Player Name

Gilliam, Poppy

Type

Athlete

Sport

Soccer

Is Part Of

Niagara Falls Virtual Sports Wall of Fame

Inducted

2024

Description

Poppy Gilliam began her soccer journey at the age of six with the Niagara Falls Soccer League. She transitioned to the St. Catharines Jets premier soccer team at age sixteen, playing with them for two decades. She served as captain for 15 years, helping to guide her team to numerous Ontario championships. She proudly represented Team Ontario for two years as both defender and forward and was selected to train with the National Development program, competing with the
top women across Canada.
At A.N. Myer Secondary School, she excelled in soccer, basketball, volleyball and badminton, winning many Zone and SOSSA championships, advancing to OFSSA in both soccer and basketball. She captained numerous teams, served as Student Council and Athletic Council President and won the Excellence in Education award, earning her a spot in the school's Hall of Fame.
Poppy attended Brown University, a Division 1 Ivy League school in Providence, Rhode Island from 1992-1996, where the soccer team was ranked 12th in the country her third year. She was named to the All-Ivy Team, was captain her senior year, and won the Ivy League Championships twice. She also excelled academically with a 4.0 average and was awarded the Brown University Leadership award. In 1997, she played her 5th year of eligibility for Brock University, where they advanced to the OUA championships, and she won the President's Award.
Poppy has dedicated over 30 years to coaching both school and travel teams, ran the 'Just for Kicks' summer camp in Niagara Falls, and in 2022, co-led soccer for the Canada Games held in Niagara. Following her work with the Canada Games, Canada Soccer invited her to assist in running National Soccer Championships, further demonstrating her ongoing influence in the sport.

This image may not be reproduced without the written consent of the City of Niagara Falls Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture

Subject

Awards

​Sports - Soccer

Niagara Falls Virtual Sports Wall of Fame

Portraits - Biographical