Top Honours
–
Top Honours
2022 2023
40 | HSC REVIEW
Ones to Watch
Two Men on the Ball Stories by Alex Berry
always been an intrinsic part of their lives. “We’ve been playing soccer together for as long as we’ve been walking, and now we get to play together at Western,” says Dino. Growing up in Ancaster, Charlie and Dino both played for Hamilton Sparta before being recruited to play for the Toronto Football Club’s Academy team. Their busy training schedule required a unique academic schedule, which, as Charlie explains, was made possible in part by the flexibility and support they found at HSC. “For most of our Senior School years, we would leave at lunch to make it to training in Toronto, so we were fortunate enough to have the support system in place where we could stay on top of our studies.” The brothers also found time to play for HSC’s own sporting teams. Dino says that some of his greatest school memories come from representing the Trojans both in soccer and basketball. “In Middle School, I was lucky to play alongside a great group of athletes and took home four national CAIS championships between the two sports.” In the spring of his final year at HSC, Dino signed a development contract with Forge Football Club, Hamilton’s Canadian Premier League team. The contract allowed him the opportunity to train and play professionally while also being eligible to play on Western University’s team. “It’s been really special to play for my home club on a team that’s proven to be the best in the league.” For his part, Charlie has made a name for himself as a versatile player with a unique ability to play many different positions. In 2022 he was ranked among the top Ontario University Athletics players for most points (goals plus assists). “Over the years, I have changed positions from centre forward to attacking midfielder to winger to right back,” he says “I am confident enough to play wherever the coach needs me.”
Photos submitted by Bontis family
FOR THE BONTIS BROTHERS, Charlie ’21 and Dino ’22, soccer has