From backyard to professional pitch: Workshop gives opportunity to young aspiring players
Kids who have never played league soccer but have been eager to step on a professional turf are getting their first opportunity to shine.
Thanks to a microgrant from Soccer Canada, the Windsor Soccer Club hosted a Free Kicks Day at the Novelletto Rosati Complex on Saturday.
The event aims to introduce newcomers to Canada to local leagues while offering kids aged seven to 18 an opportunity to dive into the world of soccer.
Eleven-year-old Samir Khankharoti said, prior to Saturday's camp, he had only played soccer at school and with a few friends outside on weekends.
"I love it," he said.
For most young fans of the sport, it's common for them to only play soccer with friends at recess or at home alone in the backyard, according to Victoria Rose, a board member with the Windsor Soccer Club.
"Most of the children who are out here today and have never actually played in an organized sport before. They go out after school and play for hours until it gets dark. We know this happens in a lot of our neighborhoods," said Rose.
"So today lets them know there are leagues in the area. If they want to get into the organized sport, we're here to welcome them."
Individuals who dropped in for Free Kicks Day were treated to a skills training session with the Windsor Soccer Club's technical director and were able to able to participate in an indoor game on a professional turf.
"For the people that came out today, it's great to see them on the field," said Rose.
Another one of those individuals was Attal Waqar, 11, who has dreams of becoming a soccer player when he is older.
"I was so excited when I came here,” said Waqar. “It feels so cool to play here.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Hackers release corporate data stolen from London Drugs
Retailer London Drugs says cybercriminals who stole files from its corporate head office last month have released some of the data after it refused to pay a ransom.
Toronto man falls off his chair after seeing $70M Lotto Max win in his bank account
A Toronto man who won $70 million in a recent Lotto Max draw literally fell off his chair when he saw the funds in his bank account.
Montreal-area high school students protest 'sexist' dress code
Approximately 50 Montreal-area students — the vast majority of them female — were suspended Wednesday after their school deemed the shorts they were wearing were too short. On Thursday, several students staged a walk-out to protest what they believe is a "sexist" dress code that unfairly targets girls.
McDavid scores in 2OT to lift Oilers over Stars in West Final opener
Connor McDavid tipped Evan Bouchard's shot from the boards past Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger 32 seconds into the second overtime to give the Edmonton Oilers a 3-2 win in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final..
'Looking over our shoulders': A killing looms large in a little B.C. town
Something shifted in the pretty little village of Lumby, B.C., after Tatjana Stefanski vanished. It used to be the sort of place where parents let their kids roam free or play in the local creek, but everything has changed.
What is 'slapped cheek disease' and should parents be concerned?
Despite its rough name, experts say most cases of 'slapped cheek disease' are mild and not a cause for concern.
American Airlines retreats after blaming a 9-year-old for not seeing a hidden camera in a lavatory
American Airlines has distanced itself from a court filing in which the carrier said a nine-year-old girl should have noticed there was a camera taped to the seat of an airplane lavatory.
Unknown Newfoundland soldier from the First World War heads back home from France after 100 years
Canadian soldiers and government officials arrived in northeastern France this week for a historic mission: returning an unknown Newfoundland soldier back home.
Calgary Philharmonic takes action following investigation into 'deeply troubling' comments by 2 musicians
The Calgary Philharmonic has confirmed its taking action after controversial online comments made by two members of the orchestra.