Railway City FC by Peri Hayes Co-Chairs, Abbi Lezizidis and Cam Vassallo, are proud to speak on the newly licensed League 1, Semi-Pro Soccer Team during their inaugural season: “We are thrilled and excited to bring pro-am Soccer to the City of St. Thomas. We began this process three years ago. We manage Whitecaps London, a Youth Soccer Club based in London. As our club continued to grow, we needed the next level of play for athletes to continue their journey. We believe in the beauty and in all that it can provide players from networking to maybe, just maybe, the next National Team Star.” Based in St. Thomas, Railway City FC has seven home games each for both the men and women’s teams, with the same amount of matches across Ontario. Abbi and Cam present their history, “Three years ago, we met with Mayor Preston. We shared with him our vision, and he has supported us from the moment we met. He chose the name Railway City FC.” Abbi and Cam offer the following: “Until last season, League 1 was the highest level of play in Canada for the women’s game. That all changed this April with the introduction of Canada’s Professional Women’s Soccer League, named the Northern Super League.” Their season began on April 13th, with their first home game at 1Password Park upcoming on May 10th at 7:30 pm for the men’s team and on May 11th at 4:00 pm for the women’s. Moreover, each team has 18 players each, with four new teams in total -- two additional men’s and women’s teams playing in the U20 division. Asked what personally excites the pair about this debuting season for Railway City FC, they candidly highlight, “I could spend all day on this, but ultimately it’s all about watching the game be played at unbelievable speed. The technical and tactical part of the game is the most intriguing for us. The other piece that is as important is bringing pro-am soccer to a community that has had incredible talent over the years; most notably Sadie Waite, a player from St. Thomas who has played for U20 Team Canada and is at NCAA Division 1 in Nebraska. The ‘best of the best’ in the city don’t need to leave and go to the GTA anymore; they can stay home and enjoy their community.” As Abbi and Cam graciously express, “We would love to take a moment to publicly thank Mayor Joe Preston, the complete City Council, and a huge shout out to Jeff Bray from the Parks and Recreation Department. We simply would not be here without
them and their incredibly awesome team members. It takes a village to pull all this off. We are thankful for the support, and we can’t wait to showcase Railway City FC.” View their railwaycityfc.com/home website to learn more, as well as access their 1Password Park game schedule and their promotional video, about which Abbi and Cam announce, “There is lots of good data from a historian of St. Thomas at youtube/tSSsEDPm40Y.” Abbi and Cam delightedly conclude, “The same year that St. Thomas became incorporated in 1881 was the same year that soccer, ‘Football’, became an official sport in England.” Those with inquiries and interest in sponsoring the team can connect with Abbi at
abbi@whitecapslondon.ca, or through their Railway City FC social media.
Written by Norm Foster Doris And Ivy In The Home
June 18 to July 12
Doris, a brassy retired prison guard has just moved to Paradise Village, a retirement home in Canmore, Alberta. There she meets Ivy, a former championship skier, and this unexpected duo become fast friends. Add in the dashing Arthur, a former professor, and you have a little
PortStanley FestivalTheatre Summer Season 2025
LIFE MIGHT ACTUALLY BEGIN AT 65!
love, some sordid gossip, and lotsa whoopee in the compost heap!
www.psft.ca 5 19-782-4353
Hometown St. Thomas • May 2025 • Page 3
Get involved! Like us on Facebook!
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs