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Ontario Nationals Staff

Meet the Ontario Nationals Staff

The Ontario Nationals are led by a dedicated team of coaches, instructors, and support staff who bring passion, experience, and a shared commitment to player development. Each member of our staff plays a vital role in creating a positive, high-performance environment where athletes can grow on and off the field. Whether guiding skill development, coordinating travel, or managing team operations, our staff is united by one goal: helping every player reach their full potential.


JEREMY JAYAWEERA

PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR OF BASEBALL OPERATIONS

Phone: 519-591-8315

Jeremy graduated from the Nationals program in 2008. He went to school in Illinois and Iowa and graduated with a BA in Accounting. Jeremy became President in 2019 and originally joined the Nationals organization as a coach in 2014. Former LA Angels scout.


George HALIM

VICE PRESIDENT

George Halim joined the Ontario Nationals organization as Vice President in 2025. A well-respected name in Canadian baseball, George brings extensive experience in scouting, player development, and college placement. He is currently a scout for the Detroit Tigers and previously held scouting roles with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers.
George is also the founder and CEO of College Placement Inc. (CPI), an organization dedicated to creating scholarship opportunities for Canadian high school athletes. He has served as the Director of Prep Baseball Report (PBR) Canada, the GM of the Hamilton Cardinals, and has coached at both the high school and collegiate levels in Canada and the U.S. His background also includes time as MLB News Editor for theScore.


CHRIS ILTSHISHIN

18U MANAGER / PLAYER DEVELOPMENT LEADER/HITTING COORDINATOR

Chris started his collegiate athletic career at Frontier College in the NJCAA before transferring to Tusculum University to compete in the NCAA. Following his time in the U.S, Chris transferred home and graduated with honours from the University of Waterloo. Chris joined the Ontario Nationals organization as a coach in 2018.


ANDY LEADER

17U MANAGER / PLAYER DEVELOPMENT LEADER/HITTING COORDINATOR


LIAM WILSON

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT LEADER / HITTING COORDINATOR / MENTAL PERFORMANCE COACH

Liam played one season at NJCAA D1 Northeastern Junior College (Sterling, Colorado) and three seasons at NCAA D1 Canisius College. Liam now plays in the IBL for the Guelph Royals. Liam joined the Nationals organization as a coach in 2023.


SCOTT BALLANTYNE

16U MANAGER / PLAYER DEVELOPMENT LEADER

This is Scott's 3rd year with the Nationals organization. He was the Head Coach at Wilfrid Laurier University from 2007-2022, winning 3 OUA Championships and 4 OUA Coach of the Year Awards. Over the years, Scott has held numerous other coaching roles including Head Coach for the 2009 Waterloo Tigers (2016-2022) and KW Jr. Panthers (2009-2011), Assistant Coach of Collegiate Team Canada (2008 & 2010), and General Manager of the IBL Kitchener Panthers (2013-2018). Prior to becoming a coach, Scott played collegiate baseball as a pitcher for Wilfrid Laurier University. Outside of baseball, Scott works as a CPA in the healthcare industry.


AARON MCKAY

17U COACH / INFIELD COORDINATOR

Aaron graduated from the Nationals in 2015. He graduated from the University of Guelph. Aaron joined the Nationals organization as a coach in 2017.


YUNIOR IBARRA

13U COACH / CATCHING COORDINATOR


BRADY SCHNARR

18U COACH / PITCHING COACH

Brady attended Frontier Community College and then transferred to University of Montevallo. He currently still plays for the IBL Panthers and is a staple on their pitching staff. Brady joined the Nationals organization as a coach in 2021.


WILL BROOKS

17U COACH / CATCHING COACH


JORDAN BAHNUK

15U MANAGER / PITCHING COACH

Jordan has a deep passion for coaching with a strong focus and expertise in pitching and throwing mechanics. Jordan played for two years at Indian Hills Community College and three years at Southwestern Christian University. He graduated with a major in Kinesiology. Jordan joined the Nationals organization as a coach in 2021.


TED SALHANI

13U MANAGER / OUTFIELD COACH

Ted brings a wealth of experience with him to the Nationals staff. Ted played for a number of organizations throughout his career including the IBL London Majors, the National Baseball Institute in British Columbia and Oklahoma State University (NCAA D1). Ted was also selected to the Canada National Team, representing Canada in the 1998 World Cup Qualifier in Nicaragua, then the World Cup in Italy. Prior to his career in baseball, Ted was drafted to the Ontario Hockey League by the Sudbury Wolves.  Ted joined the Nationals staff in 2023


JACK ANDERSON

13U COACH / PITCHING COACH


NOAH GARRAH

14U COACH/PITCHING COACH

Noah joined the Ontario Nationals organization as a coach in 2023. An alumnus of the program, Noah competed for the Nationals from 15U through 18U before continuing his baseball career at Tusculum University, where he played for two years. He is currently attending Huron University College at Western University, pursuing an undergraduate degree in Political Science.


JACK RANKIN

18U COACH

Jack graduated from Durham College where he played baseball for three seasons. Jack joins the Nationals after coaching in the IBL for the Brantford Red Sox. Jack joined the Nationals organization as a coach in 2021.


TODD STRONKS

17U COACH

Todd joined the Ontario Nationals organization in 2020 as an assistant coach. He played collegiate baseball at the University of Guelph from 1997 to 2001, where he was named Team Captain from 1999 to 2001 and earned Team MVP honours in 2001. A two-time Academic All-Canadian, Todd helped lead his team to a National Finalist appearance in the 2000 season. With 15 years of baseball coaching experience, Todd also brings a multi-sport background, having spent the last 22 years coaching basketball and volleyball through his work as a teacher with the Grand Erie District School Board.


CHRIS READ

16U COACH


JASON ZINGER

16U COACH


GEOFF HORNBY

16U COACH


BRAD BOULTON

15U COACH

After spending nine years with Waterloo Minor Baseball, including four years as a head coach and five years as an assistant coach, Brad brought his experience and leadership to the Ontario Nationals organization in 2023. Brad continues to develop young athletes and share his passion for the game.


LOGAN DUARTE

15U COACH


JACK HOBEN

14U COACH


JEFF SHAPTON

14U COACH


Jon Brooks

13U COACH


CHAD DUBÉ

CATCHING & PITCHING COACH

Chad was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1993. He played D1 baseball at Troy State from 1994–1997 as both a catcher and outfielder. He is currently a teacher in the WRDSB with 23 years experience. Chad comes to us from the Cambridge Cubs organization where he coached their 2006 age group for 10 seasons, winning three AAA OBA titles and the 13U National Championship. Chad joined the Nationals organization as a coach in 2022.


PHILL JANKULOVSKI

COACH/RECRUITING & SCOUTING COORDINATOR


JOSE VASQUEZ

PITCHING COACH


GAVIN MCLEAN

PITCHING COACH


KYLE FREY

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COORDINATOR


HARMONY POKORA

DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION & COMMUNICATIONS

Harmony Pokora joined the Nationals staff in 2022. Her expertise in communications, operations management, and organizational leadership has been developed through nearly a decade in youth sports, alongside experience as a business owner and in private sector leadership roles focused on operational excellence and strategic planning. Harmony’s diverse experience in both sport and business has shaped her ability to enhance how the organization operates, communicates, and collaborates. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to supporting athletes, families, and staff.