Elmwood Giant wins giant scholarship

The future looks bright for an Elmwood High School football star.

Thierry Moro has been selected for the University of British Columbia’s Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Program. The program provides Black Canadian students who are transitioning to UBC from high school with institutional and financial support, up to $80,000 over four years.  

The defensive lineman has committed to playing football for the UBC Thunderbirds this fall. 

“It’s a great program with great coaches and great teammates. I really feel like I’ll fit well into their program,” Moro said. 

“I was there last month for spring camp. That was pretty good. The speed of the game was definitely something I’ve got to get used to, but with time and more reps I think I can hang with the guys.”

The Grade 12 student was a key factor in the Elmwood Giants success the last couple seasons. The Giants were named Winnipeg High School Football League AAAA North West Conference champions in 2024 and AAAA North East Conference champs in 2023. 

In 2024, Moro won the Kas Vidruk Lineman Trophy for best down lineman of the year. In 2023, he was nominated for the Blue Bomber Alumni Association Players of the Year Award.

Moro – who currently stands six-foot-four – started playing football in Grade 9. Elmwood football coach John Kiesman knew Moro was going to have a major impact on the football field straight from the get-go. 

“We knew he was going to be really good when one of the first drills we did was a simple blocking drill where the coach is behind the blocking bag,” Kiesman said. “He was a young kid at the time and hadn’t grown into his body yet, but he already had great athleticism. So, we go into the drill and he puts me flat on my butt. And I’m a bigger guy too. You just knew he was going to be a special player.”

Kiesman is quick to point out that Moro doesn’t just rely on his size or natural talent.

“He’s always on time for practice. He’s always putting in the extra work and he gets up early to go for workouts and training. On top of that, he’s in high academic standing,” Kiesman said.

Moro credits his coach for instilling in him a “be the best version of yourself” attitude. He’s had his hurdles to overcome. In 2014, Moro moved to Canada from Belgium and he and his sister grew up in foster care. 

Still, he feels fortunate to have “a great foster family”, in addition to his football family. 

“All my closest friends come from football,” Moro said. “We have a brotherhood. The connection that comes with the game is really something beautiful.”

Moro said he hopes to inspire others in his school and community to be the best they can be.

“I just want to pave the way for the next generation of Elmwood Giants and people in my community,” Moro said. 

“When I was in Grade 9, I looked up to older guys like Valentine Adedeji and Famous Aghayere (former Giants who currently play for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks). I want to be that guy for kids from younger grades to look up to. I want them to be like, ‘If Thierry can make it out of Elmwood, I can make it out of Elmwood too.’