Football is the world’s most popular sport and perhaps the most powerful. It links communities, moves emotions and breaks down cultural barriers.

Hello, I’m Zak Drake, a former pro soccer player with professional experience in Portugal, Germany, US, Brazil, and Australia. I'm also the founder of CANXL Soccer Training in Toronto. I’m honored to have recently earned acceptance into the Master in Football Business program at the Johan Cruyff Institute in partnership with FC Barcelona.

This advanced degree gives rare access to club operations, top football industry leaders, and hands-on experiences across Europe. I plan to bring everything I learn back to Canada to strengthen player development and help raise the standard of the game in Canada.

While I was grateful to receive a scholarship with my invitation into the program, the remaining enrollment fees and expenses over the 10-months are still significant. I face a bill of roughly $25,000 CAD, which includes flights for each module, accommodation, local transit, and daily living costs.

I will be flying home between modules to stay connected to my players and continue coaching Canadian youth. That connection is core to my mission with CANXL, and your support will help me apply what I’m learning in real time to benefit the young athletes and coaches I serve.

Here’s where it gets even more impactful:

For every dollar you donate, CANXL will match it with a dollar toward training scholarships in 2026.

Meaning your support helps fund my education AND opens access to professional-level training and development for aspiring players and coaches across Canada, especially those who otherwise could not afford it.

Your contribution brings me closer to Barcelona’s classroom (literally at Camp Nou!), while continuing to train Canadian athletes at home. It helps me grow as a football leader, forge global partnerships, and launch community programs built on proven, world-class methods.

I’ll post monthly (or even weekly) updates so you can see how your generosity creates real impact. Thank you for helping soccer in Canada reach its full potential.

- Zak Drake

P.S. One of my favorite recent reviews came from a family visiting from Madrid. It means a lot because delivering European-level quality and professionalism isn’t just a goal of mine, it’s the standard I believe Canadian soccer deserves.

P.P.S. If you're not able to donate right now but have Aeroplan points or Air Miles you’d be willing to contribute, I’d be incredibly grateful. Please feel free to reach out.