Media Coverage
Soggy soccer fun; Wet weather didn't keep kids from Kiwanis Diversity Cup
Calgary Sun
Sun Jun 11 2017
Page: A10
Section: News
Byline: Annajunker
Source: Calgary Sun
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Despite the pouring rain, hundreds of kids showed up Saturday to the annual children's Kiwanis Diversity Cup, which is celebrating fifteen years of soccer this weekend.
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The event, organized in partnership with the Calgary Police Service Diversity Resource Team and KidSport, gives kids who don't normally have the opportunity to play organized sport the chance to experience it.
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The tournament usually sees over 800 children over the weekend come out and show off their soccer skills.
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Despite the rain and cold, Saturday saw around 34 teams made up of approximately 15 kids playing.
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"It's very surprising to see how many teams did stick around, it's a big surprise. It's nice and it just shows how much these kids look forward to this all year," said organizer Sim Lakhyan. "They're excited to play, a little cold, but that just means they're even more eager to go on the field."
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Through the tournament, kids are able to learn important life skills such as the value of teamwork, communication and leadership.
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"Sport is such a unifying thing and events like this are a great way for people in the community to connect with their neighbours," said Const. Kelly Morgan, with the Diversity Resource Unit. "It is also nice for us to have a full weekend to interact with the kids and families in a way that shows them police officers are just normal people who enjoy the same activities they do."
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With the support of KidsSport, children who do not have their own soccer equipment can take home the gear they used during the tournament to keep practicing their skills.
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This year, Foothills Soccer Club has a player from its professional development league team available to work with kids to sharpen their skills. Players from the club along with the United Women Soccer League have been visiting schools to teach kids about the game.
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Sunday's tournament will see sunnier weather and kids can get their soccer on from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Forest Lawn Athletic Park.
Kids kicking it for 15 years at Kiwanis Diversity Cup
By: Aaron Chatha Metro Published on Sun Jun 11 2017
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The Kiwanis Diversity Cup is celebrating 15 years of black, blue and hope.
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The annual children’s soccer tournament, in partnership with Kiwanis Calgary, Kidsport and the Calgary Police Service Diversity Resource Team, brings out 800 kids to play in a two-day tournament every year.
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This year it ran over the weekend at Forest Lawn Athletic Park. Dedicated players even braved Saturday’s harsh rains, with only a few game cancellations.
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The goal of the tournament is to teach kids important life skills. Many of the youth do not ordinarily have an opportunity to play organized sports and the tournament gives many of them their first experience playing in a large-scale tournament with referees, good equipment and a proper field.
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“Some of these kids have never been on a team before, never played organized sports,” said tournament co-ordinator Sim Lakhyan. “This is the first time they’ve been able to be in this type of environment.”
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Lakhyan explained that the tournament hinges on three values: leadership, respect and teamwork. The teams that exemplify those values are awarded special banners.
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“We’re hoping they learn these three skills and they can take that with them through life. To give them a good foundation,” Lakhyan said.
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After the tournament, the kids get to take home the gear they used over the weekend, so they can keep practising their skills at home. That includes shin guards, jerseys and soccer balls.
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“Sport is such a unifying thing and events like this are a great way for people in the community to connect with their neighbours,” said Const. Kelly Mergen, with the Calgary Police Service Diversity Resource Unit. “It’s also nice for us to have a full weekend to interact with the kids and families in a way that shows them police officers are just normal people who enjoy the same activities as they do.”
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This year members of the United Women Soccer league also visited schools to teach kids about soccer, and the importance of an education.