Taking Indigenous Youth Soccer Development and Dreams to the Next Level with the “Tla’amin Strong” Mini-Pitch Initiative
““Tla’amin Nation has a legendary history of success on the soccer pitch and soccer is an important part of our Tla’amin identity. The Mini-Pitch adds vital year-round all-weather infrastructure so that our kids can carry on what our ancestors started.”
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VANCOUVER, BC – Hope and Health, in partnership with Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Scotiabank continues to take soccer for social impact to the next level with the activation of the “Tla’amin Strong” Mini-Pitch. Tla’amin Nation is a Coast Salish tribe inhabiting the Pacific Northwest Coast, just north of the city of Powell River in British Columbia.
Hope and Health is best known for their Hope and Health at Home “H3” community-based programming delivered in partnership with Indigenous communities, along with their popular annual community camps delivered in partnership with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, bringing together 300+ Indigenous children and youth for a fun filled day of a blend of soccer skills and drills and cultural activities- with 2023 will being their 10 year Community Camp anniversary (due to the global pandemic).
It was a similar community camp and new relationship with Tla’amin Nation last summer that was the catalyst to make this Mini-Pitch possible. “It was such a joy bringing the Hope and Health dream team to visit Tla’amin to kick-start the revitalization of soccer for their community through the Tla’amin Nation 1st Annual Hope and Health Community camp,” said Deana Gill, CEO of Hope and Health, “We were so inspired by the community- their vision, the talented youth soccer players, the beautiful new youth center and space dedicated to sport, recreation and wellness...we asked how may we support? How about a Mini-Pitch?! And here we are less than a year making this magic happen together- thanks to our amazing partners”.
The Tla’amin Mini-Pitch is breaking ground this week for site preparation and the opening ceremony will take place this summer, along with the 2nd Annual Tla’amin Hope and Health Community Camp. Stay tuned for the dates to be confirmed.
By 2026, the “Be the Change” Mini-Pitch Initiative will see 13 mini pitches across communities providing 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 has enhanced 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 and we will also support the start-up of the Hope and Health “5V5 Champions” league. This league will assist to accelerate Indigenous athlete development and be a recruitment pool for all soccer partners (academies and university levels). The pitches are being built in partnership with Musco Mini-Pitch System™ modular sports solution, with the site prep supported by Binnie and Knox Contracting.
About Hope and Health
The Hope and Health movement utilizes the beautiful game of soccer and mentorship to inspire hope, as well as improve the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health and life conditions for Indigenous children and youth. Our team is committed to come together as one heart, one mind to maximize sport as a tool for reconciliACTION and social impact in relation to the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls To Action, specific to Sports and Reconciliation (87-91) and beyond given the holistic benefits. Our vision is for Indigenous children and youth to carry themselves with pride and confidence, achieve their highest potential and dream big. Learn more here: https://www.hopeandhealth.org
For partnership interest and media enquiries please contact:
Deana Gill
Co-founder and CEO of Hope and Health
604-388-4673