GUELPH – Guelph United FC is hosting a fundraiser in honour of its former goalkeeper Svyatik Artemenko, who has returned to Odessa, Ukraine to fight with the Ukrainian military against the Russian invasion.
Keith Mason, coach of the soccer team that formed in 2020 and played (and won) its first season last year, said Artemenko was their number one goalie and just a stellar person.
“He is so personable, the most friendly guy and the fans loved him,” Mason said in a phone interview.
Artemenko was born in Ukraine and his family moved to Winnipeg when he was two.
He came to Guelph to play on the University of Guelph’s soccer team and was signed with the semi-pro Guelph United FC in 2020.
He went to Ukraine in January to try out for its professional soccer team and was signed to the team in February.
“Two days after he signed the contract, the Russians invaded Ukraine,” Mason said.
“He could have left – he is a Canadian citizen – but because his family is there and he’s from there, he decided it was his duty to stay and fight. So he enlisted.”
Watching the news, seeing the images of buildings destroyed and people trying to flee, has become all the more real, Mason said, because of Artemenko.
“It’s really brought the shock of war close to home for his coaches, his teammates and his fans here,” Mason said.
“As a club, we felt we must do something to help.”
Mason said he attended the fundraiser held at the Elora Café a few weeks ago, “and I thought this is what we should do in Guelph.”
So the team is hosting a fundraiser at the Italian-Canadian Club on March 24 from 6 to 10pm. There will be special guests, live music, food, a silent auction, and a darts tournament.
Guelph United players will also be there for a meet-and-greet, and the team will announce its new signings.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on the team’s website guelphunitedfc.ca.
Proceeds will go to the Canadian Red Cross’s Ukrainian relief effort.
The season home opener is on April 21 at the U of G’s Alumni Stadium and Mason said $2 of every ticket sold will also go to the fund, as will proceeds from the 50/50 draw.
Mason said he spoke with Artemenko every day until he was deployed. Now it’s been about two weeks with no communication.
“I just worry now. He’s probably in the middle of it,” Mason said.
He noted organizers haven’t set a goal but hopes that between the fundraiser and the home opener, funds raised will be substantial.
“It really is the smallest of gestures compared to what’s needed. They’ve lost everything. But we want to help in honour of our goalie,” Mason said.
For information about the team, tickets, the fundraisers, and other ways to help, visit guelphunitedfc.ca.
