Third Annual Musqueam and UBC Youth Soccer Tournament Includes First Team from Alberta


Event: Third Annual Musqueam and UBC Youth Soccer Tournament

Date/Time: Opening ceremony: 1 p.m., July 1, 2005
Tournament: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., July 1-3, 2005
Salmon Barbeque: 5-8:30 p.m., July 2, 2005

Location: Todd Soccer Fields (16 th Ave. and Wesbrook Mall)

Parking: Wesbrook Mall South Lot. Enter on Wesbrook, north of the Thunderbird Winter Sports Centre.

Map: www.maps.ubc.ca/PROD/index_detail.php?bldg1ID=N029

The Annual Musqueam and UBC Youth Soccer Tournament has attracted its first participants from outside British Columbia.

Players from the Blood Tribe in Standoff, Alberta will join 32 B.C. teams representing seven First Nations communities, including Cowichan, Tsleil-Waututh, Sechelt, and Squamish First Nations, in the third annual tournament to be held July 1-3 at the UBC Sports Fields.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Aboriginal youth from Alberta to this year’s tournament,” says UBC Community Affairs executive director Sid Katz.

“The tournament is a major component of the ‘Bridge through Sport’ program run in conjunction with our Musqueam partners. The goal is to get First Nations youth interested in pursuing higher education through team-building activities like soccer and other sports.”

“Musqueam is delighted to partner with UBC in hosting this very important event,” says James Easton, Chief Administrative Officer of Musqueam Indian Band. “We see sport as a way to bridge the gaps between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal youth, to build capacity in our community, to promote education, and to advance Musqueam culture.”

The barbeque to be held at Totem Park Residence features Native Youth Rappers and Hip-hop dancers. Free campus tours will be offered as part of the event. UBC staff and faculty will also be on hand to answer questions about pursuing post-secondary education at UBC.

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