ANNOUNCING THE “BE THE CHANGE”
MINI-PITCH INITIATIVE

THE BIG IDEA

To engage and accelerate Indigenous soccer player opportunities and development through a province wide Indigenous “5V5 Champions League”, activated by the installation of 5V5 Mini Pitch systems across Indigenous communities and highly populated Indigenous urban areas.

The design of the pitch is inspired by the meaning of the “Every Child Matters” orange shirt, creating an inspiring and safe place to play, in memory of the children gone too soon through the residential school genocide and in honor of the survivors so deeply impacted. The boards are a repatterning of the Hope and Health logo - designed by Coast Salish artist Maynard Johnny Jr.

This project creates the opportunity to bring people together to play, to be empowered, to be encouraged to “be the change” that they desire to co-create new pathways based on mutual respect, love and equity.

12 MORE by 2026

Within the next three years, Hope and Health with various partners commit to install 12 more mini pitches across communities involved in Hope and Health programming. Additional builds to follow or be added in as this Mini-Pitch movement fly-wheels!

These pitches will provide innovative, high quality and inspiring play environments to continue to engage Indigenous youth (and all ages) in the beautiful game and to develop soccer technical skills, along with activating a “5V5 Champions” League across nations.

Hope and Health will enhance our current H3 program delivery to incorporate 5V5 specific game techniques, player development and coaching methodology. The 5V5 will be fully utilized in H3 program delivery which will also support the start-up of the “5V5 Champions” league.

The first community to receive a Mini-Pitch was Penelakut Tribe. This pitch was made possible by a start up donation of long term partner Vancouver Whitecaps FC, a donation from the MLS Players Association and funds raised through the Hope and Health “Tell the Truth. Be the Change.” Orange shirt campaign, featuring Maynard Johnny Jr.’s artwork.