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Tour 2014 - friends reunited in Toronto community

Wed 23 July 2014, 14:45|Tottenham Hotspur

The searing temperatures in Toronto did not prevent a memorable afternoon for around 60 local children at Sunnybrook Park on Tuesday.

A special visit from Tottenham Hotspur and Toronto FC stars past and present, as well as the Club’s Global Coaching team, put smiles on the faces of those young and old despite the heat.

Aaron Lennon and Younes Kaboul were joined by a number of former team-mates - not only Club Ambassador Ledley King, and not only Toronto-native Paul Stalteri, but also the city’s man of the moment, Jermain Defoe, alongside his current TFC strike partner, Bright Dike.

This incredible line-up joined in with the activities laid on by our coaches before taking part in a Q&A session that gave the group a special insight into what it takes to become a professional footballer at the top level, with all players having represented their countries - Defoe, King, Lennon (England), Kaboul (France), Stalteri (Canada), Dike (Nigeria).

The kids in attendance were made up from two groups - one from the U12 boys and girls teams of local club Toronto Nitros, and one from the Ontario arm of Special Olympics, the Club’s global partner charity that provides sporting opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

And if meeting players of this calibre was not enough, each participant was presented with either a replica Tottenham Hotspur or Toronto FC jersey, courtesy of our local Official Supporters Club, Spurs Canada.

Aaron said: “It’s great to be in Toronto and great to see so many kids turn up in the sunshine, being active, enjoying themselves, and getting to meet us guys.

“It’s important for us as players when we go on these Tours to get out of the hotel in between training sessions and get into the community. That’s what we have been doing throughout this trip and says a lot about what this Club stands for.”