Meet Our Coaches
John De Souza
National Team Coach | Former National Player | Championship-Winning Leader
With elite playing and coaching experience at the club, university, provincial, national and international level, John brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and technical expertise to AKPRO Field Hockey Schools.
🏑 Career Highlights
- ✔ 2025 FHC Canadian Hall of Fame Inductee
- ✔ 2025 Field Hockey Ontario High Performance Coach
- ✔ Assistant Coach – Varsity Blues since 1990
- ✔ 12x OUA Champion, CIS Gold (2007 & 2010)
- ✔ Former National Team Player – Canada
- ✔ Competed at 1995 Pan American Games
- ✔ Assistant Coach – 2007 Pan Am Gold, 2008 Olympic Team
- ✔ Head Coach – Men’s National Indoor Team (7th at World Cup)
- ✔ Former Board Member – Field Hockey Ontario & Field Hockey Canada
“My coaching is about discipline, teamwork, and bringing out the best in every athlete. Success starts with a strong foundation — on and off the field.”
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Ken Pereira
National Team Player | Two-Time Olympian | Mentor & Leader
Ken Pereira is one of Canada’s most celebrated field hockey players. Today, he brings his international experience and leadership to AKPRO Field Hockey School, inspiring young athletes to reach their full potential through technical mastery, discipline, and a team-first mindset.
🏑 Career Highlights
- ✔ National Team Member (1993–2016) — Most capped Canadian men’s player
- ✔ Captain, Outdoor (2009–2012) | Indoor (2003–2016)
- ✔ Olympic Games — Sydney 2000 & Beijing 2008
- ✔ World Cups — 1998 & 2010
- ✔ Indoor World Cups — 2003, 2007, 2015
- ✔ Commonwealth Games — 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010 (Flag Bearer 2010)
- ✔ Pan American Games — Gold: 1999, 2007 | Silver: 1995, 2003, 2011
- ✔ European Club Career — Dutch League & European Hockey League Champion
“Great players are built through hard work, belief, and teamwork. I want every athlete to leave the field better than when they arrived.”
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Leighton De Souza
Coach | Junior National Team Athlete
Leighton represents the new wave of Canadian field hockey — fast, technical, and fearless. At AKPRO Field Hockey, he channels his on-field experience into coaching, connecting directly with young athletes who want to elevate their game.
🏑 Career Highlights
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✔ Junior National Team Athlete — Canada
✔ 2023 Junior Pan American Championship — Barbados
✔ 2023 Junior World Cup — Malaysia
✔ 2024 Junior Pan American Championship — Surrey, Canada
✔ 2025 Junior Pan American Games
✔ Set to Compete at the 2025 Junior World Cup — India
✔ Indoor National Team Pool — 2024 Indoor Pan American Cup (Reserve)
✔ Top Scorer — Canadian Indoor Team at the Indoor Pan American Championship
✔ U18 Tournament — Top Goal Scorer & MVP
✔ Key Player — OKD Hockey Club & AKPRO Select
“I want young athletes to see what’s possible. If you bring energy, work ethic, and belief, your game can grow faster than you think.”
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