World Cup inspires new waves of soccer players in northern Ontario

World Cup fever has ignited a surge of soccer interest across Sudbury, uniting a diverse community through the sport. AmandaHicks reports.

As the World Cup heads into its final days, the excitement is being felt across northeastern Ontario.

In Greater Sudbury, local sports organizations are reporting a surge in interest.

Chris Anselmo, treasurer, referee and coach with the Sudbury Regional Competitive Soccer League said major global tournaments often inspire a brand-new wave of energy right into local clubs.

“You see the spike – the youth come in,” said Anselmo.

“They bring new fans to the game. Older players and retirees come back to coach, referee, or even get back onto the pitch in our older divisions and you see everybody wearing their different jerseys, supporting their communities.”

Recently in Sault Ste. Marie for its Coppa Giovanni, Anselmo said he noticed an increase in participants.

“We’ve seen at 25 youth teams out there and last year, I think, they had half that,” he said.

“There was also, multiple men’s divisions available, multiple women’s divisions.”

“We’re doing that here as well,” add Anselmo.

In celebration of the World Cup, the organization offered a free session in June for children aged four to eight, where admission was a non-perishable food item.

“We want to share the game with everybody, get the community involved,” Anselmo said.

“It’s free – all the coaches are volunteering their time.”

The league has been around since 1907. Coming off its centennial celebration last year, Anselmo said there’s been a lot of positive changes.

“We’ve had men’s teams. Currently our men’s division is open, so we have players as young as 16 all the way up until their 60s,” he said.

“We also offer the over 40 and the over 50 divisions. We’ve had a brand-new team to league, the Arabian Knights, so that was huge.”

‘A universal language’: How soccer unites Sudbury’s diverse community

For players like David Dhakal, who immigrated to Sudbury from Nepal in 2022, the beautiful game functions as a universal language.

“It brings all the people of different backgrounds and personalities together,” Dhakal told CTV News.

“On the ground, you are all one team and you play like a team. I think it just brings people together, and that’s what I love about soccer.”

Nathan Tshisuaka, another player in the league who’s been playing soccer since he was a child, said the World Cup has sparked more enthusiasm from his teammates.

“Definitely a bit more inspired, for sure,” he said.

“When we see a lot of the performances, especially those of us from other nations. My parents are from Congo, so seeing the Congolese goalkeepers give performances like they’ve been doing. These guys, a lot of them are Latino or Colombian, so seeing how Colombia has been doing in the World Cup has been pretty inspiring to them.”

Cyclones coach says World Cup fever is sweeping the north

On the semi-professional stage, the Sudbury Cyclones said they are seeing the cultural shift firsthand.

“I think the engagement and the whole idea of World Cup fever has really taken over,” said the men’s head coach Giuseppe Politi.

“That’s what everybody’s talking about. Whether you’re on the field, talking with friends or in the workplace. You know, World Cup fever certainly set in,” he said

Politi said the passion has swept through both youth camps and older competitive structures.

“We’re down to the final two (teams for the World Cup) now, so there’ve been a couple of broken hearts even on the Cyclones team,” he said.

“Here in Sudbury, being involved in the community at the Greater Sudbury Soccer Club, I see a lot of kids engaged with the World Cup and I’m always asking them about it. That means they’re watching it.”

Politi said the scene is similar in North Bay.

“I ran a camp there (North Bay) this week and the youth are completely engaged,” he said.

With Canada co-hosting matches on home turf, Politi said he believes it is a stepping stone for the sport nationally.

Another free clinic coming to Sudbury

The Sudbury Regional Competitive Soccer League is preparing to host its next free session on Aug. 23 from noon to 4 p.m. at the James Jerome Sports Complex – this time for ages nine to 13.

Participants are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the Sudbury Food Bank.