“Surad Soccer not only helps children develop their athletic abilities, but also their life skills. Through participation in the club’s programs, children learn important values such as teamwork, respect, and perseverance.” – Hamze Mohamoud, Surad Soccer Volunteer Coach
The Surad Youth Soccer Club (SYSC) has been nominated as our August Community Sport Hero! They have been a part of the community since 2012, when a small group of parent volunteers came together to create a new youth soccer opportunity for the Ottawa Somali community. Surad Soccer has grown to include recreational, developmental, and competitive soccer teams ranging from U6 to U17.
The club’s environment is one that puts positive sport experiences ahead of competition. Surad Soccer describes its environment as safe, fun, fair, and full of positive challenges both for the participants and the coaches. The club strives to help every athlete reach their potential, whether that be recreational play or competitive leagues.
The Surad Youth Soccer Club uses their soccer programming for more than technical skills and athletic ability, but to build community and transferable life skills. SYSC believes in the power of sport to build healthy communities. Core values such as teamwork, respect, and perseverance are among the top priorities for Surad Soccer.
For members of the Surad Youth Soccer Club, the programming runs all year long! SYSC offers both indoor and outdoor soccer programs, as well as an annual tournament called the Kayse Cup – a memorial event for a former coach with SYSC. This event is a testament to the sense of community that Surad Soccer has created for its members.
Not only are participants gaining valuable skills, but the coaches have also shared the same sentiment. Volunteer coaches feel that SYSC has given them the opportunity to continue to participate in sport, to build leadership skills, and to give back to their community.
“I have had the opportunity to give back to the community and help the youth have access to competitive soccer, which has been rewarding. Surad Soccer has also exposed me to diversity, allowed me to develop leadership skills, created a sense of community, and inspired me to continue my involvement in the sport community in Ottawa,” said Hamze Mohamoud, a Surad Soccer volunteer coach.
Did you know that 65% of lifelong volunteers had their first volunteer experience through sport and recreation (True Sport Report 2022)? When organizations, like Surad Soccer, provide meaningful volunteer opportunities, this can create lifelong volunteers throughout our communities. We know that community sport relies heavily on the work of volunteers, but it goes beyond the field of play, to encourage more volunteerism is our community.
Surad Soccer also seeks to eliminate financial barriers to participation in soccer for the Ottawa Somali community. SYSC provides youth access to competitive soccer, that they may not have otherwise had, and to develop their athletic abilities in a structured and competitive environment. To do so, Surad Soccer has leveraged the power of partnerships among community organizations. They have not only worked with local sponsors, but have also worked with Ottawa Fustal to provide more opportunities for participation.
Based on the 2022 State of Sport Report from Canadian Tire Jumpstart, it is reported that 43% of community sport organizations say that costs to parents have increased following the pandemic. In the same report, 75% of sport organizations say the costs of running sport programs has spiked. Overall, costs have risen for those involved in community sport. Meanwhile, Surad Soccer is working collaboratively in the community to reduce the financial barriers to participation.
The Surad Youth Soccer Club offers inclusive sport programming that strives to create positive experiences for the Ottawa Somali community. We look forward to watching SYSC grow in our community in 2023 season and beyond.
To learn more about Surad Youth Soccer Club, visit their website or check them out on social media.