OA Soccer Camps

August 13-18, 2007, three brothers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo attended a free soccer camp, just weeks after arriving in Canada.

Cultural differences and an inability to communicate in English could not stop them from enjoying a week of practicing soccer skills, making new friends, and having fun with like-minded children from various, very different backgrounds.

Continue reading below to find out more about the inaugural OA Soccer Camp (OASC).

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The Congolese brothers are three of over twenty kids that participated in Opportunitas Aequa’s first free-of-charge soccer camp, at Victoria High School.

OA, with support from the Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group, hosted the 9:00-13:00 camp for approximately sixteen children, each day, aged 6-14.

The inaugural OASC was lead by OA member Chris Newcombe, who devoted countless hours to organizing and planning the 6-day event. In addition to having many other OA members involved, Chris was support by three local, volunteer coaches who made huge contribution throughout the week.

The inaugural OASC was a huge success: Matching the wide smiles of the participants on the camp’s final day, OA Executive Duncan Penn described the camps as ‘absolutely incredible,’ adding that ‘we can do so much more in the future.’

This incredible success was spurred on by the support of many local business:

- Happy Planet Juices donated box upon box of their all-natural juices for the kids and coaches to enjoy, all week.

- Hot House Pizza donated plenty of pizza for the final day of the camp — a morning-long tournament involving all participants and well-attended by parents.

- Merry Maids (Oak Bay) made a donation that allowed OA to purchase a camp t-shirt and a soccer ball for each child.

- All Sports donated t-shirts for all of the coaches and prizes for all of the camp competitions.

- And, Thrifty Foods provided a gift certificate that was put towards buying healthy snacks for the kids, throughout the week.

OA is very grateful for all of the support from our sponsors.

And, OA would also like to thank all of the kids and families that participated in this summer’s camp.