On a Sunday morning at Walnut Grove Community Park in Langley, a group of young boys in soccer uniforms gathered on the field to start their warm-up routine. Abdel Alqadoyr, a 12-year-old boy from Syria, expressed his enthusiasm for playing soccer with his brother and friend, highlighting the sense of nostalgia it brings from his homeland.
Alqadoyr is a member of the Little Soccer Stars Club, a program in the Lower Mainland designed for immigrant and refugee youth. Founded by Afsana Tabibi, a former refugee herself, the initiative aims to create a supportive community for newcomers, drawing on Tabibi’s personal experiences of multiple relocations before settling in Canada.
The program, initially launched in Surrey last summer with 40 participants, has now expanded to Langley in its second year. Tabibi emphasized the importance of using sports, particularly soccer, as a means to unite people from diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie akin to the World Cup.
Research indicates that group activities like sports play a vital role in enhancing well-being and aiding newcomers in adapting to their new environment. Mark Beauchamp, a professor specializing in exercise and health psychology, emphasized the mental health benefits of fostering a shared identity among participants, promoting confidence and social skills development, particularly among youth.
Kabir Hosein from Sport for Life highlighted the significance of creating inclusive and engaging environments for newcomers to connect and integrate into their communities. He stressed the importance of understanding the cultural backgrounds and needs of participants in designing such programs.
One parent, Irma Lima, shared her positive experience with the program, noting the accessibility and impact it had on her son, Valentino. She observed positive changes in Valentino’s demeanor and social interactions, echoing the sentiments of many other parents who have seen the positive effects of the Little Soccer Stars Club on their children.
As the current season of the Little Soccer Stars Club draws to a close on August 30, plans are already underway for its return next summer, offering ongoing support and community engagement for immigrant and refugee youth in the Lower Mainland.