Tsleil-Waututh Nation kicks off new era for athletes with artificial turf

Tsleil-Waututh Nation's soccer players now will have a chance to build skills and connections on a brand new artificial turf, a project the First Nation in B.C. says is over 40 years in the making.

Tsleil-Waututh Nation officially unveiled its artificial multi-use sports turf to representatives from the province, municipalities across the Lower Mainland, soccer clubs and the community, in a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday. 

Though available for outside bookings, the turf was built to help support the skills and careers of the First Nation’s athletes, and is an avenue to strengthen family bonds, on and off the field.

Dave Thomas, a Tsleil-Waututh Nation community soccer coach, said the sport is the beating heart of the bond between him and his 15-year-old daughter Jasmine.

He said he’s coached her since she was three years old and is excited to see how his nation's new turf will help other families grow a similar legacy.

"This is something that her and I really have shared together since Day 1," said Thomas.

"I hope that this pitch helps form bonds, stronger bonds, between other parents and their children, because some of my people, my age group or generation, didn't grow up playing organized sports."

Jasmine said she agrees soccer is what's connected her most with her father, and the sport fills her heart.

"Our bond is so strong, just purely because of soccer," she said.

Tsleil-Waututh Nation, along with Musqueam and Squamish Nation, signed an memorandum of understanding with the City of Vancouver and the province in 2025 to host FIFA World Cup 26 matches in Vancouver.

Tsleil-Waututh Chief Justin Sky George said it's humbling and exciting to be one of the host nations for the FIFA World Cup.

"FIFA is the global sporting