tbpredlogoTeam Play Better are elite pro athletes who connect with youth teams and coaches to inspire them to reach their goals as players and as people.

Jay DeMerit

Jay DeMerit

Former Whitecaps Captain
“A key component in youth development is to teach kids how to be good teammates, good leaders, and good people — in addition to technical skills. Play Better teaches all of these things.”
 
  • Famous signing and captain with the Vancouver Whitecaps
  • Started all four games for the USA in the 2010 South African World Cup
  • Captain for Watford FC: A leader of men who dictated a historical run into the English Premiership
  • Married to Olympic Gold Medalist Ashleigh McIvor
Russell Teibert

Russell Teibert

Midfield, Vancouver Whitecaps FC
"I'm really excited to be a Team Play Better member. This program is amazing and offers an authentic way to improve youth sporting culture at the grassroots level. Coaches get on it!"
 
  • Vancouver Whitecaps famous young Canadian and current Canadian National team member
  • His tireless work rate on the pitch, hairstyles, and swagger has made him the young face of Canadian soccer
  • Nicknamed “Rusty” he always takes the time to give back in the community
Janine Beckie

Janine Beckie

Forward, Canadian Women's National team member
"Play Better gives kids the opportunity to play the sports they are passionate about for a cause greater than themselves."
 
  • Current member of the Houston Dash
  • She'll be on the flight representing Canada at the upcoming Olympics in Brazil
  • Played lights out during her time at the University of Texas and was recognized by being selected 8th overall in the 2016 NWSL draft by the Houston Dash
  • This young Canadians career is just starting to take off
Jason Devos

Jason Devos

Current, TSN Analyst
"Play Better is the first of it's kind. It educates kids about the values of helping others while learning how to become technically proficient soccer players."
 
  • One of today's leading soccer analysts for TSN and member of the National women's coaching staff
  • Was a giant center back and, both a leader and captian, for the Canadian National team for half a decade
  • Spent a decade playing pro in Scotland and England: Darlington, Dundee United, Wigan Athletic, Ipswich Town
  • Named to the all-time Canada XI men's team / Gold Cup winner and CSA soccer hall of fame member
Stuart Holden

Stuart Holden

Current, FOX soccer analyst
  • His professional career has been outstanding and arguably has one of the strongest CV’s of any American born player
  • Played for the USA in the 2010 South African World Cup and at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics
  • Played for various top level clubs in the USA and England: Houston Dynamo, Bolton Wanderers, Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday
  • Today you can find him on FOX analyzing various MLS games
Jeb Brovsky

Jeb Brovsky

Defender, Minnesota United, NASL
"Soccer touches all corners of the Earth and it has the power to affect the most people and youth."
 
  • Selected 19th overall by the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS SuperDraft
  • His professional career has already brought him to: Colorado Rapids, Vancouver Whitecaps, Montreal Impact, NYC, Minnesota United
  • Last year he signed with the New York City FC playing with Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo, and David Villa. 
  • Award winning humanitarian and ambassador for the MLS
Drew Beckie

Drew Beckie

Defender, Carolina RailHawks, NASL
"Soccer is a connector, it's the world's game. Through soccer you can educate on many levels."
 
  • Drew is in the process of starting a group for kids who have lost a parent called W.I.N.G.S (Walking in Grief’s Shadow)
  • Worked with Ambassadors Football in various country in Africa
  • Drafted 28th overall by the Columbus Crew in the 2013
  • Still a young professional in the game various club already include: Real Colorado Foxes, Ottawa Fury, Columbus Crew, Carolina RailHawks
Christine Nairn

Christine Nairn

Midfield, Washington Spirit
"Kids need to play lots of different sports. Playing other sports connected me to friends outside of the soccer world."
 
  • Christine went to Pennsylvania State University, majoring in Communications.
  • Nairn was a three-time All-State selection, an NSCAA/adidas All-American from 2005–08, and the Gatorade Maryland State Player of the Year from 2005–07
  • She played in all six games for the team that won the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Chile
John O’Sullivan

John O’Sullivan

Founder, Changing the Game Project
"Many organizations preach values but their actions don't match their words. Play Better holds accountability to people's actions in such an authentic way."
 
  • Author of the #1 bestselling books Changing the Game: The Parents Guide to Raising Happy, High Performing Athletes, and Giving Youth Sports Back to our Kids and Is it Wise to Specialize?
  • He holds his USSF A License, NSCAA Advanced National Diploma, and US Youth Soccer National Youth Coaching License
Lauren Sesselmann

Lauren Sesselmann

Defense, Houston Dash
"Play Better creates better playing conditions and overall youth development for kids."
 
  • Selected by the Houston Dash with the third pick in the 2014 NWSL Expansion Draft
  • Member of the Canadian Women's Olympic team, she started all six matches earning a bronze medal 
  • Education: BA in Marketing Communications from Purdue University
  • Played in the professional game for years: Steel City Sparks, F.C. Indiana, Sky Blue FC, Atlanta Beat, FC Kansas City, Houston Dash
Heath Pierce

Heath Pierce

Current Host for KICK TV
"We need to keep kids in sport. The kids I played with growing up are still my closest friends today."
 
  • Played University Soccer for the Portland Pilots which set him up for an illustrious professional career
  • Spent over a decade as a professional playing in Europe and the USA: FC Nordsjælland, Hansa Rostock, FC Dallas, Chivas USA, NY Red Bulls, Montreal Impact, IFK Goteborg
  • From 2005 - 2012 he represented the USA Men's National team 32 times
  • Currently you will find him hosting KICK TV
Tiffany Weimer

Tiffany Weimer

Founder of Our Game Magazine
"Playing for something bigger than yourself is huge. Play Better helps kids get outside of their little world, it's amazing."
 
  • In 1999 her club team won the National Championship where she personally won the Adidas Golden Boot Award.  Not too shabby for a 16 year old
  • She’s played a decade in the game at various professional clubs in Canada, the USA, and Europe 
  • Founder of Our Game Magazine 
  • She continues to set a fantastic example for the community 
Tori Huster

Tori Huster

Midfield, Washington Spirit
"Everyone talks about wanting to make a difference in the world. Play Better helps kids do this while becoming better players."
 
  • An ambassador for The Young and Brave Cancer Foundation
  • Throughout her collegiate career, she scored 20 goals and served 19 assists in her 92 appearances with the Seminoles
  • Her professional career has already taken her to various professional clubs in across the globe: Western New York Flash, Newcastle Jets, Washington Spirit, Western Sydney Wanderers
  • Represented the United States at the U-23 level. Called up to the full US team against France and England in 2015

Connecting Teams And Their Heroes

Play better connects young athletes with their role models who support them in their goals on and off the field. Through Chimp, young teams set up their page and decide on a charity to contribute to, and star athletes take notice! Through Chimp and Play Better, athletes contribute to youth sports teams achieving their goals, send inspiring messages, and connect with them, encouraging growth in young athletes.

Through Chimp, youth teams set up their page and decide on a charity to support…

team play better

…and as youth teams reach their goals, they are rewarded by Team Play Better athletes!

team play better

Team Play Better athletes send inspiring messages and encouragement to teams to reach their goals.

Team Play Better member Jay DeMerit

Strathroy Soccer U10 Groovy Girls

Be Part Of The Movement

Play Better is a Chimp Sports program.
Chimp empowers Canadians to give to or fundraise for any charity in Canada

learn more about chimp