- While the upcoming FIFA World Cup is expected to drive a surge in youth soccer participation, Toronto faces a severe shortage of fields and indoor facilities to accommodate the growth.
- Despite soccer being the most popular participation sport in Ontario, the city has only added two new sports fields in the last decade while the population has grown by half a million.
- The lack of year-round, full-size 11-a-side pitches is forcing clubs to split fields, increase costs for families, and turn away potential players.
- Infrastructure plans tied to the World Cup were scaled back due to budget constraints, leaving local clubs to advocate for private-public partnerships to fund artificial turf and winter domes.
- Experts warn that without significant investment in facility expansion, the city risks stalling the development of the next generation of players and the growth of professional circuits like the Northern Super League.
Read the full story here: https://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/world-cup/the-world-cup-will-give-soccer-a-boost-in-toronto-a-massive-problem-may-not-allow-it-to-grow/article_6dfae783-94bd-4c95-ae16-20843596824c.html
