My name is Grayson (Gray) Tedford and I am a young aspiring soccer player looking to make it to the highest levels of competition, with the drive to get there!
Current: I am on an international/ Euro experience and was finally able to complete my offer and accept a position with a u19 Scholars Academy in the UK and since achieved the level of 2025 Youth Development League Southern Premier Division Champions, League Cup Champions and Nationals Champions (2025 Treble!). Wrapping up Year 1 with EMC at the KOMM MIT, Copa Cataluña - Tournament in Barcelona, before returning back to Canada for off season training and recovery for a fall return to EMC.
I made the decision to leave the OPDL to further my soccer career through more focused professional training and development. So far the test is exactly what I wanted and thrive in. Arriving in mid Feb, I was able to support EMC Scholars run to the treble by contributing with 3G 6A through 14 Games/ all competitions. Far more to come from me in year 2!
A brief Summary of My time in soccer: I began when I was 5 and it was while playing competitive soccer for Tillsonburg Minor Soccer that I learned that I wanted to pursue a more competitive and challenging path to help me meet my goals of playing at a professional level. I made the choice to move to Whitecaps London FC, where I played for five years as starter and captain for the u13, u14, u15, u16 OPDL Boys teams (OPDL is the Top you soccer league in Canada). I also continued to push my development through extra practice and playing time with the older mens teams and was selected to the Ontario Xcel Provincial screening trials/program, Soccer Ontario Gatorade 5 v 5 Tournament, as well as, the 2023 & 2024 Vancouver Whitecaps FC National Combine Player Showcase in Vancouver BC.
During my time in soccer, I have always remained fully committed to my development within club program(s), as well as, with private academy skills training and camps. My focus is always to grow and enhance my skills, knowledge and versatility within the game and to become the most well rounded and complete player possible. Being willing and able to step into any position is something I believe in and am always willing to do what is required to help my team on and off the field. I have played prominent roles, as CB/CDM and have recently transitioned into my more natural CM/CAM position over the past year. Being versatile and wanting to experience different areas of the game, not only helps me become a better player, but it also allows me to become a better teammate and leader. Being able to lead from experience allows me to better help my teammates during practice and in games. I take pride in being able to help others excel to be their best, and I am always willing to offer and accept feedback, and assist with any corrections when I am able to or when I am asked. I also volunteered my time for the 2023 summer, as a coach/ mentor with the FutureCaps program, helping new young players start their soccer journeys.
My personality and drive makes sure that I am serious and working my hardest anytime I am on the field for practice or games, but to always remain as positive as possible and have an upbeat attitude. My tendencies are to lead by example and this includes being accountable, offering constructive feedback and to keep things fun and positive at all times for players and coaches. Being a good communicator and socially adaptable are some of my key strengths and I love being around my teammates, coaches, and people in general.
As for post secondary education, I am still undecided, but I am heavily interested in remaining in sports in some way regardless. I am very interested in Sports management, marketing and sciences. If I was to work outside of sports, I would be interested in other business management programs, or computer programming/ design and/or the hospitality industry possibly.
Thanks for taking the time to learn a little more about me!
Statistic | 2025 EMC Academy - | 2025 Rusthall FC - | 2024 Whitecaps Lond |
---|---|---|---|
Goals | 3 | 1 | 3 |
Assists | 6 | 1 | 16 |
Games Played | 14 (late season arrival - stats from full combined games/mins - late Feb - June) | 3 (additional team late arrival - Feb - Jun - First Team training and additional support) | 20 (partial 2025 Season - before transitioning to club opportunity) |