Toronto FC, Special Olympics Ontario and Kia announced Saturday the 12-player roster that will compete in the Unified Exchange Program at Stade Saputo in Montreal, Quebec on Sunday, August 27. The team will face off against a roster of Special Olympics athletes from the Montreal area, chosen by the Montreal Impact and Special Olympics Quebec.
“Toronto FC is proud to take part in this initiative led by Special Olympics and help spread their message of inclusion,” said Bill Manning, President, Toronto FC. “Through sport, we have an opportunity to give these athletes competitive and positive experiences and increase the accessibility of soccer to encourage healthy, active lifestyles.”
The Unified Exchange Program is the cornerstone of the Special Olympics Unified Sports initiative in partnership with Major League Soccer and ESPN that leverages the power of sport to promote an environment of social inclusion and offers a First Team MLS experience. Unified soccer teams, comprised of players with and without intellectual disabilities, travel from their home city to other MLS markets to compete in exhibition matches with their Special Olympics counterparts. Unified matches are scheduled in conjunction with MLS club matches, providing MLS fans with an opportunity to witness first-hand the talents and abilities of Special Olympics athletes and unified partners. Toronto FC and Montreal Impact are the first Canadian teams to participate in the Unified Exchange Program.
“Special Olympics Canada and its Ontario and Quebec Chapters are thrilled to take part in this incredible opportunity,” said Sharon Bollenbach, CEO, Special Olympics Canada. “Our athletes are excited to take to the field to showcase their abilities and love for the game. We look forward to spreading our message of inclusion and acceptance through the Unified Exchange Program.”
In addition to the Unified Exchange Program in Montreal, Toronto FC and Kia will host Toronto’s roster at BMO Field on Sunday, July 30 during Kia Match Night when Toronto FC takes on New York City FC. The team will also participate in a half-time activation.
“We’re so thrilled to see our partnerships with Special Olympics and Toronto FC come to life in such an exciting, memorable and meaningful way,” said Ted Lancaster, VP & COO, Kia Canada Inc. “In addition to providing funds and transportation in support of their daily programs, Kia is proud to be taking a hands-on role in helping spread their message of acceptance and inclusion in communities across Canada.”
As another element of this partnership, Toronto FC and Kia have teamed up to help raise funds for Special Olympics Canada with a contest for fans to win Toronto FC seats. To celebrate TFC’s most successful season, Kia had eight commemorative “Toronto FC Eastern Conference Champs” seats from BMO Field created and signed by the players from the First Team. For a chance to win the seats, fans are invited to visit specialolympics.ca/wintfcseats between July 24 to October 22 and make a $10 donation to Special Olympics.
As the official automotive partner of Special Olympics Canada, Kia Canada is proud to take on a hands-on role in helping to spread the message of acceptance and inclusion. In addition, Kia provides funds and transportation needs to support the daily and competitive sports programs that serve more than 42,000 children, youth and adults with an intellectual disability in communities across Canada.
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