GUFC x Kickz Soccer 2021

Guelph, ON (June 29, 2021) - Today, Harvey Marchant and Gray Yates - members of Guelph United F.C.’s First and Reserve squads respectively - partnered with members of the Guelph Union, Guelph Soccer Club, Canadian Tire Jumpstart, and the Guelph Police Service to bring the beautiful game to the our community.

The Kickz Soccer program is a sports program aimed at supporting youth from priority neighbourhoods in Guelph who typically face greater challenges and many of who are new to Canada. A primary focus of Kickz is to mentor the participating youth in a fun, safe, healthy, activity-based environment and to date, Kickz has reached more than 1,000 youth in our community. The 2021 version of Kickz once again partnered Shelldale Family Gateway and West Willow Village neighbourhood groups to deliver support to some of our most vulnerable youth in the community.

Working within the restrictions of COVID, the goal adopted this year was to assist in reducing the barriers youth face in playing formal sports, specifically players not having access to sports equipment. On Monday the 28th, participants from all the partner groups gathered to provide equipment to Kickz players and siblings Essei, Yoel and Blein of West Willow Village to ensure they have the things needed when participating in formal sports programs.

In partnership with Jumpstart and Guelph Soccer Club, Kickz is providing new soccer boots, shin pads, jerseys and soccer balls to 80 youth from partner communities; Kickz would like to thank Sportchek Guelph for their help and participation. Also each neighbourhood group will receive a cheque from Jumpstart to further support community youth.

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About Guelph United F.C.

Established in 2020 with the help and experience of local partners, the University of Guelph Gryphons, the Guelph Soccer Junior Gryphons, and the City of Guelph, Guelph United F.C. was formed with the goal of bringing League1 Ontario to this vibrant community located just an hour west of Toronto.