A little bit of soccer, a bit of learning and a whole lotta fun – that’s what more than 300 kids experienced at the New Westminster Police Department’s 2023 soccer school.
After a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19, about 330 kids attended the July 17 to 21 camp at Queen’s Park Stadium.
“It’s going great,” said NWPD Sgt. Andrew Leaver. “There’s a lot of energy from the kids. It looks like everyone’s having fun, and at the end of the day, that’s the most important thing.”
Amneet Sangha, a Queensborough resident, has been volunteering at the soccer school since 2013. Sangha, who has since started volunteering for other NWPD community programs, said the kids love the week-long camp.
“They go home, and that’s all they talk about. There’s kids here that want the camp to be two months. I don’t know if we’re ready for that but,” she said with a laugh. “But they want it to be two months, for the whole summer. It’s good to hear that.”
At the start of the week, the kids were divided into 26 teams, each having the name of a country that had participated in the last World Cup. As teams, they worked to decorate “their country’s” sign and to develop a cheer – with teams having the winning signs and cheers receiving prizes.
According to Leaver, about 40 New Westminster police officers participate in the event throughout the week, including many who volunteer on their days office. About 10 NWPD civilian staff also support the program in coaching and administrative roles and about 60 community volunteers – many who attended the program in the past – help out as coaches.
“It’s a great way to connect with the community,” Leaver said. “It’s a great way to get kids from all walks of life together to meet and to interact with police officers in a completely positive, neutral and fun setting.”
In addition to learning some soccer skills, kids enjoy a variety of other activities during the week.
Some of the this year’s offerings included a display of emergency vehicles, a petting farm featuring rabbits and silkie chickens, visits and drills with former BC Whitecaps player David Ousted and visits and/or displays from the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of BC, Lower Mainland Police Dog Services, the Royal Westminster Regiment and Honour House. ICBC provided a road-safety station that kids could go through.
“We’re hoping that this is a week of learning, not just a week of fun and soccer,” Leaver said, “which is why we also bring these things in.”
Air 1, the RCMP helicopter, landed on the field – much to the delight of some of the kids.
“I’m sure it was the highlight of the week for some kids. Because once it landed, we all have the opportunity to come take pictures with it, have a look inside, talk with the flight crew, ask some questions,” Leaver said. “So it’s been amazing.”
While there were a couple of misting stations going throughout each day of the camp, the kids really soaked up a visit from New West firefighters on Thursday. A hose, perched on the top of a New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services’ aerial ladder truck, sprayed water on the kids on a hot summer day.
“We’re thankful to the community, the business community for supporting us, and the families that have paid for their kids to come and just supported us by bringing their kids,” Leaver said. “We couldn’t do this without the volunteers that have committed five days to be here.”
