September 22, 2023...'Turning Our Dreams Into Reality': Over 300 New Canadians in Attendance for Club's Latest Initiative
(from York United FC website)
'TURNING OUR DREAMS INTO REALITY': OVER 300 NEW CANADIANS IN ATTENDANCE FOR CLUB'S LATEST INITIATIVE
York United FC's home game last Sunday was all about shining a spotlight on organizations doing crucial work.
THE WORLD IS A BALL
As half-time approached at York Lions Stadium, a group of children slipped out of their seats and were chaperoned to the
nearby elevators. Though they knew what was due to happen next, every step still seemed filled with possibility and adventure
and excitement. Oh, and the journey was punctuated with lots of questions about Cristiano Ronaldo, a name carried on the
back of so many of their jerseys.
As the doors opened on the ground floor, they slowly made their way past the reception desk and as they turned the corner
to the left, they began to catch a glimpse of what awaited them.
The pitch came into focus and every face became etched with a wide-eyed, overawed expression.
"Are we going to play here?" asked one, emotions suspended in disbelief.
"It was a privilege and honour to witness New Six Soccer on the Canadian Premier League stage at York United FC's recent
home match with Pacific FC. Being able to share our story pushes us further to do more. We are so happy that our parents
and young players got to share such an experience together. Thank you York United FC for turning their dreams into reality.”
Ahead of York United FC's 'New Canadians' fixture against Pacific FC - proudly presented by CIBC - the club wished to shine
a spotlight on the crucial outreach and support work being carried out by a variety of organizations, all focused on helping
the most vulnerable of newcomers to the city and beyond. The club's thought process - however rudimentary it seemed - was that
welcoming asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants to a soccer match might provide a simple but comforting connection to home.
After all, the world is a ball.
Through the expertise and assistance of the International Association for Refugees (IAFR), contact was made with a litany
of immensely important groups: Toronto North Local Immigration Partnership, FCJ Refugee Centre, The Peoples Church Refugee
Ministries, Matthew House, Adam House, Christie House and Romero House. Many members - from across all of those organizations
- were present at York Lions Stadium last weekend as guests of the club.
When conversations started between the club and New Six Soccer - a hub and safe haven for newcomers to the city, particularly
children - York United turned their attention to making a stadium experience as immersive as possible for the abundance
of young members who wished to be attend the fixture and cheer on The Nine Stripes.
A mini-game was arranged and scheduled for half-time of York United's CPL clash with Pacific FC, with twelve players from
New Six Soccer's Under-8 group set to take part.
The call came shortly after 4pm - an hour before kick-off. The group had all arrived outside the stadium - players, coaches
and parents. In total, about 200 people.
The din and genuine sense of expectation was special, as was the controlled chaos of a multitude of kids expertly being
marshalled by a small but determined set of grown-ups. Co-founders Mensur Nuru and Dr. Abubakar Khalifa - who later assisted
with the pre-game coin toss - were joined by Coach Faris Abubaker and began dispersing the special treasure: match tickets.
Upon entry, everyone was handed another memento: an exclusive CIBC/York United FC scarf and, once the group took their seats,
the chants of 'York United, let's go' began in earnest. And the kids didn't stop for the entire game.
Inevitably, the support reached a stratospheric level during the half-time interval as the New Six Soccer Under-8s proudly
raced onto the hallowed York Lions Stadium turf. Some of their Under-7 friends came too and perched close by on the sideline
to offer plenty of encouragement.
It proved a competitive battle on the field, with plenty of skill, spirit and determination on show. Fittingly, it was
a compelling drama too with a late equalizer ensuring a 1-1 draw and a share of the spoils.
As the kids strolled off the field together to some rapturous applause from the crowd, attention turned to more important matters.
"Can we have pizza now?"
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