In June 2008, I was given the responsibility of launching the Glasgow SYLA football team from scratch. It was my vision to enter the team into the renowned Scottish Unity League (www.scottishunityleague.co.uk/). Entry into the League itself was extremely competitive and there was a very strict selection process. During the month of July 2008, I campaigned for entry into the League and argued the team would unite law students, trainees and solicitors - all from various backgrounds - as one diverse unit. I argued the team had the potential to become one of the most diverse teams in the League. In August 2008, there were seven teams left competing for two available places. After weeks of campaigning and arguing the case for the team through various correspondences and presentations, I managed to secure a coveted place for the Glasgow SYLA football team. This was a huge achievement and essentially paved the way for the team to be formed. 

Subsequently, I engaged in an exhaustive advertising and PR campaign to attract players. I approached the Admin departments of Glasgow's three law schools and asked if they could send an internal e-mail to every LLB student at their institution informing them of the launch of the team along with details of how to get involved. I received a warm response from all three law schools and the internal e-mail was duly sent out. Soon after, I managed to form a team composed of students, trainees and qualified solicitors from all over the West of Scotland.

The Glasgow SYLA football team has proven that it is able to unite people from various backgrounds under one umbrella and effectively represents the legal community in Scotland as a truly diverse one.

About Yousif:

Yousif comes from a background of high-achievement in sport. He played Pro-Youth football for roughly seven years with notable football clubs: Celtic, Aberdeen, Hibernian, Queens Park, Dumbarton and Partick Thistle. Whilst playing for Queens Park, he was selected to be the Captain of the under-16s side which was, for him, a great honour and privilege. He also competed in the World Brondby Cup in Denmark with the East Kilbride Schools' Select. To date, Yousif has been offered various soccer-scholarships by numerous universities in the USA but has so far opted to finish his law degree in Scotland and instead pursue a career as a lawyer here in Scotland.
Since forming the Glasgow SYLA football team in 2008, Yousif now manages the team in the Scottish Unity League.