Members of a Downtown Eastside Indigenous soccer team, First Nations BC, are looking ahead to a new year that builds on their recent on-field success.
The First Nations BC team plays in the Goals BC league, with competitive games from March through to August at Andy Livingstone Park. Teams are made up of seven players as opposed to the usual 11-a-side soccer teams, and although they play on a slightly smaller pitch, there’s a lot of running involved.
The driving force of the team is Cameron Webber, who does double duty as manager and captain. He plays defence, although he’s recently been filling in as goalkeeper.
Cameron works in the DTES as part of the Culture Saves Lives outreach team so he’s acutely aware of the importance of a sporting outlet in the area.
“We play to keep our physical and mental health up,” he said. “The majority of us work in the community. We work stressful jobs, and playing together is a great way to relieve stress.
“We can be very competitive, but not aggressive. We get to be social and support each other’s mental health and work together as a unit.”
One aspect of this is ensuring no-one blames themselves for on-field errors: “We win as a team, we lose as a team. It’s not about fault or blame.”
There have been more victories of late, with First Nations BC coming through the most recent six-week season with five wins and one loss.
The summer season was made possible by a PHS grant, courtesy of funders B2Gold Corp., which covered the costs of league membership, a first aid kit and water.
Their subsequent on-field success landed them promotion from Division Two, so after the winter break First Nations BC will be playing against a higher standard of competition in Division One.
Proof of this momentum is that the number of people wanting to play for the team is growing. There are currently 32 players looking to get selected, but the league allows a 14-player maximum roster.
One possibility is also fielding a second team next season.
Formed in spring 2024, everything suddenly clicked for First Nations BC during a competitive match partway through the season when the players realized they had gelled into a formidable team.
“We suddenly realized that we could make it work,” said Cameron. “Other players in the league ask if we’ve been playing together for years, but it’s only really been a few months.
“After the game opponents tell us that if the team stays together we’ll go far.”
There are three ‘seasons’ in each calendar year. Each is essentially a block of weekly soccer matches lasting from six to 10 weeks, depending on availability of local pitches. Every season ends with a play-off, a round-robin knockout tournament.
Although a men’s team, First Nations BC participated in a co-ed tournament in late summer.
“There are a lot of women in the community interested in soccer,” he said. “For the tournament, I invited a 16-year-old to join us, a real high-level player.
“Someone noticed her at the tournament and invited her to join a women’s team, playing 11-a-side. I was delighted for her.”
All players in the Goals BC league play competitive soccer, but after the final whistle has sounded all the players support each other as a community – it’s why the league was formed. Goals BC proudly state their aim is to bring people together from different backgrounds, “sharing the good times as a community, and emphasizing a healthy level of competitiveness.”
Sport provides personal benefits, including physical and mental health, and it also brings people together to build community.
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