YUFC Player of The Month

January - Robert Okeny - Under 18 Dynamo

Robert had an amazing month of soccer and really played well in numerous games. He started out on January 3rd playing up with the men's Premier team in Regina and helping the team come away with a 1 - 1 tie against the 2nd place team in Regina's top league. Then on the January 22nd weekend Robert once again played with the men's team, this time with Yorkton's Division 2 Men's team in the Annual RSA tournament. Though the team didn't fare well, Robert lead the team in scoring with 4 goals and was the top player on the team, quite an accomplishment for a 16 year old. Lastly, Robert played with his age group at the ACFC tournament on the January 29th weekend and led his team to a gold medal. His team dominated the tournament and Robert played every minute of all 4 games in the tournament scoring a total of 6 goals.

Player Spotlights

Dillon Ferridge

I was lucky enough to be a part of both the youth and the men's YUFC's programs. My youth years with YUFC formed the foundation of my soccer career. With part of the coaching staff having played at high levels of soccer and part having been around the game for most of their lives it made for an excellent combination of coaching ability.

While playing for YUFC I had many memorable experiences full of wins, losses, and championship titles. The coaches pushed me hard but kept in mind I was there to have fun. When I started to play with the men it was quite the opposite of what one could expect for being a young rookie on a new team. I can't say I've ever been part of a team more welcoming than the YUFC men. While winning titles was fun the best part of YUFC was the unmatched team comradery supported by the coaches and staff.

I am now part of the Simon Fraser University Varsity Men's soccer team who will soon be the first soccer team in Canadian history to be part of the NCAA. It is because of YUFC's greatness that I am where I am today and why they are not only a part of my past but also a part of my future, which I very much look forward to.

- Dillion

Steven DeLong

Playing for Yorkton United F.C. has been one of the greatest experiences of my life and has opened doors for me that I would have never thought possible in soccer.

Until Grade 9 I had never considered soccer "my sport" until I joined the Yorkton United Men's team and from then on soccer became my life. Threw the Yorkton United club I have met some of my best friends and continue to come home to play with the team every summer despite where I am. Beyond the friendships I have made, Yorkton United has shaped me as a player threw great coaching, excellent training facilties and a fun and enjoyable atmosphere that makes you want to keep coming back time and time again.

Yorkton United soccer has given me the abilities to compete at a high level which has led me to visit numerous places for soccer alone, which include: Brandon, MB. Kimberly, BC. Halifax, NS. Monterey, Mexico and St.John's Newfoundland where I currently attend university at Memorial University of Newfoundland & Labrador. Without Yorkton United F.C. none of this would have been possible, and I can't express my graditude enough for everything the club has done for me.

- Steven

Bailey Popowich

I would never be where I am today without the support and the experiences the Yorkton United Soccer Club have given me. While in high school I played for the Regional Raiders, for Yorkton United FC, for ACFC in Regina, for the Edmonton Force team in the Super Y league and for The Ottawa Fury also in the Super Y league. While playing for Edmonton and Ottawa we won our division for both summers and I played in the North American Finals in Florida twice. Presently I am at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey on a 4 year soccer scholarship. I am playing division 1 university soccer and getting my degree in Chemistry.

The YUFC coaches and players have helped me along my soccer career by accepting me into their practices, inviting me to tournaments, and teaching me the skills I need to be the division 1 athlete I am today. I am very grateful to the club for the knowledge and competition they provided. I use these skills everyday here at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Thank you to Alfredo Burmudez, who taught me the game when I first started getting serious about soccer and believing in me from the start. Thank you to Benno Loft who helped me perfect my technical skills. He taught me how to be a hard worker.
Thank you to Michael Jakubiec and the men’s soccer team for allowing me to come to practices and always being very welcoming towards me.

Thank you to all my soccer friends as they helped me enjoy and have fun with soccer.

The Yorkton United Football Club has played a major role in my soccer life and I am proud to have been apart of it.

- Bailey