Soccer games are bringing international students and unhoused people together in Courtenay.
North Island College says some of their students play these games with unhoused people in the Lewis Centre as a way to promote outreach and social inclusion, with the matches happening regularly.
Toya Mitsuoka, who studies tourism and hospitality, says the games are fun.
“The people, they’re so nice to me. It doesn’t matter about winning or losing,” said Mitsuoka.
For Banheti Zuffo, another international student, the games feel good.
“Each person’s like a character,” said Zuffo.
The college says this comes as part of a program through the Canadian Street Soccer Association, an organization aiming to use sports as a positive tool for those struggling with homelessness, addiction, mental health issues, and social exclusion.
Along with social inclusion, the program helps get unhoused players ready to take part in the Homeless World Cup, a tournament meant to influence attitudes about homelessness to several people around the world.
The college aims to have the program run outdoor matches on Wednesdays at the Centre starting at 4:00 p.m., with hopes of getting enough players to take part in the tournament.
