Former Caper Disipio giving back.
Former Capers soccer star Disipio giving back through Capers in the Community initiative
SYDNEY — Ciera Disipio is a familiar name in Atlantic University Sport, recognized for her play on the pitch with Cape Breton University women’s soccer team.
The Capers star midfielder finished her university soccer career last November, but not before winning her third-straight AUS most valuable player award among many other achievements both on and off the field.
The Ottawa product also helped guide the Capers to two national bronze medals as well as a silver medal in 2017, and four AUS titles.
Although her time with the program has concluded, the 22-year-old hasn’t forgot about the community that has supported her over the years.
Disipio is giving back to Cape Breton through the Capers in the Community initiative, a children’s program in partnership with CBU and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality recreation department.
“I see it as repaying the community for what they’ve done for me in the past,” said Disipio. “I always say that I’m almost indebted to Cape Breton for the opportunities and everything it’s given me over my five years in Sydney.”
Capers in the Community is for children ages 5-12 in the municipality. The free program takes place in 12 different communities and is designed to keep kids active while teaching them multisport skills.
Disipio became involved in the program in January as part of the initiative’s winter activities. The program was forced to shut down in midMarch due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After moving back to Ottawa at the end of March, Disipio returned to Cape Breton at the end of June and worked with Capers in the Community during its summer programming in July and August.
“The summer program was really awesome,” said Disipio. “With everything going on, there’s so many limitations and I think in a way kids almost forgot how to be kids.
“To be able to provide a safe and active program that these kids could come, meet children who go to different schools and maybe are from the same area and just remember what it’s like to play and have fun was important.”
More than 1,100 children participated in the summer program. Disipio said some sessions had as many as 20 children while others had as low as three to five, depending on the day.
“We never cancelled any sessions,” she said. “If there was one kid or a full 20 that showed up, it’s more about giving an opportunity to communities that might not have as many opportunities.”
Jonathan Penny, sports department program coordinator for CBRM, said the program has been successful and is important for the municipality.
“Both the university and our department’s goals are the same, trying to provide the community with some free programming by people who are qualified to instruct it,” he said. “It was the second summer for the program and it went very well.”
Penny admitted some communities embraced the program more than others.
“Parents were sometimes concerned about bringing their kids out in groups,” said Penny. “We kept our groups smaller than the requirements and we were extra cautious and had a regimented cleaning schedule.”
Fall programming began last week with a session at Carmen Young Memorial Park in North Sydney and will continue until Saturday in various locations.
Disipio said the experience of being in Cape Breton for the summer and meeting new people through the program is something she won’t forget.
“Living on campus for so long and being in the varsity athlete bubble, I didn’t have or make as many opportunities to meet people that are just from Cape Breton who I wouldn’t cross paths with,” she said.
“This summer was extra special to me. I got to work with a crew from the university and some freshly out of high school, so it was great to connect with them and see a different side of Cape Breton I never saw before.”
For more information about Capers in the Community, visit www.gocapersgo. ca or on Facebook at Capers in the Community.