Oakley Cooper

Next Level U Statement

I am a football player who is currently in grade 12. I am interested in continuing to play at the highest level after high school and would like to do that at a Canadian or US College where I can study business (Sports Business/Sports Management). I have a background as an elite futsal player which has helped me develop a high level of technical ability and game awareness. Although I am primarily a RB/CB/LB I am comfortable playing anywhere on the field (CDM/CM/CAM) and understand the tactical and positional responsibilities wherever I am asked to play. This past season I played primarily as a ball moving CB and RB. My aim is to play as many minutes as possible and to win every time I have a match.

I have just joined the Canadian Premier League’s Halifax Wanderers Development Academy and am playing with their U21 & U18 teams for the 2026 season. Previously, I joined Dutch Connections Football Club in late 2022 and worked my way to becoming a starter and important player for the Orange team (2nd team) during the 2023 indoor and outdoor seasons. In 2024 I was promoted to the 2008 Black team (1st team) and by the fall was starting regularly, playing 60-75 mins per match. I spent 2025 playing for The Borough FC League 1 Ontario U20 team.

In April 2026 I joined the Wanderers development group and moved to Halifax, living on my own and finishing my high school online while training and playing in a professional academy. My goal is to continue to start and play 90 minutes on a regular basis on the U18 and U21 teams. My long term goal is to play as a U21 on the senior mens team in a CPL match and then eventually play regularly in the CPL, MLS or abroad.

Oakley Cooper, Halifax Wanderers U18 & U21

Instagram – @oakley.cooperr

https://www.youtube.com/@OakleyCooperFootball