Soccer is the world’s most popular sport with billions of fans across the globe. Due to its international scope, the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council (MJMC) has found it to be one of the best ways to bring newcomers together and help these individuals integrate with the community.
If the weather co-operates, games take place outdoors at Smith Park on South Hill. During the cold winter months, the soccer matches happen indoors at the Yara Centre.
The soccer games organized by the MJMC take place once a month, and the timing depends on several factors including the availability of turf time and what else the organization has planned.
“This is a free activity not just for (our) clients, but (also) for the community. Everybody is welcome to come and play, or just to come and watch the game,” said Gaby Carmona, the community connections co-ordinator at the MJMC.
“It’s a very popular activity. We usually have between 30 to 40, and up to 50 people every time we have this activity,” she said. Players are typically organized into four teams of 10 if numbers permit.
Experienced players are spread across the teams to provide a sense of balance. This helps ensure everybody enjoys the game and can participate.
To join, players must be age 14 or older. Minors under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult if they wish to participate. “But if you’re just coming to watch, you’re welcome to (regardless of age),” Carmona added.
The age limit is an internal rule imposed by the MJMC. “If the kids want to come, an adult has to come and be responsible for them. (This is) because there’s so many people attending… we will need to have somebody at the side to look after the little ones. I don’t think we have the capacity (for this) at the moment,” explained Carmona.
The matches are organized as a friendly exhibition and there’s no tournament or competitive atmosphere, but the matches do follow the rules of the game.
“This program is a community connection program. One of the main purposes is to connect the newcomers with the community,” Carmona explained, noting that the effort includes art workshops and a variety of cultural activities.
“It’s just pretty much to meet other people in the community and just socialize. It’s a very friendly, informal game.
“We see… a great attendance (and) everyone likes to come pretty much from all over. (We have) people from the Middle East, Africa, China, and they all love soccer,” Carmona said. “Even though they don’t (always) speak the same language, they come together as a team and they play a great game.”
Anyone looking to participate is welcome to show up at Smith Field during the summer months or at the Yara Centre during the winter. Registered members of the MJMC are invited to call ahead as the organization will provide transportation as part of the membership program.
As the soccer games are organized when the time and resources are available, the best way to stay informed is to check the MJMC’s Facebook page, ‘Moose Jaw Multicultural Council,’ or its Instagram page. You can also call 306-693-4677 and ask for Gabby Carmona.
The next match is on Sunday, Dec. 10 from 4 – 6 p.m. To provide a break from the cold weather, this and all upcoming games will take place at the Yara Centre, located at 1220 High Street West.
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