The Vancouver Whitecaps FC held a camp on July 27, to introduce the game to children involved with BGC Central Vancouver Island.
The camp was held at the Qualicum Beach Community Park and involved BGCCVI youngsters from Lantzville, Parksville, and Comox.
Manager of community development with the Whitecaps, Ryan Sidhu, said they have been visiting different communities on the Island and running camps.
“The goal is to just introduce soccer to as many kids as possible and give everybody equal access to the sport,” said Sidhu, who added the Whitecaps community program is offered not only in the Lower Mainland but throughout the province.
“It’s giving everybody an opportunity to play. So we try to go to as many regions in the province and we thought Vancouver Island would be a great place to start and do that.”
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Participants aged six to 14 were exposed to a variety of activities that included passing and shooting drills, a mini-World Cup and other fun activities.
One of the participants, Neil James Legge, is thrilled to be learning soccer from the Whitecaps.
“It’s really fun because I really like the Whitecaps,” said Legge. “They’re one of my favourite teams.”
Approximately 400 youngsters from the BGCCVI got the chance to experience the camp, said Sidhu.
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