The Ontario Tech Ridgebacks men’s soccer team completed their historic season with a win in the OUA championship game against the York Lions. The team saw success, in part, due to older players making an impact. Kairo Coore, who leds the team in goals this season, also having won Ontario Tech Athlete of the Week honours two times this season, is one of these older, more experienced players.
Leading a team in goals as they make a deep playoff run is a dream for any player, but Coore displays an uncanny ability to be a leader.
“It’s not something that you really have to work for, but with time comes wisdom, and I’ve played longer than most of the kids on the squad.”
Coore’s love of the game is apparent in the smile on his face when he talks about the sport, discusses playing at a young age, and remembers joining rep soccer. It’s clear that Coore loves scoring goals, and says he loves mentoring younger players.
He is known by his teammates and coaches as someone who connects with everybody. He goes out of his way often to make people feel welcome.
Ramin Mohammadi, the head coach of the Ridgebacks men’s soccer team, said: “He never acted like he was older, or more experienced, or a better player. He’s always down to earth.”
Coore is 23 years-old, studying for his teaching degree at Ontario Tech, a degree which suits such a social person, with such strong leadership skills.
Glodi Kabuya, a fellow forward on the Ridgebacks who was mentored by Coore, said:”With his extensive experience in the sport, he shared his own lessons from his own mistakes and humbly encouraged us to avoid repeating them, motivating us to strive for excellence instead.”
Coore, a Whitby native, has developed a natural ability to lead through the vast experiences in his soccer career. He has played at many levels, from professional, to collegiate, even spending sometime in the U.S. playing college soccer.
While playing for Saginaw Valley State, Coore struggled with limited playing time. When he got opportunities he was playing poorly, he was ready to transfer home . However, Karan Giltinen, the striker ahead of Coore on the depth chart, had an unfortunate injury and this allowed Coore one final chance to show what he could do. He started playing well, and was able to secure himself roughly 23 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 offers. This was his hope all along.
Around December of 2020, Coore received word that a coach in Nova Scotia by the name of Deano Morley wanted to chat about joining his team. Coore was reluctant but agreed to talk. Morley promised Coore he would turn him into a pro, this was enough for Coore to take the leap.
He risked a lot making the move back to Canada, a move which Coore himself looks back on as a scary one.
“I did what no-one in the right mind would do and transferred to a Canadian school. I turned down division one offers. It still kinda sounds crazy.”
Fortunately, it worked out. Coore did play professional soccer in Alberta, for Football Club (FC) Edmonton, prior to a short stint in New Zealand with Western Suburbs FC. This journey led Coore to join the Ridgebacks program. The diversity in these experiences shaped Coore into the leader he is today, allowing him to dominate at the University (U) Sports game.
Coore’s long journey helped him to further understand the importance of a team atmosphere.
Early in Coore’s career he was more focused on personal accolades, and awards like Ontario Tech Player of the Week would have been a high priority. However, since joining the Ridgebacks, Coore has shifted his focus to team success.
“My team is a very young squad,” Coore says. “I’d like to instill the bit of wisdom I have from playing abroad.”
This team-oriented mindset was clear in his response to his second Athlete of the Week award. Coore wanted to endorse his younger teammates.
“Everybody likes to be acknowledged,” Coore said. “But I already told them to give it to the younger players. It would have meant more to me in my first year of University.”
This sentiment was only echoed by current Ridgebacks teammate Alex Irwin, a defender in his second season with the Ridgebacks.
“That sounds like something he would definitely say. He’s not so focused on personal accolades. He’s more focused on the team, which is evident with his track record,” Irwin said.
Even at 23-years-old, Coore has had a long, winding path. From youth soccer, to pro soccer and all the colleges in between, the road hasn’t been straight. But the challenges presented along the way have made Coore a stronger player and person.
He has been able to draw on experiences to become a leader in the Ontario Tech program. Coore loves to teach, whether it’s pursuing his teaching degree, or aiding younger teammates, it’s clearly his passion.