Frank DeChellis, head coach of the Niagara College men's and women's soccer program has been named the 2014 Niagara Sport Awards 'Champion of Sport' award winner. DeChellis earned the award at the second annual Sport Niagara Awards Breakfast hosted by Lookout Point Country Club in Fenwick.
The Champion of Sport award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding commitment and has contributed significantly to their sport in the Niagara Region.
"I don't love soccer, I love people. Soccer is something I know very well and it enables me to spend time with very nice people. That lesson is something I learned from my dad" said DeChellis. He continued "championing a sport means always keeping things positive and sharing knowledge. My parents kept sports positive for us when we were young, and I hope our sons feel that Lisa and I are doing the same."
DeChellis has been an active member of the Niagara soccer community for almost 30 years. He is former technical and board director with the Welland Soccer Club, he serves as a Coaching Education Learning Facilitator for the Ontario Soccer Association, and is the current head coach of the Niagara College men's and women's soccer programs.
DeChellis has also been involved with the coaching and player development of countless grassroots teams and programs across the Niagara Region. He continued "we have a good community in Niagara Region soccer. It's not about facilities or brand name of the track suit, it's about kids having fun and learning. It really is enjoyable to be a part of that."
Since being named head coach the Niagara College men's and women's soccer programs in 2012, DeChellis and the Knights have been focussing on grassroots and high performance soccer initiatives across the Niagara Region.
"My affiliation with Niagara College, the Welland Soccer Club and Ontario Soccer Association makes it easy to reach out and do what I enjoy doing. The high-performance culture being bred at the College has a clear component of community outreach which makes the school a good fit for me" said DeChellis. "Niagara College has been supportive of the outside work that we do as a program, and we intend to continue growing that every year."
Up next for DeChellis and the rest of the Niagara College soccer program is the first Niagara Region Soccer Showcase, presented by the Niagara College Knights on June 12th. The event will see 60 high-school soccer all-stars brought together for two exhibition matches at 6 and 8:00pm at Youngs Sportsplex.
