Words+Interview: Sumona Roy
The players Gala was presented by Blackberry with the chance for sports fans to mix and mingle with their favorite Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Raptor or Toronto FC player, the coaches and alumni were at the Mattamy Athletic Center (or as we still refer to it as the old”Maple Leaf Gardens”) supporting the MLS foundation. Guests spend their time with players throughout the night while they enjoyed cocktail reception and dinner.
They are hoping to transform it into a 42 000 square foot facility dedicated to sports for development programming in partnership with the Toronto Community Housing and City of Toronto.
The MLS foundation will create the first collaborative space in North America to leverage sport education and research to promote social change.
It’s hope is to open the MLS Launchpad in 2017 will include a multi-purpose gymnasium classrooms and a teaching kitchen. It will also feature programming for 7 days a week that will focus on four pillars with sports at the core, healthy body,healthy mind, ready for school and ready for work.
What was appreciated was the wide range of athletes represented from hockey players, basketball players and soccer players.
A big thank you goes out to Melissa for the invite and hospitality.
Images courtesy of bkonthescene
