This year is Manveer Gill’s third campaign as a key part of Scrosoppi’s League1 Ontario men’s team, and he had already registered 17 appearances and more than 1,300 minutes in back-to-back regular seasons.

Gill joined John Yacou’s ranks in 2023 after coming back from a long injury, and he quickly found his feet in the starting lineup to help Scrosoppi qualify for the Men’s Premier Division ahead of League1 Ontario’s reformat to three tiers.

The 26-year-old midfielder has been playing since U10 level with Brampton Youth, before having youth spells with Mississauga Falcons, North Mississauga, and Woodbridge Strikers. He went on to play for Guelph University and League1 Ontario’s Oakville Blue Devils, and more recently starred for York University after his return to the field.

Manveer, how did your move to Scrosoppi come about?

I heard John was coaching and we have some previous experience with one another, as he coached me when I played for North Mississauga. I had always appreciated John’s approach to coaching and his values for soccer aligned with mine. 

It is really important to have a coach who understands you, and John is that type of coach. He understands my desire to constantly better myself and my love for this sport. He often feels more like a big brother to me.

How would you describe your experience with the club so far?

From the minute I started playing at Scrosoppi, I knew it was going to be a successful club. The standards held by the club can be seen in all aspects, from frequent training sessions with great coaches to a very involved management team. It always feels as though everyone has your best interest in mind, and they are always striving to help you grow. It feels like family. 

On top of having created such a great environment for its players, our success the past two years really showcases the mindset here at Scrosoppi. Everyone is committed to building something special here and that’s how I would describe my experience: as something special.

You’ve achieved a lot since joining the club; what are some of your highlights?

I have been blessed to have experienced many great moments. If I had to narrow it down to just one, it would easily be getting the chance to play in the [TELUS] Canadian Championship. Not only was it a big game for me, but it was also Scrosoppi’s debut in the competition, and I felt proud to be able to experience that opportunity with this club. 

Although the outcome was not in our favour, it was a great learning opportunity and it will only push us to work harder to get there again next year. 

The Canadian Championship was certainly a big occasion. For younger people reading, how do you prepare yourself to be on top form for matchdays?

Preparation for gameday starts the night before. This includes having a nutritious dinner and getting a good night’s sleep; I want to wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go. 

My meals for gameday are dependent on what time kick-off is; typically I have my largest meal five to six hours before kick-off and then some snacks a few hours before. Besides that, my routine is fairly simple – relaxed activities such as watching soccer games or going for a walk. A few hours before, I start visualizing the game and what I have to do on the field to be successful. In the final 10 minutes before heading out, I take time to myself and practice mindfulness to help with the anticipation of playing; this helps quiet my mind and get tuned in for the game.

What other advice would you give to young players aspiring to play high-level soccer at Scrosoppi?

Embrace the process as much as possible. Often, we get so caught up in reaching a certain level that we forget to take time and recognize the present moment, so go into every practice and game eager. Eager to learn, eager to play, eager to be better. 

Don’t forget what made you want to play at the higher level, and always take time to appreciate how far you’ve come while still striving to move forward. Also, make sure you believe in yourself. Everyone else’s opinion comes second to how you feel about yourself, and if you believe you can, there is not a single thing that can stop you from achieving your dreams.

Talking of dreams, what are your aspirations for this year?

On the field, the goal is always to win the league and make it back to the Canadian Championship next year. Off the field, I would love to assist with the growth of the club, and be a part of the reason Scrosoppi continues to be successful and reach newer heights. 

Something new to me this year is the responsibility of taking a leadership role. As one of the older guys on the team, it is my responsibility to set the standard for the younger guys and assist with their growth as well. I look forward to continuing this role as we progress through the season.