Meet Raina Fatima, PFC’s Technical Program Coordinator of our club’s year-round All Abilities program. 

Raina joined the fold in 2021 and has since positioned the Pickering Football Club as a leader in serving the disabled soccer community within the Greater Toronto Area. Her ability to create lasting friendships within our membership and foster an environment of respect, connection, and collaboration has allowed Raina to elevate PFC as a space where athletes feel motivated to attend and comfortable developing at their own pace.

Having discovered our All-Abilities program online, Raina slowly worked her way up to her current leadership role, with volunteer and coaching stints sprinkled between her four years at the club. Not knowing what to expect upon joining our All-Abilities team, Raina was eager to step outside her comfort zone and, like the many volunteers who have joined after her, fell in love with the program almost instantly. 

“I had never heard of a program that was helping children with disabilities play soccer,” said Raina. “To see the growth of the program from when I first started and meaningfully connect with the staff and families, and to leave a profound impact on the club has been an honour and a privilege” she added. 
Growing weekly attendance has been one of Raina’s most significant impacts throughout her brief tenure with PFC thus far, more than tripling the number of athletes engaging in our programming from week to week and helping them find a consistent source of fun both on and off the field. 

Making these weekly sessions feel like a form of escapism for athletes and their families continues to be Raina’s main goal and one steeped in her personal desire to remedy the seclusion endured by her members daily. 

“A lot of these athletes express to me how they often feel excluded, disconnected from physical activity, and find it hard to get their bodies moving throughout the week,” explained Raina.  “By coming out to All Abilities every week, we're able to foster the sense of consistency and connection where everyone just feels accepted for who they are. It’s a non-judgmental space where we can just be silly, goofy, fun and just bond over our love for soccer,” she added.

It’s the strengthening of the touchpoint and connection between sport and athlete that constantly keeps our All Abilities program immersed in benefiting the entirety of our membership. 

To Raina, refining this link begins with fostering committed relationships with the families of her program’s athletes and forming an understanding between parents, coaches and volunteers on the needs of each individual. 

“When it comes to their children, I think every parent just wants the best for them,” said Raina. The fact that they're able to put this trust into our program and trust that our coaches can diligently lead athletes towards unlocking their full potential is a really special thing.”

Raina has been a catalyst in breaking down the barriers and challenges of every athlete that enters the PFC fold. Uniquely working with every one of her members on a personal level has allowed Raina to not only transcend the physical limits perceived by her athletes but also defy the capabilities and capacity of our club’s very own All Abilities program entirely.

Being able to take athletes’ confidence to new heights is the foundation of what makes Raina and our All Abilities program meaningful to the Pickering community. Through nearly a half decade of working with impaired athletes, Raina has come to learn that the key to boosting belief from one athlete to another requires time, and a strong desire to use that time to really get to know her members on a personal level. 

Understanding the interests, hobbies and personalities of every athlete that joins the All Abilities fold are ways in which Raina, her volunteer staff, and coaches can begin to form that connection with sport while also helping athletes realize they’re working towards developing something much bigger than physical independence on the pitch. 

“At the end of the day, these athletes can achieve anything that they put their mind to. We really try to instill a sense of dedication and motivation on the field because we want all athletes to feel empowered, truly believe in themselves, and never feel limited,” said Raina. 

Since stepping into her current role, Raina has helped establish partnerships with other local soccer associations from across the GTA, with Newmarket Football Club and North Toronto Soccer Club being two areas of the city that have become program touchpoints under her leadership. All-Abilities is integral to the life of our club and vital to its continued success. So is Raina and the dedication she brings to make our community a better space for all. 

Our All Abilities program has never been better at PFC! Without the help of our dedicated coaches, volunteer staff, and Raina, the community of Pickering would be deprived of a space where people with disabilities can rally around and better themselves. 

Tap here to learn more about our All-Abilities program at PFC. The Holland Bloorview and PFC Soccer Fundamental programs are open to new registrants for Winter 2026 and in search of volunteers. 

Get Involved Today!