Gavin Hollett
(CEO)

Duncan Penn
(Senior Executive)

Andrew Pike
(Senior Executive)

Evan Peterson
(Soccer Relations & Website)

Andrew Brownlee
(The OA Shop)

Roberto Prieto
(OA Ambassador & Project Ecuador)

Chris Newcombe
(OA Soccer Camps)

Jason Arruda
(Communications Ambassador)

Brenden Smith
(OA Ambassador)

——

Gavin Hollett

OA Role: Founder and Executive Director

email: gavinhollett@gmail.com

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.

——

Duncan Penn

OA Role: Senior Executive of Corporate Relations and Media

email: duncanpenn@gmail.com

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.

——-

Andrew Pike

OA Role: Senior Executive of Victoria Operations

email: andrew.dm.pike@gmail.com

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.

———

Evan Peterson

OA Role: Head of Soccer Relations & Webmaster/Writer

email: evanfpeterson@gmail.com

Upon graduating from UVic in 2007, Evan decided to take an indefinite amount of time away from academia in order to explore other areas of interest, to further his contributions to OA, and to maintain his heavy involvement with the local soccer community.

During his undergraduate years, Evan has backpacked on five continents, keenly experiencing soccer in nearly 20 countries, from the grassroots to the professional levels. This participation led to his appreciation for the ‘Beautiful Game’ as an instrument of change.

In turn, Evan joined OA in order to support an idea and a group of people that he believes in.

He also tends to the OA sheep.

———–

Andrew Brownlee

OA Role: The OA Shop

email: brownleeandrew@gmail.com

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.

——-

Roberto Prieto

OA Role: OA Ambassador and Project Ecuador

email: roberto.a.prieto@gmail.com

Born in Bogota, Colombia, Roberto recently graduated from UVic in Biochemistry, having moved to Victoria in 1998. Like most Colombians, Roberto enjoys all sports but is a fanatic for soccer.

His experiences on and off the field, in North and South America, have allowed him to realize the positive impact and importance of sport and recreation on the mental health of youth. As a result, he is compelled to make soccer more available to underprivileged children in developing countries.

He also knits the OA mittens.

——-

Chris Newcombe

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.

——

Jason Arruda

OA Role: Communications Ambassador

email: jasonjarruda@gmail.com

A UVic Political Science graduate, Jason currently finds himself in a job related to his education, at the legislature, in Victoria. He has spent most of his life being involved with Victoria’s soccer community, as a player and a coach.

Jason joined OA, because he feels strongly about helping others feel as blessed as he does.

He also leads the OA morning yoga.

———-

Brenden Smith

OA Role: OA Ambassador

email: brendencsmith@gmail.com

A current Biochemistry and Ocean Science student, at UVic, Brenden’s passion for sport and travel has provided him with many important life experiences.

Having already spent time living and playing rugby in Ireland, Brenden’s most catalyzing international experience came during a trip to Essaouira, Morocco: Playing soccer on the beach, hour after hour, with the local children earned Brenden an immense appreciation for soccer, both as a (the) beautiful game and as a powerful social tool. This insight in hand, he soon jumped on the opportunity to join OA.

In 2007, Brenden traveled to South America for OA’s Project Ecuador. He believes that this initial exposure to international aid work has set him on a path for many years to come.

He also grinds the OA coffee beans.