Our Gallery

Contact Info

27 Division St, New York, NY 10002, USA

+1 (044) 123 456 789

info@example.com

Our Team

Founding Officers

FOUNDING

OFFICERS

DR. ANDREW PETERS
Founding Partner, President & Chair
ERIN FORMAN
Senior Vice President, Director of Programs

Directors & Coordinators

DIRECTORS &

COORDINATORS

DEE CHANNER
RS Associate Director
MATT KING
Regional Director
LYNN CAMPANELLA
RS Technical Director – Play & Recess
MELISSA FAMME
RS Regional Director – Athletics & Education
VAL SEARGEANT
RS Technical Director
MORRIS PARRAS
RS Technical Director

RS Ambassadors and Staff

RS AMBASSADORS AND

STAFF

Our long list of current and former ambassadors have committed to making positive differences in communities through their active and/or past contributions in the delivery of our creative collection of community based programs, special projects, interactive workshops, innovation presentations and/or inspiring keynotes……

Adam Steiner – U Sport, Academic All Canadian, McMaster University
Akil Augustine – NBA TV, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment – Host, Producer
Angela Whyte – 3-time Olympian, Athletics
Carlos Newton – UFC Welterweight Champion
Carrie-Leigh Thomas – Softball Canada, PAN AM Games, Syracuse University
Charles Kissi – NBA G-League, Head Coach, Raptors 905, Indiana Mad Ants
Chelsea Aubry – Olympian, Canada Basketball, Olympian, WNBL National Champion
Chelsea D’Avilar – Great Britain National Softball, NFCA All American Scholar Athlete
Chris Markou – CIS All Canadian Soccer. Technical Director, Ancaster Soccer
Christine Parris – Olympian, Softball Canada, UNLV Women’s Softball Team
Daniel Hocevar – U Sport, Men’s Varsity Football, University of Guelph
Erika Polidori – Olympian, Softball Canada, PAN AM Games, Oakland University
Geoff Hewick – CIS Athletics, University of Windsor
Janet Cobbs – Mulholland – Olympian, USA National Team
Jarrett Smith – CFL, Grey Cup Champion, All Canadian CIS
Jayme Sky – Women’s Varsity Softball, University of Syracuse
Joe Raso – CEBL, Director of Basketball Operations, NBA Advanced Scout
John Avery – NFL – First Round Draft Pick – Miami Dolphins
Johnny Powless – National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Keenan Lewis Jepessen – Basketball Canada, Associate Director – McMaster Athletics
Kobi Ofuokwu, U Sport, Men’s Varsity Football, University of Guelph
Leo Stouros – NLL, Georgia Swarm – Colgate Lacrosse
Logan White – Softball Canada, Wayne State University
Maddie Kelly – Olympian, Athletics
Mark Hominic – UFC competitor, TKO Featherweight Champion
Marshall Powless, National Lacrosse League (NLL) 
Michael DiCroce – U Sport, All Canadian, Men’s Varsity Football, McMaster University
Milt Ottey – 2-time Olympian, Pan AM Games, Athletics
Miranda Daniels – League 1 Women’s Soccer – Head Coach
Nick Mardner, NCAA Division 1 Football, University of Hawaii, University of Auburn
Pam Danis, SFU Women’s Basketball, Assistant Coach, former U of Manitoba, Head Coach
Patrick Tate – Men’s Varsity Basketball – Head Coach
Shawn Francis – U Sport, Men’s Varsity Basketball, McMaster University
Sheldon Cassimy – Men’s Varsity Basketball – Assistant Coach
Taylor Robblee – NFCA All-American, California University of Pennsylvania
Titus Channer – Basketball Canada U Sport, All Canadian, CIS Athlete of the Year

Indigenous Education Ambassadors

INDIGENOUS EDUCATION

AMBASSADORS

We continue to work closely with a community of gifted and knowledgeable individuals in designing delivering our authentic and engaging series of workshops, presentations and special events that share and showcase Indigenous cultures, while raising awareness, empowering respectful connections, and building bridges on the road toward reconciliation. We have had the pleasure of working with a long and growing list of Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and other respected community members and authorities who guide us in this important process, but the following individuals have been instrumental in our positive progresses and we wish to acknowledge their significant past, present and/or ongoing contributions and collaborations.

Alyssa General
Andrea King
Bo Henhawk
Cam Hill
Christina Bomberry

Jai King
Johnny Powless
Jamie Sky
Karl King (now with us in Spirit) 
Kaytee Dalton

Marshall Powless

Max King (now with us in Spirit) 
Peter Schuller
Tia Schindler
Val King

Rising Stars

MORRIS PARRAS

RS Technical Director

Brock University, NCCP Level III

SPECIALTIES

*Soccer Development
*Sport Promotion

VAL SEARGEANT

RS Technical Director

Humber College, Dip.
NCCP – Physical Literacy, Master Trainer
Athletics Ontario – RJTW, Master Trainer

SPECIALTIES

*Track & Field  
*Athletic Development

As a Technical Director at Rising Stars, Val coordinates both recreation and competitive track and field programs in support of youth, students-athletes and athletes of all abilities.

As a former elite athlete, Val competed and set records in both track and field events.  He is a two-time member of the Canadian National Track and Field Team, and a former Barbados 110mH National Champion.  Val is a Run Jump Throw Wheel Facilitator for Athletics Ontario, the recognized provincial sport organization for Track & Field, Cross Country, and Road Racing in Ontario.  Val is the founder and head coach of Stoney Creek Athletics and the Track & Field Coordinator for the International CANUSA Games.  He also currently serves as the Head Para Athletics Coach for the Hamilton Olympic Club.

MELISSA FAMME

RS Regional Director – Athletics & Education

Waterloo University, BA
Lakehead University B.Ed, M. Ed

NCAA: Referee/Official
High Five: Principles of Healthy Child Development
Sport for Life: Physical Literacy for Early Childhood

SPECIALTIES

Sport Development 
Youth Development

LYNN CAMPANELLA

RS Technical Director – Play & Recess

NCCP: Coaches Physical Literacy Training

SPECIALTIES

Play & Recreation
Recess Programming

High Five: Principles of Healthy Child Development
Sport for Life: Physical Literacy Instructor Program
Sport for Life: Physical Literacy for Early Childhood
Member of the US Play Coalition (Since 2011)
Founder of the Canadian Play Network
Creator of the PlanetPlay Stencil line

MATT KING

Regional Director

Lakehead University, B.A.
University of Newcastle – Australia, B.Ed
Specialist PE & Health

SPECIALTIES

*Indigenous Education
*Youth & Sport Development

As a Regional Director with Rising Stars, Matt coordinates and facilitates various programs across both our athletics and education divisions. He currently serves as the Director of Rising Stars Basketball Academy Six Nations.

Matt King grew up as an all star athlete. He played NAIG for Team Ontario, and represented Ontario at National Aboriginal basketball camp, where he was selected MVP. Matt competed as a varsity athlete for the Mens Basketball Team at Laurier and Lakehead Universities, and went on to coach U Sport at both Lakehead and Guelph. Matt continued his education and began a professional career as a certified teacher. After ten years of dedicated service as a teacher, coach and Athletic Director (Chair) with the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, Matt embarked on a new professional adventure, while continuing to compete in triathlons and Iron-Man races. As a Regional Director with Rising Stars, Matt coordinates and facilitates various programs across both our athletics and education divisions. Matt specializes in facilitating programs and instruction for youth, students, and athletes, both on and off reserve. He currently serves as the Director of Rising Stars Basketball Academy – Six Nations.

DEE CHANNER

RS Associate Director

Laurier University, B.A.
Queensland University of Technology – Australia, B.Ed,

SPECIALTIES

*Basketball Development
*Indigenous Education

As an Associate Director at Rising Stars, Dee coordinates programs both in the athletics and education divisions in support of youth, students, and athletes, both on and off reserves.

Delicia Channer competed as a varsity athlete for Laurier University Women’s Basketball Team, where she was the team captain and a division all star. Dee continued her education and began a professional career as a certified teacher. Dee now serves as an Associate Director with Rising Stars. She is a LEAD Facilitator for Indigenous projects, programs, and services. In this role, Dee facilities creative programs and workshops that promote Indigenous awareness and empowerment. As Rising Stars most Senior Programs Instructor & Facilitator, Dee coordinates programs in both the athletics and education divisions. Dee specializes in facilitating programs and instruction for youth, students, and athletes, both on and off reserve. She currently serves as the Head Coach for the Conestoga College Women’s Basketball team.

ERIN FORMAN

Senior Vice President, Director of Programs

Spring Arbor University, BSc Concurrent Education
Specialist Sport Science

SPECIALTIES

* Female Empowerment
* Sport Development

As the Senior Vice President at Rising Stars Athletics & Education, Erin serves as the General Manager of the Education Division. Erin facilitates Advanced Programs and Instruction for administrators, coaches, and teachers. Erin develops and designs programs and curriculum for student engagement and athlete development.

Erin Forman is former member of both Softball Canada’s National team program and Baseball Canada’s National Team. She played in the 2004 Women’s World Series in Japan, and the 2006 World Cup in Taipei. Erin was named All American, All Conference, and Player of the Year, while playing on a U.S. Softball Scholarship. She was recently  inducted into the hall of fame for her achievements in sport. Though Erin’s sport specific bio clearly demonstrates an extensive combination of all around athleticism and personal achievement in softball that very few athletes can claim, equally impressive is her continued commitment to helping others achieve their goals through sport and education in her professional endeavours. Erin serves as role model in her trade and community. She demonstrates an unwavering commitment to making positive differences in the lives of others.

Erin continues to use sport as a vehicle to empower others in the work she does in coaching, and also in her professional endeavours. As a founding partner and Director of Softball Development at Rising Stars, Erin has become one of the most highly sought teachers and coaches of the game. Erin is on the cutting edge of instructional techniques, tools, and theories for optimal development. She has worked with countless local and regional athletes, supporting aspiring student-athletes as they continue in their positive development and successfully pursue opportunities to play college or university ball in Canada, and/or secure U.S. softball scholarships, with many advancing to become provincial and national calibre softball players.

DR. ANDREW PETERS

Founding Partner, President & Chair

McMaster University, B.A., M.A
University of Western Ontario – Ph.D

SPECIALTIES

*Leadership & Empowerment
*Youth & Community Development

As the original Founding Partner of what would eventually become the Rising Stars Group of companies, Dr Peters has been instrumental in the continued expansion and reach of positive sport, youth, and community development programs and special projects.

From early beginnings as a competitive student athlete in the Hamilton region, and many local achievements and recognitions at the secondary level, Dr Peters went on to compete as a varsity athlete for McMaster University, winning numerous regional, provincial and national medals as a member of the Men’s Basketball Team. Dr Peters earned both a B.A., and M.A. at McMaster University, and went on to acquire a teaching certificate from D’Youville College, and a Ph.D. at the University of Western Ontario. These formative years laid the foundation for what would eventually become Rising Stars Athletics and Education.

He continues to serve as the conglomerate’s most senior executive, with 25 years of success in youth and community development through athletics and education. He continues to leverage his passion and extensive experience to engage youth and community in a positive and healthy development.

Dr. Peters devotes his time and energy to creating and partnering with stakeholders in the facilitation of innovative student and athlete development programs. Through strategic partnerships with national, professional, and elite athletes, coaches, sport science professionals, and educators, Dr Peters continues to collaborate with local organizations and expand through offering a variety of programs designed specifically for the benefit of athletes, students, schools, and communities.