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United FC
United FC is a youth soccer team made up of 18 players from 11 different countries. Most of the teamʼs members come from troubled backgrounds such as refugee camps. United FC was originally started in 2007 by coaches Leo Johnson and Mark Sinke to bring together a love for the sport and a constructive afterschool activity for this diverse group of players. Since then, the team has developed into something much more.
Afghanistan, Columbia, Mexico, El Salvador, Ghana, Liberia, Sudan, Uganda, Congo, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia—a list of places that have seen war, crime, upheaval and disaster. They have also produced people with a great sense of hope and endurance, who have gone through adversity and come out stronger on the other side, dedicated to making the best of life no matter what the circumstances.
The players of United FC came from these places and backgrounds to settle in Hamilton, Ontario and have been seizing these opportunities every chance they get.
The team’s skills and talents have not only developed over the last three years from playing together, but they have also learned that true family extends beyond a bloodline. Together they have overcome many of the difficulties faced by new Canadians through their passion for the game and the shared experience of being a refugee.
The hard work and dedication of the team hasn’t gone unnoticed. United FC accepted an invitation to participate in the Arsenal International Youth Festival in England this past August. They competed against other youth teams from around the globe and showed off the diversity and strength of not only Hamilton, but also Canada by finishing second in the Plate Final.
United FC is a team that shows multiculturalism at its finest. A true testament of what it means to be Canadian.
Blog
Follow along as the United FC players blog daily from England about their travels and triumphs… [READ MORE]
Roster & Statistics
Get to know the players and find out how they’re performing at the tournament in England… [READ MORE]
Schedule & Results
Keep updated with game schedules, scores and standings throughout the tournament… [READ MORE]
Multimedia
Check out photos and videos of the team in England to see what they get up to each day… [READ MORE]
Donate
The team is still short $6,000 for their trip. Show your support by making a donation today… [READ MORE]
Contact Us
Send along your own words of encouragement with the team as they travel to England… [READ MORE]
