The You Can Play Project has partnered with Toronto’s Real Sports Apparel at Maple Leaf Square to sell an exclusive line of You Can Play merchandise and it’s on sale now exclusively at the Maple Leaf Square location.
The You Can Play product line features t-shirts, hoodies, golf shirts, caps, toques and accessories for both men and women with 50 percent of gross sales benefiting You Can Play. Proceeds will be used to continue You Can Play efforts to ensure full equality in sports through public service announcements (PSAs), speaking engagements and important resources for those in the sports world. Each product line item includes the distinctive You Can Play logo, and the simple, yet powerful message, “If You Can Play, You Can Play,” which speaks to inclusiveness and acceptance, regardless of an athlete’s or individual’s sexual orientation.
“You Can Play is thrilled and honored to actively work with Real Sports Apparel on this opportunity,” said Patrick Burke, co-founder of the You Can Play Project. “The generous financial contributions will help fund our work to end homophobia, and the visible nature of apparel will allow fans − both gay and straight − to know that Toronto’s sports community stands up for equality. We look forward to seeing the You Can Play logo worn proudly by fans and players alike.”
Founded in 2011, You Can Play is dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation. You Can Play works to guarantee that athletes are given a fair opportunity to compete, judged by other athletes and fans alike, only by what they contribute to the sport or their team’s success. You Can Play seeks to challenge the culture of locker rooms and spectator areas by focusing only on an athlete’s skills, work ethic and competitive spirit.
Additional merchandise will be available online at YouCanPlayProject.org beginning November 1. You Can Play is grateful to everyone at Real Sports for providing this exclusive opportunity.
