September 30th, 2023
2023 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
2023 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, recognized on September 30th, is an important day to honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families.
BC Soccer and all stakeholders are invited to honour September 30th by understanding and acknowledging the opportunities to advance the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Soccer activities and programs will occur across the province on September 30th, therefore, organizations and individuals are invited to recognize the date under the true spirit of reconciliation.
As part of this, we encourage members and affiliated clubs to engage with indigenous communities to learn more about how you can better collaborate or create opportunities to learn more about the land and its People. BC Soccer is pleased to also be on this journey where we participated in an important discussion around Indigenous Long-Term Participant Development Pathway: Supporting Indigenous Participation.
BC Soccer, in partnership with ISPARC, participation in the Indigenous Long–Term Participant Development Pathway (ILTPD) workshop in the Kwantlen First Nation. The workshop is designed to help sports activity leaders and organizations across Canada enhance their understanding of how to support Indigenous participants and athletes within their programming. This is the first step towards completion of a meaningful action plan that will guide the organization to increase cultural awareness and understanding of the shared history of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada, increase understanding of the mainstream sports system and Indigenous sports system in Canada and develop concepts and ideas to support participants’ physical, mental (intellectual and emotional), spiritual, and cultural needs.
For more information about ISPARC, please click here.
BC Soccer Associate Member, Hope and Health Celebrates Ten-Year Anniversary of ‘Hope and Health’ Community Camp
Hope and Health creates natural mentoring exposures wherein the children and youth will connect with non-parental adults within their Indigenous community, as well as those within the professional sports community. As we acknowledge National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we also celebrate the work of our sports communities in creating opportunities for Indigenous participants and educating their members about Indigenous history. Promoting diversity and inclusiveness stands as a fundamental principle in both sports and reconciliation efforts. When sport offers chances for individuals from various backgrounds to take part, spectate, and engage, it sends a compelling message of belonging. For Indigenous athletes, engaging in sports can serve as a means of empowerment and recovery, enabling them to honour their cultural legacy while showcasing their talents on an international platform.
For more information about Hope and Health, please click here.
BC Soccer encourages its member organizations and their affiliates to join in recognizing “Orange Shirt Day,’ an Indigenous-led commemorative day to honour Indigenous children and educate Canadians about the harmful impact the residential school system had and continues to have on Indigenous peoples and communities.
Celebrating Indigenous Representation at the 2023 Futsal Canadian Championships
In an exciting development for British Columbia's soccer scene, the 2023 Futsal Canadian Championships took place back in April at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex in Calgary, Alberta. What made this year's championship particularly noteworthy was that it marked the inaugural participation of British Columbia in both the men's and women's divisions!
Representing British Columbia in the Women's and Men’s 2023 Futsal Canadian Championships were the inspiring NIFA Pacific FC and Pacific Futsal squad. Since its inception, NIFA (Native Indian Football Association) has been steadfast in its vision of empowering Indigenous athletes to compete on national and international stages while nurturing and mentoring them along this remarkable journey. With their inclusion in the championship, NIFA Pacific FC not only realizes their dream of competing on the national stage but also provides a valuable platform for the next generation of indigenous Futsal players to showcase their exceptional talents.
For more information about NIFA, please click here.
BC Soccer Resources
The BC Soccer ‘Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Plan’ is designed to be a multidisciplinary plan, encompassing all initiatives, programs and services delivered by BC Soccer that support and promote participation in a safe and inclusive environment that is free of abuse, harassment, discrimination, and to enjoy the sport at whatever level or capacity they participate in!
For more information about BC Soccer’s DEI Plan, please click here.
BC Soccer extends a warm invitation to everyone to join in the world of soccer. We firmly believe that embracing diversity and dismantling barriers to promote inclusivity and equity is a fundamental aspect of supporting the broader soccer community. BC Soccer's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy is aimed at advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion as fundamental components of soccer in British Columbia.
For more information about BC Soccer’s DEI Policy, please click here.
BC Soccer offers an array of grants for organizations to assist in the development of more inclusive and welcoming environments. Promoting inclusion of underrepresented groups into soccer including but not limited to indigenous peoples.
For more information about BC Soccer’s available grants, please click here.
BC Soccer aims to identify and remove barriers to participation among under-represented groups, and in the case of First Nations Communities, there is so much for us to learn, which we are committed to doing. We are on a mission to identify and eliminate obstacles to participation, especially among groups that are underrepresented. In the case of First Nations communities, there is a wealth of knowledge for us to acquire, and we are fully committed to this learning process!
