Soccer gateways are still largely kept and monitored by men. Stefanie Morra will admit as much – she attended her first York9 FC match with her season-ticket-holding husband last month. But, glancing away from the pitch on that sunny June day at York Lions Stadium, Morra was destined to change the narrative. "I'm here and I don't see women," Morra told CanPL.ca about that first match. "I thought, 'we need more women in this stadium.' "I wanted something I can be part of where I can be comfortable in. There was nothing, so we made it." From there, the idea came: a female-driven supporters group offering a widened entrance into supporters culture and Canadian soccer as a whole. Morra is the founding member of York9 FC all-female supporters group 'Dames of York,' which officially launched this week, a month away from the CPL club's season opener on Easter Monday. "Being in the supporters' section, being one of the only women sometimes, I never really felt like I belonged," Morra said. "But, everything is so new with this club. No one belongs anywhere. Why not start our own group? Make yourself comfortable." RELATED READING: More on the Dames of York It's the "help yourself" mantra that has brought the Dames of York to life – specifically at York9's home kit launch and fan forum last week. Introducing herself as "the only woman you saw in the supporter section" last season, she witnessed her never-been-done idea – a female supporters group in Canadian soccer – catch fire with York9 players, coaches, and supporters. "York9 players were this weird mixture of totally happy but sunned," Morra said, adding she had great responses from coach Jimmy Brennan and other club staff. "I heard a lot of 'this is unheard of, there's nothing like this, it's so needed.'" "Everyone was so amazed but all I could say was, 'I don't know, I just want to feel more comfortable in the stadium'. Ultimately, if I’m coming back to the stadium as a season seat holder, I want to improve my experience from last year." Morra linked up with Marcella Hatmanu at the kit launch and fan forum, someone she caught glances of last season as another female around the supporter section. Their plan is to grow the group, starting with some awareness events in March. "We just need to make contact with people – Vaughan Mills, subway stations, Ontario Soccer Centre," Morra listed off ideas of potential face-to-face opportunities for other soccer-supporting females. "People get the feeling that soccer is for men, by men. Screw that. Having us out in the community with this club will change that for fans." York9 has produced a sign-up sheet for those interested in joining a group that, Morra said, promises a different, potentially more welcoming experience. "There's fun to be had and it doesn't have to be wild, male-dominant. It can be a different experience, as long as you show up. We don't want to be intimidating at all. Ultimately, we want to make it more accessible," Morra concluded. "Break down those old-school walls and see what happens." RELATED READING: Y9 coach Jim Brennan: ‘We have one goal: get to the final and win a championship’ Y9 has been fully supportive of the Dames of York, with Angus McNab, the club's Managing Consultant, getting directly involved to help the group grow its numbers. "When I met Stefani and Marcella at the home kit launch and they explained what they were looking to do, supporting them in launching the Dames of York became a priority," McNab said. "We gave them assistance in creating a logo/brand for women to unite behind in their support of the club but that’s only the first step. It is critical we help them grow the group’s membership as we have for the Green Lions (group that represents students). "Everyone at the club is delighted to welcome the Dames of York and recognize them as an official supporters group as we have with Generation IX and the Green Lions. It’s fantastic to recognize their formation on International Women’s Day as we also announce some other fantastic initiatives." To celebrate women and the Dames of York, the club will be hosting "Women’s Football Night" at their home game vs. Atlético Ottawa on July 24. York9 FC will partner with local outfit Brams United, an all-girls soccer club, who will conduct all of the match day ceremonies, and Canada Soccer will be providing an all-female officials crew. To become a member of the Dames of York, click here.

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