Bridge Through Sport
Soccer Tournament

annually - canada day weekend

The youth soccer tournament is a main component of the "Bridge Through Sport" Program. Every summer, the UBC Office of Community Affairs and the Musqueam Recreation Department work together to organize this tournament with the result of 30-40 all-Aboriginal youth teams in attendance from around British Columbia and Alberta.

Approximately 500 youth aged 4-16 years compete in this event each year, held at the UBC Playing Fields. This serves as an excellent opportunity to create a welcoming and attractive atmosphere at UBC for Aboriginal youth and families. In addition to the tournament, a free salmon barbeque is jointly hosted by the Musqueam and UBC communities to welcome all in attendance for the tournament.

Both the Tournament and Barbeque receive a great deal of support from the broad Musqueam and UBC communities, with staff, students, and enthusiastic community members involved in the planning and running of the tournament.

Soccer Tournament Goals and Objectives

• To use sport as a vehicle to attract Aboriginal youth and families to the University who perhaps would not otherwise be drawn to UBC, and to make the University more accessible, attractive and welcoming to Aboriginal people.

• To support Musqueam Recreation's vision of fostering leadership through sport, placing emphasis on the athletic activity not the result, and creating competition in a spirit of friendly rivalry that encourages youth to focus on being the best they can be.

• To expand the knowledge base of the University, at all levels (e.g. senior management, faculty, staff, students), to the presence of the Musqueam community and to its history. Over 500 Aboriginal youth, ranging in age from 4-16 years, participate in this annual co-ed soccer tournament.

Other Bridge Through Sport Programming

September 2005 – August 2006

"Bridge Through Sport" Reading Club
Musqueam Youth Project - Creative Writing Workshops
UBC Aboriginal Youth Leadership Fair