From washing jerseys at TMU to working at the 2026 World Cup
In 2014, TMU grad Spencer Ure began doing laundry three hours a week for TMU’s varsity men’s soccer team.
Today, he’s still doing laundry – this time, for the Canadian men’s soccer team in the 2026 World Cup.
“I was a career boost student,” he says of his time at TMU. “I would wash the men's soccer jerseys and repack them later that week. That was the start."
Today, the former TMU Bold equipment manager is the equipment supervisor and administrative assistant for the Canadian men’s national soccer team.
Equipment and beyond
Say “equipment manager,” and most Canadians picture hockey gear and sharpening skates – not soccer. But Ure's role is more involved than many may think.
Since 2021, his job has been to make sure players have what they need to perform: jerseys, boots, balls, cones, training mannequins, apparel, travel logistics, last-minute emergencies, substitution cards and more.
And don’t forget the laundry – lots of it.
With a full roster, Team Canada can generate the equivalent of five or six industrial loads daily. And when they’re travelling, it adds up.
"If we have about 110 pieces of team equipment and we have 30 players and 30 staff, that's another probably 80 personal bags… So we're looking at about 200 pieces, and that's going on trucks, into hotels, onto the planes,” he said.
Sometimes, Ure even finds himself underneath the airplane making sure every bag fits.
"When they say, 'Oh, we're full,' ... I go up there to see if maybe I can rejig things a bit," he said.
Spencer Ure, second from left, stands with members of the Canadian men’s soccer team – including Jonathan David to his left (when looking at the photo) and Jonathan Osorio to his right. (Photo: Audrey Magny/Canadian Soccer Association)
TMU gives more than career ‘boost’
While being part of a World Cup – his first in Canada, and his second with the team (Ure was with the team in Qatar in 2022 as well) is a dream – it isn’t one he initially planned.
From 2013-17, Ure was a TMU student studying environmental and urban sustainability. Early on, he felt unsure about his next steps.
Having always loved sports, when a career boost (student job) opportunity came his way with Athletics, he decided to give it a shot.
For three hours a week, Ure washed the men’s soccer uniforms, hung them to dry and packed them for games.
Those small tasks quickly grew into bigger responsibilities – managing equipment of other teams, then inventory work, then repairs – and even sewing. "I learned a lot," he said.
Spencer Ure, standing at centre, on duty as equipment manager for the TMU varsity hockey team in 2017. (Photo: Alex D’Addese/TMU Athletics)
"In soccer, if something is ripped, it gets thrown out. But in hockey, a guy will keep his shoulder pads for his life – so it's a lot of stitching and repatching,” he said.
Ure credits Alana Goulden, TMU’s former manager of Sport Operations – now equipment manager with the Toronto Sceptres – for taking him under her wing in the role.
He also praises mentor Chris Nadavallil, manager of Facilities, Management and Development at TMU, for helping in his career.
After graduating in 2017, Ure continued building experience with the Bold before joining Toronto FC, and eventually joining Canada Soccer in 2021.
Connection with team
While his efforts aren’t on the pitch, Ure is very much part of the team.
Since he’s younger and “on the ground,” he says, players tend to open up in ways they might not with coaches or medical staff.
“We have tons of idle time at the hotel, so, guys are swinging by to chat and catch up, things like that,” he said.
“Growing up, going to TFC games, I used to see Jonathan Osorio play. Now, I’ve worked with him for eight, nine years, and I even invited him to my wedding reception this summer,” he said.
As friendly as the connections are, Ure remains in awe of the squad, noting that the men’s team has climbed from “like, 100th” in 2018 to the top 30.
"These are some of the best athletes… And all I do is wash their underwear,” he joked.
Game day: June 12
As he looks ahead to the World Cup on home soil, Ure says it hasn’t sunk in yet.
“To be able to have it 15 minutes away from my house – I don't think it'll ever happen again. It'll be very, very special,” he said.
On game day, Ure will arrive hours before kickoff to set up the dressing room, hang jerseys, organize equipment and more.
"My core role is basically just to be ready for anything to happen," he said, noting that he even brings a heat press to the stadium to add names and numbers to jerseys for last minute roster changes.
Spencer Ure shares his many duties as equipment manager with Canada Soccer during a tour of the stadium in Edmonton. (Photo: Audrey Magny/Canadian Soccer Association)
While his role is largely unchanged, he knows this tournament is special.
BMO Field is home. It’s where Ure has spent countless hours working and preparing teams for play.
Now it will host the biggest sporting event on the planet.
"A World Cup is in Canada, the world stage is here," he said, still amazed by how his path to it began.
It’s a lesson he wants to share with other TMU students: Get involved.
“The university has a lot to offer that isn't just school. It’s a chance to try new things. You never know where it might lead,” he said.
And when the opening match finally arrives against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto on June 12?
At kickoff, there will be butterflies. And at the final whistle?
Ure smiles.
"Hopefully, jumping up with my arms up, excited, hugging.”
