Mark Forster Scholarship – Peterborough City Soccer Association

Mark Forster, 1963 - 1988 — Mark Forster 1963 – 1988

The Mark Forster Scholarship was established by the Peterborough City Soccer Association to commemorate the memory of Mark Forster, a former Peterborough City player who died tragically as the result of an illness in 1988 at the age of 25. Mark played on the PCSA Senior Men’s team in the Toronto and District Premier Soccer League. A skilled and committed young midfield player with a great attitude, he was popular with teammates and fans alike.

Mark acted as coordinator of the Arborough Games, a sport and cultural exchange program between Peterborough and Ann Arbor, Michigan, from 1983 to 1985 as well as the Ontario Summer Games held in Peterborough in 1986.

In 1990, the north field at Eastgate Park was renamed the Mark Forster Pitch in memory of Mark. The memorial plaque at the field reads:
“This plaque is to commemorate the memory of Mark Forster who, during his short lifetime, made major contributions to soccer and other sports in the Peterborough community. In his memory, this field shall be known as The Mark Forster Pitch”.

Award Description

The Mark Forster Scholarship is presented annually to a maximum of four individuals entering their first year of post-secondary school studies. The cash value of the scholarship is set annually by the PCSA Board of Directors.

Any current Peterborough City player who has been accepted into their first year of post-secondary studies at a Canadian college or university is eligible to apply for a scholarship. The applications will be judged on the following criteria:

Playing history with Peterborough City Soccer Association;
Contribution to soccer through playing, coaching, refereeing, mentoring, etc.;
Volunteer activity in the Club and elsewhere;
Academic record.

How To Apply

Completed application forms and supporting documents must be received on or before August 1 each year. Application forms are available on the PCSA website or can be requested from the PCSA Administrator.

Applications can be submitted by any of the following methods:

Email: scan the application form and supporting documents and email them to the PCSA Administrator.
Mail or courier to:
Peterborough City Soccer Association,
171A Rink Street, Suite 114,
Peterborough, Ontario,
K9J 2J6
Attn: Administrator.
Drop off in a sealed envelope (no stamp required) at:
Package Plus (open weekdays 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.),
171A Rink Street,
Suite 114 (Peterborough City Soccer Association),
Peterborough, Ontario.
Attn: Administrator.

Download: Mark Forster Scholarship application form

Previous Recipients

2023-08-scholarship — 2023 – Recipients were Spencer van Engelen (pictured here with Margaret and Fred Forster, PCSA President Dan Moore and Vice-President Angela Gaskell) and Nicholas Tripp (Photo: Leanne McLaughlin)

Caiden Entwistle (left) and Tristan Onusko with Fred and Margaret Forster (Photo credit: Lesli Onusko) — 2022 – Caiden Entwistle (left) and Tristan Onusko with Fred and Margaret Forster (Photo: Lesli Onusko)

2021 – Belle Onusko with Margaret and Fred Forster and PCSA President Dan Moore (Photo: Lesli Onusko)

Left: 2020 Mark Forster Scholarship winner Julia Ebisuzaki-Mackay
Right: Mark's parents Fred and Margaret Forster (with Covid-19 precautions) — 2020 – Left: Mark Forster Scholarship winner Julia Ebisuzaki-Mackay
Right: Mark’s parents Fred and Margaret Forster (with Covid-19 precautions)

2018 Scholarship recipients Violet Hipkin, Emma Twohey, Brook Bolton and Jairam Patel with Fred and Margaret Forster — 2018 – Scholarship recipients Violet Hipkin, Emma Twohey, Brook Bolton and Jairam Patel with Fred and Margaret Forster

Scholarship recipients in 2017 were Tijhan Patel (U18 Boys) and Lucy Driscoll (U18 Girls). Tijhan is heading to the University of Guelph to study Biomedical Engineering and Lucy is heading to Brock University to study Sport Management. Presentations were made by Mark’s parents Fred and Margaret Forster. (photo: Lesli Onusko) — 2017 – Scholarship recipients were Tijhan Patel (U18 Boys) and Lucy Driscoll (U18 Girls). Tijhan is heading to the University of Guelph to study Biomedical Engineering and Lucy is heading to Brock University to study Sport Management. Presentations were made by Mark’s parents Fred and Margaret Forster. (photo: Lesli Onusko)

2015 recipients were Michaela Yateman (pictured here with PCSA President Barry Graham) and Emery McLaughlin. Michaela will be attending the University of New Brunswick while Emery is heading to Centennial College. — 2015 – Recipients were Michaela Yateman (pictured here with PCSA President Barry Graham) and Emery McLaughlin. Michaela will be attending the University of New Brunswick while Emery is heading to Centennial College.

2014 Scholarship winners were Shawn Thompson (pictured with Mark's parents Margaret and Fred Forster) and Michela Montgomery. Shawn and Michela are off to Queen's University in September. — 2014 – Scholarship winners were Shawn Thompson (pictured with Mark’s parents Margaret and Fred Forster) and Michela Montgomery. Shawn and Michela are off to Queen’s University in September.

2013 Scholarship recipient Vanessa Moore, who plays for the Peterborough City Women's team, will attend Carleton University in the fall. Mark's parents Fred and Margaret Forster were on hand to make the presentation. — 2013 – Scholarship recipient Vanessa Moore, who plays for the Peterborough City Women’s team, will attend Carleton University in the fall. Mark’s parents Fred and Margaret Forster were on hand to make the presentation.

Scholarship recipients in 2012 were Mackenzie Craig and Ashley White, who played for the Peterborough City U18 girls team, and Chris Murtha and Scott Carlow (missing) from the U21 men’s side. Presentations were made by Mark's parents Fred and Margaret Forster (photo: Nicole White) — 2012 – Scholarship recipients were Mackenzie Craig and Ashley White, who played for the Peterborough City U18 girls team, and Chris Murtha and Scott Carlow (missing) from the U21 men’s side. Presentations were made by Mark’s parents Fred and Margaret Forster (photo: Nicole White)

2011 Scholarship Recipients:

Eric Jaczkowski (Queen’s University)
Jeremy MacMillan-Jones (University of Guelph)
Cameron McLaughlin (McMaster University)
Shannon O’Brien (Trent University)
Natalie Selkirk (Trent University)

2010 Scholarship Recipients:

Tracey Carlow (Trent University)
Carlo Ferrer (Queen’s University)
Brendan Graham (Queen’s University)
Brendan Sevigny (Fleming College)
Amy Walsh (Trent University)

2009 Scholarship Recipients:

2009 Forster Scholarship Recipients Mark Van Beek (Fleming College), Mary Kapron (Trent University), Michelle O’Brien, (Fleming College), Marc Yip Choy (University of Western Ontario) — 2009 – Scholarship recipients were Mary Kapron (Trent University), Michelle O’Brien (Fleming College), Marc Yip Choy (University of Western Ontario) and Mark Van Beek (Fleming College), pictured here with Mark’s parents Margaret and Fred Forster.

Mark Forster Scholarship Application Form