Around 50 kids from BGC Central Vancouver Island participated in a day of soccer fun courtesy of the Vancouver Whitecaps. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

love of the game

VIDEO: ‘Activity leads to positive mental health:’ Whitecaps bring soccer camps to Nanaimo

Jul 26, 2023 | 4:29 PM

NANAIMO — Kids from BGC Central Vancouver Island were treated to a free soccer camp this week, courtesy of the Vancouver Whitecaps.

A community soccer session was held at Bayview Elementary on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 25, with Whitecaps junior coaches giving around 50 kids between the ages of six to 14 years old a major league soccer experience.

Executive director of BGC Karen Love said it’s an important program to learn some critical life skills for kids who may not get a chance to otherwise.

“It’s all those other skills they’re learning: leadership, teamwork, conflict resolution, so we certainly saw that today at the first summer camp. We always want to make sure they get opportunities they don’t always necessarily get exposed to.”

In total, around 200 kids will take part in the program this week across the central Island.

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“If families can’t afford to register kids in organized sports, we know just know with the economic outlook, it’s very expensive for everything, that includes putting your kids into activities,” said Love. “Just being able to keep those kids engaged long term and give them activity, because we know that activity leads to positive mental health.”

Manager of community development with the Whitecaps Ryan Sidhu said the day starts with the basics and finishes with a soccer game in the afternoon.

The kids also come away from the event with more than simply a newfound love of the game.

“Everybody gets to take home their own soccer ball, some Whitecaps swag, and a take-home drill kit. The whole goal is they had a ton of fun today, got interested in the game of soccer, and then we want to give them enough to take home to be able to continue playing.”

Nine-year-old Adrianna attends Chase River Elementary and really enjoyed her time getting a chance to learn from professional soccer players.

“Everything was fun. Thank you to the Whitecaps for bringing us here.”

Fellow nine-year-old Cooper also appreciated the Whitecaps junior coaches who came out to show him some skills. But mostly, he was excited about the swag.

“It’s really cool to get a Whitecaps ball, magnet and stuff like that.”

The Whitecaps host other soccer camps around the Central Island this week, stopping at syuẁén’ct Elementary School on Wednesday, July 26 and then moving up to Qualicum beach on Thursday, July 27.

Kids were eager to get autographs from some of the Vancouver Whitecaps community soccer coaches like Killian Dove (right) (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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