An outstanding 100 organisations from across the country will host Canada Soccer’s Free Kicks – Try It Events to help welcome new-to-Canada participants and celebrate inclusion in organised soccer. The events will run from March to May with the support of Canada Soccer’s grassroots development grants and the Government of Canada’s Community Sport for All initiative through the Ministry of Sport and Physical Activity.
“Through Canada Soccer’s Free Kicks – Try It Events, clubs from coast to coast across the nation have been encouraged to promote a safe, fun and welcoming environment for new-to-Canada participants in the beautiful game. With more than $1.2-million invested back into our sport through the support of the Government of Canada, Canada Soccer can help build upon programs that support our youth, coaches, referees and emerging leaders so that they can be positively impacted and grow within the sport they love,” shared Charmaine Crooks, Canada Soccer President.
Across several initiatives, Canada Soccer will invest more than $1.2 million in programming to provide more Canadians with opportunities to experience the power of sport. Initiatives already include the Free Kicks – Try It Events, Canada Soccer in Schools, and Canada Soccer’s IDEA Learning program (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility)
“This initiative not only promotes the sport within our community, but also provides a valuable platform for new Canadians to connect, integrate, and feel valued in their new environment. Your commitment to fostering inclusion and accessibility in soccer is truly commendable and it resonates deeply with our association’s values,” shared Tyler Hillstead, Technical Director at Weyburn Soccer Association.
The 100 Canadian organisations will receive cumulative $100,000 in grants to help support their Free Kicks – Try It Events ($1,000 grant for each organisation). The 100 events take place across the country between 1 March and 31 May 2024 with an emphasis on welcoming more new-to-Canada participants and celebrating inclusion within each soccer organisation.
Canada Soccer provides leadership in the pursuit of excellence in soccer, nationally and internationally, in cooperation with its members and stakeholders. Working collaboratively with our partners, Canada Soccer strives to lead Canada to victory and Canadians to a life-long passion for soccer.
BRITISH COLUMBIA / COLOMBIE-BRITANNIQUE
Abbotsford Soccer Association
Burnaby Football Club
Coastal FC
Coquitlam Metro-Ford SC
Faly Academy
Fusion FC
Gorge Soccer Association
Juan De Fuca Soccer Association
Thompson Okanagan FC (Kelowna United)
Marpole Soccer Club Association
Port Moody Soccer Club
Prince Rupert Youth Soccer Association
Thompson Okanagan FC (Kelowna United)
Westcastle International Academy
West Vancouver Football Club
YUKON
Whitehorse United Football Club
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES / TERRITOIRES DU NORD-OUEST
NWT Soccer
ALBERTA
BTB Soccer Club
Calgary Blizzard Soccer Club
Calgary Foothills Soccer Club
Calgary Northside Soccer Club
Calgary Properties Soccer Association
Calgary South West United Soccer Association
Edmonton North Zone SA
International Eastside Soccer Club
Mckenzie United Soccer Club
Muslim Association of Canada MAC United
North Calgary FC
SC Central Alberta
Sherwood Park District Soccer Association
Southwest Chinooks Soccer Association
Spartans Soccer Club and Academy
St. Albert Soccer Association
Viktoria Soccer Club
SASKATCHEWAN
ASTRA Sports Inc.
Aurora Soccer Club
FC Regina
Forza Soccer Academy
Lakewood Soccer Association
Weyburn Soccer Association
MANITOBA
Bonivital Soccer Club
Brandon United Football Cooperative
FC Northwest
Impact Soccer Academy
Morden Minor Soccer Association
ONTARIO
Brams United Soccer Club
Caboto Soccer Club
Caledon Soccer Club
Erin Mills Soccer Club
Fergus Elora District Soccer Club
Gloucester Dragons Soccer Club
Milton Youth Soccer Club
Mississauga Soccer Academy
Mount Hamilton Youth Soccer Club
Niagara Falls Soccer Club
Nipissing District Soccer Club
North Toronto Soccer Club
North York FCOshawa Kicks
Ottawa Glouester Hornets Soccer
Pickering Football Club
Richmond Hill Soccer Club
Saltfleet Stoney Creek Soccer Club
Sault Youth Soccer Club
St. Catharines Club Roma Soccer
Superior Rush FC
Thunder Bay Chill
Waterloo Minor Soccer Club
West Ottawa Soccer Club
Windsor Soccer Club
QUÉBEC
Association de soccer du Plateau
Club de soccer de Chibougamau
Club de soccer de Forestville
Club de soccer les Phoenix de Ste-Félicité
Club de soccer de Longueuil
Club de soccer les Cosmos de Granby
Club de soccer Lévis-Est
Club de soccer Optimum de Victoriaville
Club de soccer Soulanges
Club de soccer St-Jérôme
Club soccer Roussillon
Soccer Anjou
NEW BRUNSWICK / NOUVEAU-BRUNSWICK
Association sport mineur (Saint-Quentin)
Codiac Soccer
Fredricton District Soccer Association
Fundy Soccer Association
Soccer New Brunswick
NOVA SCOTIA / NOUVELLE-ÉCOSSE
Barrington Area Soccer Association
Halifax City Soccer Club
Halifax County United
Halifax Dunbrack Soccer Club
Storm Soccer Club
Suburban Football Club
United DFC
Valley United Soccer Club
Whitney Pier Soccer Club
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND / ÎLE DU PRINCE ÉDOUARD
PEI Soccer
Winsloe Charlottetown Royals FC
NEWFOUNDLAND & TERRITORIES / TERRE-NEUVE ET TERRITOIRES
CBS Soccer Association
Marystown Minor Soccer Association