In 2020, Adrian Oncel and Oussama Bedoui, partnered to introduce Ignite Soccer, a club dedicated to player development with a culture rooted in diversity. As first-generation immigrants to Canada, Oncel and Bedoui know the far-reaching role sport plays in welcoming newcomers into Canadian society.  

In June, with the help of Sport Fund- EDI, the pair launched the Newcomers Program to help integrate newcomer athletes and coaches into the Nova Scotia soccer community.  

“We are both long time soccer coaches and volunteers, and being exposed to the day-to-day challenges newcomers are facing when it comes to accessing community sports, we decided to make it a little bit easier for them by starting this program,” said Oncel.   

The program offers children ages six to 18, one hour of soccer training twice a week with experienced Ignite coaches, and apprentice newcomer coaches.   

“The program allows the new coaches to gain experience and confidence in coaching children in Canada and newcomers kids be introduced to organized soccer practice,” says Oncel.  

Ignite Soccer partnered with Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) to connect newcomers with their club. Their Newcomers Program tackles barriers by offering free programming, allowing participants to try the program before investing, and sharing subsidy information with all families to minimize the stigma of asking for assistance.   

During the summer, Ignite Soccer demonstrated the success of the Newcomers Program. Their U13 boys’ team, made up entirely of newcomers won the Nova Scotia Soccer 2022 Summer League, and captured bronze at the Soccer Nova Scotia Provincial Championships.  

Oncel says that Sport Fund- EDI, helped to make this win achievable.  

“75 per cent of the team do not speak English, but dedicated staff and the love for soccer made this possible. The majority of players joined our regular programs and continue to thrive,” says Oncel.   

“This is a great success story and without the grant that would have been more difficult, if not impossible.”  

Sport Fund – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (Sport Fund-EDI) is designed to support para-activities and traditionally underrepresented communities in their efforts to increase participation in community-based sport programming. 

Sport Fund-EDI Population Target Communities: 

• African Nova Scotian Community 
• Indigenous Community 
• Persons with Disabilities 
• Newcomers 
• 2SLBGTQ+ 
• Women & Girls 
• Financially Disadvantaged Nova Scotians 

Click here for funding information.