BY JASON
THOMPSON
After trying to organize soccer clinics for kids living in
low-income housing throughout Greater Sudbury and getting a low
turnout, the Sudbury Canadians Soccer Club finally had enough
kids come out at Adamsdale Park Monday for a decent game.
As the Sudbury Canadians, along with their head coach Frank
Malvaso have quickly learned, transportation is a major hurdle
in the way of getting kids to come out to the clinics.
With clinics held at the James Jerome Sports Complex and at
Lasalle Secondary School, only a couple of kids showed up.
Malvaso and the Canadians think this is because the fields are
just not close enough to where the kids they're trying to reach
out to live. At the Adamsdale clinic, where the housing
projects are adjacent to the park, 16 kids were on the field
ready to play.
"Our experience with these camps have helped raise some very
important questions about what happens to the children who
can't access organized sport venues," said Malvaso. "We are
committed to working with some other fine agencies who are also
trying to reach out these kids."
Malvaso said the idea for the clinics was born when players
with the Sudbury Canadians competitive teams and the Girls
Indoor Soccer League didn't have enough money to cover
registration or equipment fees. While the league and the teams
covered the players' fees, it simply wasn't enough.
"For many of these kids, getting to a soccer field or hockey
rink is another major issue that they face," he said. "With the
help of the True Sport Bell fund and the City of Greater
Sudbury, we decided to reach out to these kids where they
live."
Although dates and times have yet to be confirmed, the
soccer club is planning to hold more clinics and is hoping
transportation will be available for those in need.
Malvaso said the players at the clinic ranged from six to
12-year-olds so the primary focus is to just have fun, rather
than having the kids run endless drills, adding this is the
closest most of the kids have ever come to playing organized
sport.
"Having said this, a few of the kids had remarkable skills for their age considering that they never played organized soccer. They obviously learned on their own, which raises a lot more questions about developing soccer players," he said.
"Maybe organized sports is not the only way to produce elite
athletes. This concept is not new as many nations around the
world do not have organized soccer until the players enter
their teens."
In addition to running the clinics himself, Malvaso has had
about a dozen members of the Sudbury Canadians come out and
volunteer their time to impart their soccer knowledge.
"It's not just clubs and coaches giving back, it's also
about kids helping each other."
For more information, phone 522-7704.
