[ RECREATION ]
F R O M
GRASSROOTS THE TO
“ AS A VERY ACTIVE COMMUNITY WITH A STRONG CULTURE OF SPORT , HAVING TFC II IN VAUGHAN HAS
GENERATED INTEREST AND EXCITEMENT . THIS MARKS AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE IN THE HISTORY OF OUR GROWING
CITY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CHEERING ON VAUGHAN ’ S NEW TEAM THIS SUMMER AND IN THE YEARS TO COME .” - Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
BY DARIO PASSARELLI
In 2015 , Vaughan welcomed its first professional sports team – Toronto FC II ( TFC II ) of the United Soccer League ( USL ). When TFC II publicly announced it would make the City of Vaughan its home , there was an immediate sense of pride across Vaughan .
There is no doubt having TFC II in Vaughan is a big win for the city and furthers the deep passion between Vaughan residents and the great game of soccer . The team plays out of a 2,000-seat stadium at the Ontario Soccer Centre located on Martin Grove Road , just south of Highway 7 . Stage two of the plans for this stadium , which has been built and fully funded by the Ontario Soccer Association , will increase capacity to an impressive 5,000 seats within three years .
The Soccer Centre itself is an impressive 130,000 sq . ft . complex that serves many purposes with three indoor soccer courts , two international size soccer fields and one international artificial turf field . It houses all of the provincial leagues as well as its most recent tenant , TFC II . It is a complex that provides entertaining minor league soccer and a facility that will grow the game for both the community and the country .
If players have the skill and determination , they may progress through the Kia Academy to TFC II just like Vaughan ’ s Luca Uccello . From there , the opportunity to play at the top level of soccer in North America is only one step away . As more and more Canadians take advantage of this opportunity , it will translate to success at the international level as well .
It is commonly said that variety is the spice of life – well it is also the defining characteristic of recreation in Vaughan . Simply put , the City offers many opportunities to residents to lead active and healthy lives .
Photos courtesy of Martin Bazyl Photography
104 Celebrate Vaughan / 2016