U-14 Head Coach Terry Dunfield and Ontario Soccer President Ron Smale were at Sunnybrook Hospital on Wednesday to present the Sunnybrook Foundation with a cheque donated in honour of the U-14 team’s Charity Shield victory.

The OPDL’s Charity Shield is the culmination of the OPDL season, bringing together the top teams in each age group for a final knockout tournament. The U-14 team took home the shield following a 5-0 victory over Richmond Hill in the final in November.

Every dollar accumulated from the tournament was donated to Ontario charities, as chosen by the winning teams in each age group.

Before the final match, all the players on the U-14 team were asked to submit their choice of charity and explain a reason why. Sunnybrook was chosen by the team following this submission written by Stefano Capano. The Capano family was on hand for today's presentation. 

“This is in honour of my cousin Lucia Virdo La Marca who very recently passed away after a battle with cancer.  
My cousin Lucia was a very compassionate and caring person. She was very special to me and will be forever missed.
I know that my family and I would be grateful for TFC Academy to request the Charity Shield donations be made to this cause. This to help others of both young like my cousin and all those who battle this disease become winners. 

I alongside my U-14 TFC teammates will do our best to make a small contribution to help make a difference in helping more cancer patients become survivors.”

For all those who passed like my cousin, may they rest in eternal peace.”