Bryan Gafiuk, an Aspiring Young Footballer

My story:

Hello, my name is Bryan Gafiuk. I’m a 16 year old soccer goalkeeper based in Edmonton, Alberta. Ever since I've been a kid it has been a dream of mine to play professionally or receive a scholarship to play for a University club. My family are hardworking people and support me in everything I do, but a new opportunity that has come my way is beyond their ability at this moment.

The offer:

Recently I was offered the opportunity to play in an elite-level soccer club in Victoria, British Columbia with the Victoria Highlanders and continue my high school education there. The program is highly reputable and is one step closer to becoming a professional player. Becoming a professional has been a dream of mine ever since I was a kid.

The club:

http://www.highlandersfc.ca/

The cost:

I need to raise $25,000 in the next few months to be able to accept this offer. I will have to fly there, pay monthly fees to train, and pay for food. The club will find me a place to billet to help reduce the cost of my time there. As part of my club training, I will also have the opportunity to go to Germany for two months of elite-level training and play against professional academy teams. All of these expenses are part of the $25K I am hoping to raise. My dad and I have been collecting bottles, and my dad picks up Uber shifts as a second job, but unfortunately, by doing this, we will not be able to meet our goals this way.

Here is the budget we built for my first year there:

This opportunity to take my soccer to the next level is the invitation of a lifetime and if I can not raise the funds for the monthly club/tuition fees and living expenses for a year I will have to decline the offer and the position will be given to another player. I have been playing soccer since I was little and am extremely passionate about the game. I have made sure to keep my grades high and I am a very strong academic student as well. I have been able to maintain a 91 average in my first year of high school while taking accelerated courses. This opportunity to join this club is such a massive opportunity for me to develop. I don’t want money to be the reason I can’t attempt to reach my goals and dreams.

I am hoping soccer fans or sports fans might feel inclined to help me realize my goal. I know there are so many worthy causes out there to support, so even $10 would be appreciated!

You can follow my progress on social media at Bryan_gk23 on Instagram.

Letters of Support:

^Michael Lounsbury, Professor, University of Alberta School of Business^

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