BY: KOMAL BIALA

Local Downsview professional soccer team, York United, is an initiative designed for individuals from all walks of life. York United is a team that gives opportunities to soccer lovers to jump-start their athletic careers no matter their age, race or gender. After speaking with Chris Duffin, a leader of York United, he mentions how many people love soccer. However, they do not have the chance to play professionally. York United provides the ability to play professionally and the chance to speak to other soccer players and share interests and opinions openly and with no judgment.

York United's mission is more than just playing soccer, it's about making memories. Memories that you can take with you and look back at through one's journey as a soccer player. They value fearlessness and aim to take on challenges and face them directly. Being joyful, they follow a mantra, “use your head, bring your heart” and try to create a positive, welcoming environment for all. Creativity, they are always finding new ways to approach things in order to succeed and learn. United, they are committed to bringing people together and winning as a community.

In the future and with the support from the Downsview community, York United hopes to create charitable initiatives to help out the community. They believe that holding charitable events will

be a great way to bring the community together while also being able to raise money for important issues. Right now, fans from Barrie, Kitchener, Georgina and much more are coming out to their games and showing their support. In order to make it to the playoffs, York United needs the Downsview community to show their love and cheer for them. Not only would you be helping them make it to the playoffs, but you would be helping their careers as professional players.

To stay updated with future matches, you can check out their website https://yorkunitedfc.canpl.ca/