Ottawa Citizen: Soccer team of young refugees tripped up on way to England

Posted in: In the News by Kate Weersink on August 1, 2010 | No Comments

By Mike Barber (Postmedia News, August 1, 2010)

Eight soccer players on a Canadian team made up of refugees from around the world have had their hopes of playing in a massive youth tournament in England temporarily dashed due to confusion over paperwork.

Members of United FC, a club based in Hamilton, were about to board their London-bound flight in Toronto on Thursday to take part in the Arsenal International Soccer Festival when half the team were told they couldn’t enter the U.K. on their permanent resident cards, said team coach Leo Johnson. Read more…

The Hamilton Spectator: ‘Dream’ trip derailed

Posted in: In the News by Kate Weersink on July 31, 2010 | No Comments

By Jenni Dunning (The Hamilton Spectator, July 31,2010)

Hamilton, ON - Eight members of a Hamilton soccer team of refugees were denied the trip of a lifetime yesterday after Air India officials said they lacked all necessary documents.

Now, United FC is scrambling to get travel visas and raise $10,000 for new flights by Tuesday.

The last minute snag came after months of fundraising and taking out a loan for more than $40,000 to send 18 players and two coaches to London, England, to compete in a youth soccer tournament. Read more…

The Hamilton Spectator: Citizenship a ticket to the past

Posted in: In the News by Erika Strong on June 12, 2010 | No Comments

By John Burman (The Hamilton Spectator, June 12, 2010)

Leo Johnson and 39 other candidates gave up the first game of the World Cup to become Canadian citizens.

And by a twist of dates, there may not have been a better way for citizenship Judge Sharon Robertson to demonstrate Canada’s multiculturalism to new Canadians.

New Canadians are asked to hold their heritage dear and weave it into their new lives as they embrace the ways and culture of Canada, Robertson told the packed citizenship court at the federal building on Bay Street North yesterday morning. Read more…

The Hamilton Spectator: Refugees shoot for soccer dream

Posted in: In the News by Erika Strong on May 14, 2010 | No Comments

By Jenni Dunning (The Hamilton Spectator, May 12, 2010)

Hamilton, ON—Manuel Gonzalez has 26 brothers from 10 different countries.

They meet weekly for a game of soccer or just to kick around a ball for a couple hours.

They’re an unconventional family because they’re not related. Read more…