Back in June, just before the school year ended, two soccer teams from Mother Teresa Elementary school participated in the Free Footie tournament, held at Rundle Heights School. This was the wind up tournament that is part of a “free” soccer program called Free Footie, which is offered through many inner city or high needs schools for kids in grades 5 and 6. The program began with the dream and the efforts of a reporter from CBC’s Edmonton AM, Tim Adams. Tim started the Free Footie soccer program in 2006, with half a dozen schools, and has expanded it to approximately 30 schools in 2013. The main objective is to give all kids the opportunity to play the game of soccer, and to reach the kids who may not have that opportunity readily available to them.

Having been a soccer coach in McCauley for many years, I am aware of the difficulties some families have in getting their kids enrolled in community soccer. Although there is funding for many sports, and community leagues cover many of the costs, the biggest hurdle is the driving: getting the kids to and from the field for their away games requires a car. If you don’t have a means of transportation, or have only a limited means of transportation, playing on a soccer team can be out of the question. Free Footie Soccer brings the soccer to the kids. The schools are broken into divisions based on location, practices are at their school, and the best part is, all the away games are within walking distance. What a concept!

The program is 100% free to the kids and their families. Participants get a jersey, socks, shin pads, and shorts. As well, the children and their families were given tickets to one of the FC Edmonton home games in Clarke Stadium. In 2012, Tim Adams raised over $100,000 for the program. Teachers, principals, and school staff volunteered their time after school to coach and the referees were volunteers from the FC Edmonton Soccer Club.

My son played on one of the teams and I got to watch the games fairly regularly. They had a couple of interesting rules, one being that the first goal must be from a girl and after that anyone can score. There was a strong focus on sportsmanship and teamwork, no matter if you were winning or losing. What I witnessed was a lot of kids having fun, and seeing kids learn who started off barely being able to kick the ball.

I always have lots of gratitude to the people who help give kids opportunities and make their lives better. The Free Footie program is not only great for the kids, but good for the community too, and I would like to say thank you to all the teachers, principals, school staff, Tim Adams, and all the sponsorship who make this program available to kids and their families. Also, a big congratulations to the Mother Teresa “B” team, who took the trophy in this years’ Free Footie tournament. Well done to all!