No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or promotions are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe,

Two more days remain before this fundraiser closes. The fundraiser will officially close on Saturday, January 10th.

Thank you to everyone who contributed and helped make this fundraiser possible. Arshikan and his family are truly grateful and excited for his upcoming training adventure in Germany.

Please donate and share— Together, we can help lift Arshikan to the next level in his soccer playing with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to train in Germany.

Arshikan’s Journey So Far

Arshikan says he was born to play soccer. When you see him on the field it’s clear: he hasn’t just inherited his father’s passion for the sport, he’s taken it up to the next level. He trains daily and often plays up with older teams to push himself, sharpen his decision-making, and build resilience.

In August 2025, Arshikan attended the FC Bayern U19 Summer Training Program in Germany. At just 14, he was advanced from his U14 age group to train with the U19 players—a significant jump in both age and skill level. Despite the challenge, he rose to the occasion, demonstrating maturity, composure, and technical strength beyond his years. Within a single week, he moved from U14–U15 to U19 and finished as one of the Top 5 players in the U19 division. His outstanding performance on the field was matched by his academic success—maintaining a 3.9 GPA while balancing intensive training and travel. Recognizing both his athletic and academic discipline, he was invited to continue his development with the IFX Academy and Soccer City programs in Germany.

In the words of Michael Carlson, the President of IFX “We are excited to have you as a part of the IFX family and have selected you to participate because we are confident that you will represent our program and your country in a responsible and positive way.”

Arshikan and his family couldn’t be more excited about this invitation, they are all wondering if it might be an answer to their prayers —and a possible direct pathway for Arishikan to reach professional soccer, giving him access to world-class training and an environment that simply isn’t available locally.

From Canada to Germany: The Right Move for a Player Competing Beyond His Years

Training in Germany puts Arshikan inside a true high-performance ecosystem: UEFA-licensed coaching, position-specific feedback, more quality sessions and matches, and a results-driven pyramid where every game matters. His playing style also aligns well with the German system—built on quick passes, intelligent playmaking, and composure under pressure. He’s confident in underloaded situations, able to read the field and create opportunities even when outnumbered. The tempo, pressing, and tactical detail of German football accelerate decision-making and resilience, while daily immersion—locker room language, recovery routines, nutrition, punctuality—builds pro habits on and off the field.

And Canada? Canada is improving fast—MLS academies, the Canadian Premier League, and strong community clubs are raising the bar—but we still face structural gaps: a smaller elite youth talent pool with fewer teams at each tier; long travel and shorter seasons that reduce the number and intensity of high-quality matches; lighter scouting density, meaning fewer eyes at training and games; and less clearly tiered pathways from youth to reserve to senior minutes.

For a 15-year-old competing at the U19 level, those gaps are magnified: there are fewer same-calibre peers to train with daily, inconsistent game tempo week to week, and limited high-level fixtures to translate training into real decisions under pressure. Scouting exposure through OPDL can also be uneven compared with professional, club-funded pathways, where greater resources and centralized events draw more consistent recruiter attention. Without a clear development pathway, playing minutes can plateau just as physical and tactical demands rise—slowing growth at the very stage when consistent competition, feedback, and progressive challenges matter most.

What Your Gift Makes Possible

Training in Germany places Arshikan inside a true high-performance ecosystem: UEFA-licensed coaching, position-specific feedback, and a results-driven pyramid where every game matters. Soccer is the primary sport there, so his average day becomes denser with quality—more top-level teammates and opponents, more meaningful sessions and matches—compounding skill, speed of play, and decision-making.

The coaching culture bakes in video/tactical analysis and clear playing models, creating tight feedback loops that accelerate learning. European youth and U23 calendars deliver more fixtures against stronger opposition with less travel fatigue, while the continent’s scouting network keeps constant eyes on regional leagues, friendlies, and showcases—visibility that’s hard to access from Canada.

Germany’s style of play—high tempo, pressing, and quick transitions—demands faster reads and sharper execution, building instincts that translate to any modern system. Arshikan’s playing style fits naturally within that environment: quick passing, creative playmaking, and confidence even in underloaded situations.

At IFX Academy, school and training are fully integrated, creating a daily rhythm that mirrors a professional player’s life. From early morning classes to afternoon training sessions, everything is designed to support growth both on and off the field. Living with teammates deepens team cohesion, cultural understanding, and accountability—fostering maturity, discipline, and independence.

This is not a vacation; it’s a development accelerator that measurably advances Arshikan’s readiness for higher levels of play while opening real pathways toward a future in the sport he loves.

Why Your Contribution Matters

Arshikan feels deep gratitude to Canada for opening its doors to his family as Sri Lankan refugees. His parents stories of past war and danger have been juxtaposed against the homes and places where he has been given him a safe place to discover himself, grow and thrive. As a first-generation Canadian, he knows what this country has given his family—and he’s determined to honour that by giving back to his community.

Arshikan says he was made to play soccer—and his love for the game, and his instinct for it, are unmistakable. His dream is to play for the Canadian National Team. When he is on the field, he knows he isn’t playing only for himself—he’s playing for his heritage, his history, and every kid in Canada that has big dreams and limited means. With your support, Arshikan can clear financial hurdles, pursue his dream, and give back to Canada with the passion and skill forged by his love of the sport and his training.

How You Can Help

Donate any amount—every dollar makes a difference

Share this campaign with your network, teammates, and friends

Send encouragement to keep his spirits high as he takes this big step

Final Call

After years of disciplined work, Arshikan has earned his shot. At just 14, he was promoted from the U14 to the U19 division in Germany—winning his U14 group and ranking among the top five performers at the U19 level. Now, he’s been invited to return to Germany for a half year of schooling combined with advanced European soccer training—an opportunity that will deepen his development both academically and athletically. Opportunities like this are rare, and they can change the course of a young athlete’s life. Your support helps Arshikan continue that upward path, turning his potential into a life-changing reality.

About Me

My name is Michelle Hrynyk, HBA, MSW, RSW, and I’m helping Arshikan and his family raise funds for his soccer training in Germany. As a Markham-raised Registered Social Worker, I believe it’s in our community’s—and Canada’s—nature to lift up promising young people like Arshikan so they can fulfil their potential.