Five-a-side mini soccer pitch for Tribal School
Youth living on the Tsartlip, Pauquachin, Tseycum and Tsawout reserves, as well as surrounding communities, will soon be able to play five-a-side mini-pitch soccer yearround, thanks to a donation by the Pacific Football Club and Canadian Premier League.
The club, in partnership with the Canadian Premier League’s #WeAreOneCommunity initiative, is donating a five-a-side soccer pitch to the WSÁNEý School Board, to be installed on an old lacrosse field at the
Tribal School, on the reserve near Brentwood Bay, with a completion date of early fall.
“Soccer has played an important role in our communities and this will enhance future opportunities for our youth,” said Curtis Olsen, administrator with the WSÁNEý School Board, who noted that wet field conditions have limited play time in the past. “This will allow us to play year-round.”
In five-a-side football or soccer, teams of five players play in a smaller, specially designed pitch.
The Musco modular mini-pitch system typically includes artificial turf, lighting, fencing, goals, benches, wheelchair access and lockable storage. “The WSÁNEý School Board and the WSÁNEý communities are excited about the donation of the five-a-side soccer pitch and the opportunities that it will open up for our youth,” said Olsen.
As part of the build, the Canadian Premier League and Pacific FC will offer a range of soccer activities and outreach programming to members of the community.
This may be the first mini-pitch, but it won’t be the last as the league looks to grow the game of soccer in Canada.
“We hope this is the first of many pitches we will launch, increasing a lasting opportunity for sport and community for the next generation of Canadian soccer talent,” said David Clanachan, the league’s commissioner.
Founded in 2018, the Pacific Football Club plays out of the 6,000-seat Westhills Stadium in Langford.
• For more information, go to pacificfc.ca.