TORONTO – It was a milestone for Toronto FC when Doneil Henry, then 17, grew to become its first homegrown participant again in August 2010.
“A type of reminiscences that may at all times stay,” mentioned Earl Cochrane, then director of the fledgling TFC academy.
As Toronto had solely began play in 2007, it had been given the OK to take its youth program slowly by Main League Soccer. However the membership and proprietor Maple Leaf Sports activities and Leisure needed to do it ahead of later.
“They had been all on board,” mentioned Cochrane mentioned of the MLSE board.
Cochrane, who went on to turn into TFC’s common supervisor and managing director of soccer in addition to Canada Soccer’s common secretary, recollects speaking to Brian Burke and Bryan Colangelo, then GMs of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Raptors, respectively, in regards to the thought of a youth academy.
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“I can keep in mind them being super-jealous in regards to the thought,” Cochrane mentioned.
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Henry was this system’s first graduate.
The Toronto academy opened in 2008 with Henry becoming a member of in November that 12 months after being launched by the Ontario Soccer Affiliation’s provincial program. The defender grew to become captain of the junior crew and was promoted to the senior academy in November 2009.
9 months later Cochrane, with contract in hand, made the drive to suburban Brampton.
“I can nonetheless keep in mind sitting with Doneil and his dad and mom on the eating room desk, with paperwork out — explaining what was going to be taking place. How momentous this was going to be not only for the academy however the crew itself — soccer in Canada. I keep in mind seeing how excited they had been on the (signing) announcement.”
Quick ahead 16 years and TFC is now as much as 37 homegrown gamers, with 16-year-old defender Stefan Kapor the newest (in October 2025).
Henry went on to make 101 appearances in his two stints with TFC. He additionally performed in England for West Ham and Blackburn Rovers, in Denmark for AC Horsens, in South Korea with Suwon Samsung Bluewings, and had MLS stints with the Vancouver Whitecaps, Los Angeles FC and Minnesota United along with a USL mortgage spell with the Ottawa Fury.
On the worldwide entrance, he received 44 caps for Canada.
Henry retired after making 14 appearances for Halifax Wanderers within the 2023 Canadian Premier League season.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Jan. 9, 2026
© 2026 The Canadian Press
