Indigenous Participation in Soccer

I am going to deviate slightly from the subject of directly speaking to economic development. I would like to address the subject of soccer.

Soccer is a sport that invites participation from all peoples. Unlike hockey (for example), where the price of involvement is almost elitist, the cost of participation in soccer is very minimal. As a sport, soccer develops leadership, teamwork, healthy lifestyle, and a sense of confidence that is critical to success in life, generally, and economic development/entrepreneurship, specifically.

Despite the simplicity of the sport, there is not a very high level of engagement within Indigenous communities in Canada. This is something that would not take much to start. Some places in Canada are starting to start things up, such as in BC, with the First Nation Soccer Association (http://fnsacanada.ca/).

They have even established a soccer scholarship: http://www.activecircle.ca/en/news-566-first-nations-soccer-association-announces.

So how do we get things started elsewhere, such as in Manitoba?

1. Tap into the soccer resources already available in the region. These include existing soccer training organizations (ie. World Soccer Academy in Winnipeg: http://www.world-soccer-academy.com/), Manitoba Major Soccer League (http://www.manitobamajorsoccer.com/), Manitoba Soccer Association (http://www.manitobasoccer.ca/), Mini U (http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/kinrec/bsal/miniu/summer/sports/gsoccer.php, http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/kinrec/bsal/miniu/summer/sports/super_soccer.php, http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/kinrec/bsal/miniu/summer/sports/bsoccer.php).

2. Gather community recreation leaders train them on what is required to get soccer started, what resources are available, and who they can connect with for support.

3. Using some of the resources above, organize soccer training camps (determine feasibility of having them hosted in communities, or regional centres, or transporting participants into Winnipeg). Perhaps ask of the resources identified above if any group would be interested in offering a camp free to help stimulate greater interest in the sport. This is what has been happening in BC (with good success): http://www.canada.com/sports/Soccer+camps+offered/6347176/story.html.

4. Spread the word. Share this blog post with your soccer contacts, with First Nation community contacts, with government contacts, with universities, with anyone who will listen.

Ken