By Isabella Disley
It couldn’t have been a more perfect day for soccer at Eugène Martineau Field. Alongside warm temperatures and light breeze were the sights and sounds of cheering, clapping and kicks of soccer balls.
It’s a scene seen at countless soccer pitches across Ottawa, but not quite as regularly in this corner of town. For years, Vanier has been teeming with youngsters eager to expend their energy in sports, but there were limited organized opportunities available.
Many groups shied away from offering programs due to the difficulty in finding people who are able to volunteer and families who could afford to pay registration fees.
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But the Ottawa Internationals Soccer Club was keen to overcome those obstacles and launched a new site this summer in the community just north of Collège La Cité and Carson’s Grove.
“We’re excited to make sure all the kids and families know that there’s gonna be opportunities to play right here at this field, where they live,” Internationals general manager Graeme Bali highlighted on the program’s postcard kickoff day. “A lot of kids don’t have the opportunity to travel to games. It’s really important to just play in your neighbourhood and get an opportunity to play.”
The Internationals, who have traditionally operated in the central part of Ottawa, are well-known for their support of players of all means. The club works with many groups supporting newcomers and low-income families.
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“One of the biggest things we do is try to break down as many barriers as we can to play. Today is an opportunity for us to give back to the community, but also make sure the kids get the right message that playing is better than not playing,” Bali adds. “The most rewarding part is seeing the kids have fun and develop. As we tell everybody, at Internationals, we develop people’s new sport, and our sport happens to be soccer.”
At the Internationals’ community spotlight event, participants of course kicked the soccer ball around, but they also took on challenges like Hungry Hippos, Beaver Tails, a mini obstacle course, jumping over small hurdles, teamwork challenges to retrieve soccer balls and a tag-style competition. OISC’s U14 girls’ and boys’ teams then played a friendly match on the main field for all to watch.
Internationals technical director Peter Mapendere noted that many kids from the neighbourhood spied all the excitement going on at the park and were drawn to join in.
“The atmosphere has been great for kids,” he signalled. “I think this location deserves to have somebody like Ottawa Internationals.”
Mapendere added that putting a smile on kids’ faces is the most important part of the program, along with using soccer to instill life skills and physical activity.
“For me, soccer is more than just a game. It really brings the community together,” Mapendere underlined. “This whole community, I can explain it one way: family.”
Bali concurred wholeheartedly, particularly since he met his wife through soccer and he’s enjoyed watching his kids play and coach in the sport.
He hopes the sport can make a large impact on all Internationals players, and he hopes the club’s presence in new areas can make a positive impact on those communities.
“Soccer brings together people,” Mapendere added. “It doesn’t matter your language, it doesn’t matter your background. Once we are here for soccer, we are united towards one goal.”
Photo gallery by Isabella Disley
This article is part of the Ottawa Sports Pages’ Inclusion in Sport series. Read more about local sport inclusion initiatives at: OttawaSportsPages.ca/Ottawa-Sports-Pages-Inclusion-In-Sport-Series/.