With the world cup just 3 days away with Co-Hosts of USA, Mexico and Canada soccer fans, players are getting excited.
Vancouver is hosting 7 games at BC Place with 2 of those games being Canada games.
A Vancouver local soccer club the Vancouver Athletic FC that has 34,000 people that participate in the league.
The VAFC has youth from ages 2 right up to the adult ages.
Josh Bender the Executive Director for VAFC explains the impacts it has on the players.
I think the biggest impact probably is inspiration when our players see the world’s best athletes coming into our own city it really makes soccer feel alive and accessible really you know we have Canada players we have players from all over the world so we’re already seeing that increased excitement from our families and kids who are motivated to play to play the game. Said, Josh Bender the Executive Director for VAFC
With the World Cup only happening 4 times a year Bender also explains on how to keep the youth inspired all year round.
I mean I think in between the World Cup years you just got to make sure that you are are keeping the kids inspired by withholding our own tournaments by playing in tournaments around the country around the province and just just honestly solid programming out to keep the kids engaged. Said Bender
Bender also said that there is an increase in registration by 25 per cent and often they have to turn the older kids away because they are at capacity.
Josh said that the city dose great by hosting tournaments but he would like the city to build more soccer fields around the city.
