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For a generation of Canadian soccer fans, a win on the world’s biggest stage felt like a dream, and now, it’s become a reality.
On Thursday, the Canadian men’s team secured its first ever World Cup win after beating Qatar 6-0. In a game which was slightly overshadowed by red cards and an injury sustained by Ismaël Koné, the cheers have caused a ripple effect in Saskatchewan.
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Robert Morrison is the owner of Little Kickers Saskatchewan soccer program. (Robert Morrison/Submitted)
“Growing up playing soccer, we never had those role models. So it’s absolutely inspiring to the youth and to myself to be able to see those role models now on the world stage and performing so well,” said Robert Morrison, owner of Little Kickers Saskatchewan.
Morrison said not only is Canada’s win emotional, but with the tournament being co-hosted in the country, his grassroots program has seen a sharp increase in numbers as the excitement surrounding the beautiful game grows.
“Our first season we had 200 kids playing with us per week … this is now our third summer, and we’re up to over 700 kids playing in our club each week,” he said.
Little Kickers was founded in 2002 by a mother living in London, England, who wanted to find a way of keeping her son active with something he would find enjoyable.
“We are actually the largest franchise in the world for providing youth soccer. My wife and I own seven different franchises around Alberta and Saskatchewan, but around the world we’re in 25 countries. We’re based in the UK, (and have) over 300 franchises with Little Kickers,” Morrison explained.
He said the programs goal is for kids aged one and half to eight to have fun in a structured environment with a focus on building an environment where kids will want to live an active lifestyle.
“Having three little ones now, I’ve seen how incredible it is to have them in sport (and how) important the different skills you learn throughout your life. Our goal (at Little Kickers) is to give kids (a) really positive first experience, so that they stay in sport for the rest of their life,” Morrison said.
With Canada’s World Cup run generating watch parties, community gatherings, and national attention, Morrison believes the effect is extending into cultural engagement with the game, especially in multicultural communities.
“We’re noticing a lot more of the international ones (jerseys) being worn at classes recently … it’s a really fun thing, not only for Canadians, but also for new Canadians that have their roots that are being represented,” Morrison said.
He also points to how visibility of Canadian players on the world stage is changing long-term expectations for young athletes.
“It shows Canadian kids that they have the opportunity to go as far as they want to in the sport,” Morrison said.
“It’s really important to see not only the players but the cultural diversity, the different communities people are coming from. It makes a huge difference in the sport, and for kids that are seeing people that look like them, (and) that are from the places they’re from.”
Morrison believes the current momentum could reshape the entire development system in Canada, potentially reducing the need for young players to leave the country to pursue elite pathways.
“Hopefully, in the future, that’s not the case (and that) we could start to have those developmental systems within Canada,” he said.
Morrison added watching Canadian superstars like Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David play for European giants such as Bayern Munich and Juventus respectively shows the conversation surrounding soccer in Canada has shifted.
“It shows Canadian kids, that they have the opportunity to go as far as they want to in the sport, which I think is really cool, (because they) didn’t exist when I was a kid, so it’s a great opportunity,” he said.
While that sense of opportunity is being felt at the grassroots level, it’s also being echoed inside Saskatchewan’s club system.
Kevin Holness, left, is both a Regina and Saskatchewan Hall of Fame inductee. (Kevin Holness/Submitted)
FC Regina’s technical director Kevin Holness says Canada’s success on the world stage is already resonating with players and coaches.
“It provides a lasting impression for young athletes to pick up the sport … and realize there is a destiny for you to play at the highest level,” he said.
Holness was a Canadian international for nine years, representing both the youth and senior teams. He made 13 appearances (1989-1997) across the FIFA U-16 tournament, FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF).
Holness said he hopes the impact of World Cup and its presence in North America will continue to gain interest in the sport among young Canadians.
“We hope that it provides a lasting impression for young athletes to pick up a sport and stay in the sport, and realize that, hey, being from Canada, there is a destiny and there is an opportunity for you to play at the highest level in the world and achieve your dreams, if that’s what you want to do in soccer,” he said.
“Hopefully it grows to be something that becomes a regularity in our culture, where a lot more kids are taking soccer serious and trying to strive to play at a higher level.”
FC Regina’s technical director Kevin Holness (16) is a former Canadian international, making 13 appearances for the national team at both youth and senior levels from 1987-1997. He says he hopes the impact of World Cup will continue to provide a lasting impression for young athletes. (Kevin Holness/Submitted)
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