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Emily Di Natale Spotlight

Soccer (W) Ilyas Hussein

Chapters of passion tell the story of Emily Di Natale

It's a chilly October Saturday afternoon in downtown Toronto. The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women's soccer team is facing off against crosstown rivals the Toronto Varsity Blues at Varsity Stadium. Earlier in the week, the two teams went head-to-head at Downsview Park, where the Blues ran away with a 4-0 victory. This time, the Bold are seeking revenge. 

The white, blue and gold come out of the gates storming in the first five minutes. A high press motivated by the sour taste of defeat two nights prior put the Blues on their back heels. The sound of the TMU players' cleats is heard digging into the pitch as they push the pace. The confidence among the TMU starting 11 is sensed within the stadium. They are here to play. 

In the sixth minute, a Bold cross into the box results in a loose ball bouncing around near the Blues' goal. The ball falls right in front of Emily Di Natale, who — with every part of her body — makes sure it goes in to give the Bold the early lead. Immediately, the sound of the uproar from the Bold is heard ringing around downtown Toronto. 

"It was such an important goal. It wasn't the most beautiful one I've ever scored or anything, but it was a result of passion and desire to score," said Di Natale. "I only scored then because I really wanted it." 
  It had not been an easy road for Di Natale up to that point. The second-year midfielder fell in love with the sport at an early age, but a tough journey made her lose her affection for it at times.

Her fondness for the world's most popular sport began as a child. Her father and older sister by five years coached her Timbits team named "Bugs Bunny." The young squad wore bright orange shirts that were noticeable from a mile away. 

At every game, her mother and little sister would be in the stands cheering her on. The family activity struck home with the young Di Natale, who grew up on the sidelines watching her older sister play the sport. 

"My family always jokes about how we've all been raised on the soccer field," said Di Natale with a smile on her face. "My mom and dad would bring me to the field when she was playing and I did the same with my little sister. So, it was a cascade."
 
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A young Di Natale is pictured in one of her club uniforms. Courtesy: Emily Di Natale

However, after her experience with the "Bugs Bunny" squad Di Natale never truly found a soccer home before TMU. The Vaughan, Ont. native moved between teams in her hometown to Kleinburg, Ont. and Markham, Ont. from the ages of eight to 14. She then played with the Toronto Blizzard Club for the majority of her high school career before making a final transfer to a team in Oakville, Ont. 

In each new place, she had never had a secured spot on the roster. 

"It's tough to have your spot on a team when people have already been there for a while," said Di Natale.

 "It taught me how to face adversity," she added. "It taught me some life skills in terms of connecting with people and not letting things stop me from achieving what I want to achieve." 

Throughout that stretch, Di Natale's exuberant passion for the sport had slowly dwindled. The constant stress caused by battling at every practice and game for a chance to play made the sport tough to enjoy. 

"I feel like I just started enjoying soccer again this year," said Di Natale. 

In her second season at her new home in TMU, she was given a more prominent role. Di Natale featured in all thirteen games played in 2022 and started in nine of them — including their single playoff appearance.  

"I love all of my teammates and I can say that wholeheartedly," added Di Natale. "I feel like a lot of the girls have become such a huge part of my life and are some of my best friends."
 
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The Bold ended up losing 5-2 to the Blues in the game she scored the first goal of her university career in and once again in the playoffs 2-0. However, the mood within the locker room was never truly down. The squad in blue and gold held their heads up high after every performance – even after the disappointing end to the season. 

"It was a tough loss, but not as tough as it could have been," said Di Natale about the playoff defeat. "We lost 2-0 to a team we had previously lost 5-2 and 4-0 to. So, all things considered, we were always going to be the underdogs against them and I think we put up an amazing fight," she added. 

"When we're in the change rooms, we never said 'we have to win this game,' it was more of a motivation to make them work for it." 

Despite the fact Di Natale lost her adoration for soccer at certain stages, something she had an appetite for was journalism. The 19-year-old is in her second year at the journalism school at TMU, the highest-rated of its kind in the country. 

In her time in high school, Di Natale realized this was the career path she wanted to embark on. During that period, she had signed up to write for her school's newspaper. Although she now does not think too fondly of her stories back then, they helped kickstart her excitement for the industry. 

"There wasn't a lot of doubt for me, it was just like 'yeah, journalism is my thing.' I didn't really apply anywhere else," said Di Natale. "It has always been journalism for me." 

While completing her Bachelor of Journalism, Di Natale is also working on completing a politics minor on the side as she has continually liked discussing political issues throughout her life. 

She finds herself, at times, thinking about what type of journalism she would like to do in the future, but regardless, Di Natale knows she's in the right place. 

In her short time at the university, her favourite course so far has been Critical Issues in Journalism as the class touches on subjects she is passionate about. 

"I envision myself doing journalism that makes a change or affects things I care about," she added.  

Di Natale's young life is already like a book with many chapters. In it, she's found and lost her love for many things, including soccer and journalism. However, when she put the ball into the back of the net on that chilly Saturday afternoon in downtown Toronto she finally felt settled in the current stage of her journey as there are many more pages left to be written.
 
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Players Mentioned

Emily Di Natale

#12 Emily Di Natale

MF
5' 7"
2

Players Mentioned

Emily Di Natale

#12 Emily Di Natale

5' 7"
2
MF