Montreal soccer program fosters community spirit in underprivileged Saint-Léonard youth

Scores of children and teens in love with "the beautiful game" took to the soccer fields of Montreal's Saint-Léonard borough today to show off their skills — free of charge.

The community group, Nous Faisons Ce Que Nous Pouvons (NSK), organized the games as part of its summer soccer program to help underprivileged youth stay active and positive through sport and steer clear of delinquency.

As of June 10, 160  kids registered between the ages of five and 17 have signed up, in large part due to funding from the federal government, financial services firm Desjardins, and the non-profit organization, Groupe 3737.

The founder and president of NSK, Johnley Pierre, says they're prioritizing Saint-Léonard  because of the high rates of violence impacting youth in the borough.

"There's so much demand from parents who don't have the means to sign up their kids for soccer, but it's also to combat juvenile delinquency, " he said. "We need concrete programs in the community."

Pierre says he has no doubts the soccer program will help cultivate the talent of the future. 

"With sports, you create riches. In five years, there will be a Lionel Messi and a Cristiano Ronaldo."

Sgt. Denis Perrier of the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) watched on as the kids juggled and passed around soccer balls. As an ambassador for NSK, he says he wants to build trust with the community so kids do not fear police officers.

For many single parents — some of whom have several children and work multiple jobs to make ends meet — paying for sports is a major hurdle, he says. 

According to Perrier, offering kids the chance to positively engage with one another, free of charge, is a bargain for society as a whole.

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