What It Is
More Than a Season.
A Recognition.
The Academy Scholarship Program is Shakhtar Academy Toronto’s formal recognition program for players who demonstrate real development, discipline, commitment, and the right values throughout the season.
It is not a raffle. It is not a discount. It is the Academy seeing a player — fully — and saying: your growth this season deserves to be supported into the next one.
The evaluation happens throughout the entire season — not in a single assessment at the end.
01
A scholarship may be Full or Partial applied as an Academy credit toward the following season’s training fees.
02
The decision is made by the Academy Scholarship Review Panel not a single coach.
03
Applies to The Next Season issued as Academy credit — not cash payment.
Not Just Performance
What We Look For in a Scholarship Candidate
We look at the full player — not only what happens with the ball, but who the player is becoming. A scholarship candidate is not necessarily the fastest or most technically gifted player in the group. They are the player who shows up, puts in the work, earns the trust of their teammates and coaches, and makes consistent progress in all the areas that matter.
There is no formula. There is no checklist a parent can fill out. The Panel reviews everything together and makes a decision based on the whole picture.
One factor stands out as a differentiator: academic standing. We are one of the few academies in the GTA that considers a player’s school performance as part of this recognition — because we believe that football should develop not just players, but responsible, motivated, and well-rounded young people.
Football Progress
Technical development, game understanding, and visible improvement in the skills the Academy prioritizes — first touch, decision-making, confidence under pressure.
Commitment & Work Ethic
Consistency, attendance, and genuine effort in every session. The player who comes ready, works hard, and does not give up when things are difficult.
Discipline, Respect & Attitude
How a player treats teammates, coaches, and opponents. Discipline on the field. A positive attitude to feedback and to the process of learning.
Coachability & Team Spirit
The willingness to listen, adapt, support others, and grow within the team. A player who makes the environment around them better.
Academic Standing
Good standing at school — as a signal of responsibility, focus, and the right values beyond football. This is what separates a great playerfrom a great young person.
Academic standing is part of our scholarship criteria.
We Develop Players. And People.
Most youth academies in the GTA evaluate players purely on what they do on the field. We think that is too narrow. The same qualities that make a great student — focus, discipline, consistency, and the ability to keep going when things are hard — are exactly the qualities that make a great footballer.
When a player performs well on the field and takes their responsibilities seriously off it, that is the profile Shakhtar Academy Toronto wants to recognize and support.
Season Timeline
From First Session to Scholarship Decision
01
Season Begins
Every player starts with a clean slate. Coaches begin observing and evaluating from the first session — not just at the end.
02
Evaluation Period
Throughout the season, the coaching team builds a full picture of each player’s progress, effort, attitude, and development.
03
Panel Review
At season end, the Academy Scholarship Review Panel meets to review candidates holistically and makes the final decision.
04
Scholarship Applied
Selected families are notified. The scholarship — full or partial — is applied as an Academy credit toward the following season.
DISCLAIMER:
The Shakhtar Academy Toronto Scholarship Recognition Program is a discretionary program operated at the sole discretion of Shakhtar Academy Toronto. Scholarships are limited in number and are not guaranteed in any given season or program cycle. The Academy Scholarship Review Committee may choose to award one or more scholarships, or may choose not to award any scholarships, in any given season.
Scholarship consideration is based on a holistic review of the player’s development, commitment, effort, attitude, academy values, academic standing, and overall readiness. No single factor entitles a player to a scholarship. Scholarship consideration is not based on any specific checklist of criteria and does not create any obligation on the part of the Academy.
Scholarships, if awarded, are issued exclusively as Academy credit toward future training fees for the following season or program cycle. Scholarship credits have no cash value, are non-transferable, and cannot be exchanged for a refund, cash payment, or any other benefit. Scholarship credits may not be applied retroactively or toward any current or outstanding fees.
Scholarship decisions are made by the Academy Scholarship Review Committee and are final. Academic information, if requested as part of the review process, will be handled privately and confidentially. The Academy may modify, suspend, or discontinue the Scholarship Recognition Program at any time and at its sole discretion, without prior notice.
Join the Academy
Development Starts This Season.
Every scholarship journey begins with the first training session. Explore our programs or book a free tryout to see what Shakhtar Academy Toronto is about.