OA Team
Gavin Hollett
(Executive Director)
Andrew Pike
(Senior Director and Head Coach)
Evan Peterson
(Soccer Relations & Website)
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OA Role: Founder and Executive Director
email: gavin@oaprojects.org
After graduating in 2006 with a B.Sc. in Biochemistry and Spanish, Gavin spent the first eight months of 2007 volunteering, traveling, and working, all over the world – from as far south as Argentina to as far north as the Yukon. In recent years, when he has not been studying or globetrotting, Gavin has devoted much of his time to coaching youth soccer, in Victoria.
During his travels and coaching experiences, Gavin developed an impassioned awareness of the enormous positive impact that soccer has on youth, worldwide. This knowledge provides him with an intimate understanding of the significance of OA projects.
He is currently getting settled in his new home , in Vancouver, BC, where he hopes to propel OA to a higher level of action and involvement that will allow them to continue to create opportunities for people around the world.
“My vision is to see OA grow into a leading charitable organization, by providing donors with tangible and meaningful ways to interact with the recipients of their generous donations through the use of today’s communication media.”
He also waters the OA flowers.
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OA Role: Senior Director
In 2006, Duncan graduated with a degree in Commerce from the John Molson School of Business, in Montreal. After graduating, Duncan found himself disillusioned with life and his generation. As a result, he spent 2007 balancing his time between launching a production company out of Victoria and traveling the world.
Through his travels and experiences, Duncan has developed an immense optimism not only in his generation but also in the power of people as a whole. He has seen, first hand, the power that small differences can make on large events.
“It’s no secret that our generation has huge responsibilities moving forward. I see OA as a perfect vehicle for connecting our generation to many of these responsibilities.
Through mediums such as film, pod casts and video journals, we want to offer donors not only a ‘real’ way of tracing their support but also offer a radical transparency into our organization.”
He also bakes the OA brownies.
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OA Role: Senior Director and Head Coach
email: andrewpike@oaprojects.org
Andrew completed his History degree with a minor in Greek and Roman Studies at the University of Victoria, in 2006. While his studies kept him in the past, his vision is to the future and to helping OA move to the next level.
Heavily involved with the Victoria soccer community as both a coach and a player, soccer is a huge part of daily life for Andrew. His unique experiences coaching and working with OA have given him an intimate understanding of the role that soccer can play in youth development.
Andrew has also been fortunate enough over the past couple of years to travel to many places in the world, like Europe and South America, most recently travelling with OA as they completed Project Ecuador. This global wandering has opened Andrew’s eyes to the role that soccer plays around the world.
“I believe that OA can become one of the leading neo-charities in Canada, and the world. Soccer’s simplicity and universal appeal lends itself perfectly as a tool for creating equal opportunities and global awareness.”
He also drives the OA bus.
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OA Role: Soccer Relations & Writer
email: evan@oaprojects.org
A graduate of the University of Victoria (2007), Evan brings his wealth of soccer knowledge and coaching experience to the OA community. Having experienced soccer in nearly 20 countries, from the grassroots to the professional levels, Evan has a keen appreciation of the ‘Beautiful Game’ as an instrument of change. As a result, he is proud to support the idea and the people that are OA.
Currently, you can find him in… well, somewhere else by now
He also tends to the OA sheep.
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OA Role: The OA Shop
email: shop@oaprojects.org
Andrew graduated with a degree in Biochemistry from the University of Victoria, in 2005. He spent the following two years traveling and earning money to travel.
One of Andrew’s trips took him to South America for OA’s Project Ecuador. Throughout his journeys, he has had many unforgettable experiences and learned a great deal: most importantly, the power and boundless potential of aid work.
Andrew is currently studying at the University College Dublin, but his heart remains in Victoria and with Opportunitas Aequa.
Andrew is quick to point out that his passion for soccer far outweighs his know-how or technical ability. As a result, he has taken on a variety of tasks within OA, including the lead role for OA Clothing Co.
He also bends the OA bonzai.
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OA Role: Projects Liaison
email: erin@oaprojects.org
Erin graduated from UVic in 2006 and then spent nine months on an internship in Uganda working on landmine survivor support and youth peacebuilding projects. When she returned to Victoria, she struggled to find a way to use her experiences and her desire to contribute positively to world….until a friend e-mailed her the OA introduction video.
Having seen the joy soccer brought to children and youth amidst the war in Uganda, it didn’t take much to convince Erin that OA was where she wanted to be. Since Erin is proof that growing up in a soccer family only results in a love of the game not necessarily skill, she contributes more to the project coordination side of OA’s operations. She joined OA because she believes in the idea that we can all contribute to a better future globally.
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OA Role: Project Leader of OA Soccer Camps (i.e., our home-based good Samaritan)
email: c.h.newcombe@gmail.com
Born and raised in Victoria, Chris is keenly aware of his privileged position in our increasingly global ‘neighbourhood.’
Having taken up an interest in soccer at a relatively late stage in life, Chris is low on technical prowess but high on the belief that active, group sport can positively impact both body and mind, promoting individuals to be their best.
After graduating from the University of Victoria with a B.Sc. in Microbiology, Chris joined OA for a chance to work alongside dedicated, extremely competent people who share his view that everyday people, everywhere, have the potential to inspire positive change.
Chris is currently studying at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario.
He also cleans the OA crockery.
