The Orlando Sharks participated with K92FM, the local Country Music radio station, in their fourth annual “Home-Away-From-Home” Radiothon, February 13-14, to help the children and families served at Central Florida’s two Ronald McDonald Houses. 

Sharks owner Sham Maharaj, team president Rich Bradley, head coach Jake Dancy, and all of the Sharks players met with families and presented signed soccer balls to all of the children. “The Orlando Sharks are committed to working with local organizations and media to help make a positive impact in our community,” says Rich Bradley. He continues, “It’s an honor and a privilege to support Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Florida.”

Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Florida finds, creates and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children and families. The cornerstone program, the Ronald McDonald House, provides a “home-away-from-home” that offers comfort and care to families with children receiving medical treatment at local hospitals and medical facilities in Orlando.

The Radiothon raised more than $100,000 which surpassed last year’s two-day total by more than $25,000.

When Ainsley Romany uses the word “football”, he’s not referring to the projectile that’s tapered on both ends; for Ainsley it’s the game he plays with a passion…soccer. A native of Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, and Canisius College alum, Ainsley, 26, has played the game he loves for teams all around the world. In Germany, he played for TV-Badenstedtger in the Landesliga and Hanover 96 in the Oberliga where he was named Defender of the Year; in Toronto he played for the Metro Lions FC in the Canadian Professional Soccer League. His best moment in soccer was representing his country of heritage, Trinidad & Tobago, on U-20 National Team.

Today, Ainsley plays the indoor version of soccer with the Major Indoor Soccer League franchise Orlando Sharks. Says Ainsley, “What I like the most about playing in this league is the high impact fast paced football. It’s obviously a different game from what I'm used to, but nonetheless it’s a high intensity game which I like very much.” He adds, “The biggest challenge playing in this league is without a doubt the game itself. Getting accustomed with the use of the boards is probably the most challenging aspect of this game. The boards can help and hurt you at the same time.  It’s all about adjustments and adapting, and that's what I've been trying to do for the past three to four months.”

When not playing soccer, Ainsley enjoys coaching, conversing with kids, watching movies, and cutting hair. He stays in contact with the friends he grew up with who are playing in Spain, Germany, Holland, and England. “I love to travel, sight-see, and learn.” He continues, “I go to church every Sunday. For me, I need time to reflect and be with the Man upstairs. At the end of the day, without Him, I would not be here right now.”

So what will life be like for Ainsley Romany after his soccer career? He states, “Teaching is my second passion, my mother is a teacher and taught me in high school. I think seeing my mom impacting positively on so many kids, really makes me want to be a teacher just like her. Coaching would also be something I would definitely look into as well. Even when I leave this game, I don't really think I could leave this game. I also see myself going back to school to earn my masters degree as well.”

What about that great sense of humor? Ainsley chuckles, “I think it just comes from my extended family and friends that I grew up with. Let's just say that I'm a small reflection of that. After all, what’s life without a little laughter here and there? It’s good for the soul!”

RJ Gray is the Orlando Sharks’ Special Projects Coordinator. In essence he is the director for all of the on-field activities before, during, and after every home game. In addition he handles all of the travel arrangements for away games.

RJ is a junior at the University of Central Florida majoring in Business Management. He has been with the Sharks for eight months beginning as an intern then progressing to his current position running game day operations.

In addition to his busy schedule with the Sharks and UCF he volunteers a baseball coach at the East Orange Little League. He recently completed a five month project with four classmates that raised nearly three thousand dollars in pet supplies and other donations for the South Lake Animal League. He has also helped various churches and other non-profit organizations over the year in both Orange and Brevard counties.

He is currently considering attaining an MBA after graduation.