MAPLETON – Residents tuning in to the Major League Soccer 2024 Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star game later today may be pleasantly surprised to see a local face running the field.
Representing the Toronto FC soccer club on the Eastern Conference All-Star team, Mapleton resident Rourke Martin is selected to play forward in the starting lineup for the ninth annual Major League Soccer (MLS) 2024 Special Olympics Unified All-Star Game in Columbus, Ohio.
It's an "inclusive" event comprised of individuals living with intellectual disabilities and those without playing on the same team, Rourke will be competing for the Eastern Conference All-Stars alongside members from 26 MLS clubs and 52 Unified team members in an 11 versus 11 competitive match.
"I'm really excited," said Rourke, who said a highlight of the experience so far was when he got a high five of approval from the team's general manager in a phone interview with GuelphToday. "I'm hoping the east team beats the west."
Playing soccer since he was three years old, 21-year-old Rourke, who lives with developmental delays, said he's "really excited" to compete, make new friends and represent his town.
"We're just looking forward to him getting to enjoy this experience and soak it all in," said Heather Martin, Rourke's mom.
Since sharing the news, Heather said they've been overwhelmed with community support and it's been great to see his friends cheering for him and the community rallying and supporting her son in so many different ways.
Rourke also made the team last year and competed in Montreal.
"It's very exciting," said Heather. "Having these kinds of opportunities for him, it's just great because not many kids his age and with his disability get to do things like this."
The 2024 Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star Game will be played on Tuesday, July 23rd at 3:30 p.m. ET at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus.
Both East and West Unified All-Star teams will be recognized on-field before the MLS All-Star Game on July 24 at 8 p.m. ET.
The event will be televised on Apple TV and the MLS Youtube channel.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
