Blind Soccer Camp: In Honour of Justin Masotti

Blind Soccer Camp: In Honour of Justin Masotti

My name is Luke McConnell and this is the story of a dear friend whose incredible and impactful life ended too soon.

Justin and I met as teenagers, playing for a men's soccer team in Hamilton, ON. We worked with a coach who specialized in preparing young players to play professionally in Europe. The training was hard and long. Rain, shine, or snow, we had training. It wasn't for everyone but for those passionate and determined to have a career in soccer, this was the place to be. Many players would come to training for a day, a week, or maybe a month, but not many would stay. Justin came to training one day on a cold winter evening. We were running the stairs- no ball training or fun games. Justin was new and understandably shy; He was one of the youngest players. I remember talking to Justin while we were running, and he told me about his goals and ambition to play soccer professionally. He seemed dedicated, but honestly, I wasn't sure if he was going to continue coming to training. As I said, it wasn't for everyone. I turned out to be very wrong.

Justin didn't just continue with the team; Justin thrived and transformed. In three seasons, Justin blossomed from the shy and timid person we met on that first day into a dominant, confident athlete and person. Justin’s transformation was inspiring. Justin had a goal and was on his way to making it a reality. But, we were sure it was only the start of much bigger things for him.

While Justin was finishing high school in Hamilton, I went to the UK- my first experience playing soccer abroad. Justin had plans to join me overseas and begin what seemed like a high chance of having a career as a professional soccer player. I remember speaking with friends in the UK about Justin and how excited I was for him to come to Europe and start his soccer career. It was just a waiting game until Justin joined me, and together, we would fight to reach the level that motivated us during those long training sessions running the stairs on cold winter nights.

At the age of 17, during Justin’s senior year of highschool, he was tragically diagnosed with brain cancer. Justin battled every day, never gave up, and stayed as positive as a person possibly could. Justin made everyone he knew so proud as he fought hard against this horrible disease. He graduated from high school with honours and always stayed optimistic that he would win this battle. He went to Mexico for special treatment with the hopes that he would recover. Justin’s spirits remained high even as the brain cancer took away his eyesight. Unfortunately, after a hard-fought battle, on April 20th 2017, Justin Masotti passed away. The world was a better place because Justin was in it, and I think of him every day. Justin was one of the most inspiring people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Justin used his passion for sport and helping others to make a difference in the lives of everyone he met, and I know he would have continued to do that if he were here.

In honour of Justin and his life, I will be hosting a blind soccer training camp in partnership with non-profit organisation, Soccability Canada. Soccability Canada is a charity focused on creating a cultural shift towards a barrier-free soccer landscape for anyone with a disability in Canada. Had Justin survived, he would have lived life blind. I know that this is an organisation that Justin would have resonated with, as he was passionate about sharing his love for soccer with people of all ages, abilities, barriers, and walks of life. Events like this would have allowed Justin to learn how to stay involved in the sport he loved.

Some of you may have noticed that I have been growing my hair for five years now. But, what you probably didn’t know, is that this is the reason why. I will be cutting my hair to raise money for this fundraiser, and I truly hope you will consider donating to this honourable cause. I am so lucky and privileged to have the opportunity to fulfil my dreams, as many of us often take this for granted. With the help of the fundraiser, in the name of Justin Masotti, I hope to encourage those with disabilities in Canada also to chase their dreams.

With great love and appreciation,

Luke

About the Organisation

Soccability Canada is the only nonprofit organisation focused on the growth of disability soccer in Canada. While thriving on the international stage with the men's and women's able-bodied national team programs, Canada Soccer still has a lot of work to do regarding the accessibility of the sport for everyone. Blind soccer is one of seven disability soccer streams and the only one in the Paralympics. Canada has the chance to send a team to Guatemala this winter for their first competition ever. I want to help make that a reality.

Soccability Canada is about soccer and the culture shift towards a barrier-free soccer landscape for anyone with a disability. Established to support the myriad of accessible soccer programs run in Canadian communities and to grow many more, we are building a single platform to expand the opportunities for players, coaches, match officials and leaders. We are here to ‘Grow The Game For All’.

To ensure any person with a disability has an opportunity to play, coach, officiate or participate in soccer in their community, with a pathway for further opportunities in the game.

How You Can Help

I am seeking donations in Justin Masotti’s name to help fund a blind soccer training camp at Tim Hortons Field. This event will help the promotion of blind soccer in Canada, and introduce a new wave of players to soccer, who have previously not had the opportunity to play. Hopefully, enough money will be raised to send a team to compete in Guatemala this winter.

When

October 2nd/2022 at 1pm

Where

Tim Hortons Field, 64 Melrose Ave North, Hamilton

If you are interested in getting involved with the event, please get in touch with me or Matt Greenwood, lead at Soccability Canada (www.soccability.ca)

*My hair will be donated to 'A Child's Voice Foundation' as part of their Angel Hair For Kids program that provides wigs and hair loss solutions for financially disadvantaged children that have lost their hair due to medical condition or treatment* (https://www.acvf.ca/)

More information and updates will be posted about the event in the lead-up to the date