Matar Sine, a former PWYS Competitive Boys Team player turned psychology major at National Park College, is the embodiment of how opportunity and support can transform lives. Reflecting on his time with Play Where You Stay, Matar shares, “Play Where You Stay gave me freedom. It convinced me that soccer is the sport I want to pursue. Without it, I probably would have just kept running track.”

Matar joined the program during his junior year of high school, initially unsure about committing to soccer. But through the encouragement of friends and coaches like Maxi, he discovered a passion for the game and a sense of belonging he had never experienced in other sports. “Soccer is different. It’s a community,” Matar explains. “You get to express yourself on the field, and Play Where You Stay made that possible for me.”

The program’s focus on accessibility was another game-changer. “We didn’t have to worry about fees. Play Where You Stay gave us everything we needed—fields, soccer balls, lights—and we still competed with and beat teams paying far more,” he recalls. For Matar, this inclusivity extended beyond soccer, preparing him academically and socially for the transition to college. “They care about your GPA, your struggles in school—everything. They help you reach your potential on and off the field,” he says.

Now thriving as a college athlete, Matar credits his time with Play Where You Stay for teaching him critical life lessons and boosting his confidence. A pivotal moment came during a tournament game when Coach Maxi told him, “When you’re confident and smiling, you’re the best player on the field.” Those words continue to motivate Matar as he works toward his goals of becoming a consistent starter at a four-year university and, one day, representing Senegal’s national team.

Matar’s story is a testament to the transformative power of accessible programs like Play Where You Stay. He concludes, “Soccer gave me a reason to want more out of college. Now I have two paths—pursuing my education and playing the sport I love.”