Beautiful game connects Burlington MBAs with local youth

Becoming a part of the Burlington community is something that students at the Ron
Joyce Centre feel passionately about. That's why Focus Business Consulting (FBC) has
decided to sponsor and coach a soccer team from the Burlington Youth Soccer Club this
summer.

FBC is an MBA student-run consulting firm that operates in partnership with the
DeGroote School of Business at McMaster's Burlington campus, the Ron Joyce Centre.
FBC offers consulting service solutions to enhance the performance of companies of all
sizes. It specializes in strategy development and execution, business planning, and
marketing services to provide strategic direction to companies.

The consulting firm believes in the importance of corporate social responsibility and
wants to give back to the Burlington community by running the team made up of 15
boys in the Under -14 age group.

“We feel strongly about integrating the DeGroote School of Business into the Burlington
community,” said Stephen Charko, a member of the Focus Business Consulting team.
“We go to school here, work here and want to give back.”

Charko, alongside Steve Oostrom, is taking on the responsibility of coaching. Both have
experience coaching and a passion for soccer.

“I love soccer and I'm excited for the opportunity to share that with these kids,” said
Charko, who has played soccer for 10 years in Dundas, Ontario.

Oostrom, whose 16 years of experience playing soccer began in his hometown of
Collingwood, is also eager to be a coach.

“I've always appreciated my soccer coaches. They volunteered a lot of their time and it
really had an impact on me. I want to do the same for other kids,” said Oostrom.

Charko and Oostrom are hoping to be positive role models for their team and want to
leave the kids with more than just soccer this summer.

“I hope we can help to shape their lives by teaching values and life skills, while having a
fun time throughout the season,” said Charko. “We want to create a well bonded team
and we hope that friendships can grow outside of soccer.”

Along with the coaches, the members of the team are enthusiastic for the upcoming
season which kicks off with the first game on May 23 and runs until September.