Whitecap players hope to impact Indigenous youth with Hope and Health event

Davies and other members of the Whitecaps organization were participating in the annual Hope and Health event, a soccer-based movement that engages Indigenous youth and children to improve long-term health and life outcomes.

More than 250 children ranging in age from five to 18 — some currently living in foster care — representing 30 different B.C. bands gathered at Musqueam Park in southwest Vancouver for skills, drills and games. Lunch was served and music played.

“The whole concept, the motivation is real simple,” said Bill Yoachim, executive director of Kw’umut Lelum Family and Child Services Agency and one of the Hope and Health co-founders.

“Bring in the beautiful game, bring these kids together, get something out of it, get the tools of life. Unfortunately, some of these kids, their communities have had lots of trauma through no fault of their own. We want to change the mindset and the cycle of it. It’s one day and its hope and it’s health.”

Being part of the camp was special for Davies, 17, considered one of the best young soccer talents Canada has produced in years.

His family fled Liberia to avoid a civil war and Davies was born in a refugee camp in Ghana. He moved to Canada with his parents when he was five and grew up in Edmonton.

Davies remembers attending a soccer camp with players from FC Edmonton.

“At the time I was a little kid, wanting to be where they were,” he said. “It was a big eye-opener.”

Deanna Gill-Georgica, another of the Hope and Healthy co-founders, said one of the most important aspects of the day is the “up-close-and-personal experience” between the youth and Whitecap players.

“The kids experience a professional player as a human being, hearing some of their stories and being inspired (knowing) these players have had paths of their own life,” said Gill-Georgica, whose husband Ed Georgica is the Whitecaps equipment and facilities head manager. “They’ve had to work hard and also overcome their own adversity to achieve their greatness.

“That allows the player to be much more human to the kids.”

This is the seventh year the Whitecaps have hosted Hope and Health. Six of the events have been held in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island and three in Vancouver.

Some kids return each year. Others have grown up and now volunteer.

The event also allows adults from different First Nation communities to interact.

“It’s a way to come together that is hopeful and joyful and fun activities, versus coming together over tragedy and despair which is far too often for Indigenous communities,” said Gill-Georgica.

Whitecaps midfielder Russell Teibert views Hope and Health as a way of giving back to the community.

“You talk about reconciliation on a government level and you see all those monetary values and numbers being thrown around,” said the Niagara Falls, Ont., native. “This is not about money. This is about face-to-face contact and conversation and bonding and relationships.

“That’s what makes this camp very special. You are able to be immersed in a culture and community that really takes you in and makes you feel like one of their own.”

Musqueam chief Wayne Sparrow said “soccer is huge” in the First Nations community and is one way of having a positive impact on young people.

“We keep them active, keep them off the streets and keep them involved,” he said.

Davies points to himself as an example of how events like Hope and Health can make a difference in someone’s life.

“These are very special kids,” he said. “You have to give them opportunities. You can tell they are having a blast. That’s the main thing as a kind, just have fun, just be a kid.

“The smile on their faces brightens up my day.”

Jim Morris, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Whitecap players hope to impact Indigenous youth with Hope and Health event

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