Soccer league for inner-city youth to help kick crime

Councillor says city’s program doesn’t meet needs of all kids

Youth from inner-city neighbourhoods such as Elmwood will have the chance to play in a free soccer league this summer, the first activity planned as part of a new initiative by the city to combat youth crime.

“It’s needed greatly in our area. It gets them out,” says Deborah Baron, a board member of Chalmers Community Centre.

“You just see (kids) hanging out in the street. Lots of kids don’t go anywhere, and summer is the peak time for kids with nothing to do.”

While Coun. Lillian Thomas (Elmwood) says the program is a good idea for kids who play soccer, it doesn’t meet the needs of kids who are interested in other activities, such as chess, movie nights or dances.

“I think it could be valuable for some kids, sometimes, but it doesn’t meet the vast needs of kids in the area,” says Thomas.

“I think any good programming has to meet the needs of all residents in the area.”

The Sports Programs in Inner-City Neighbourhoods (SPIN), which was announced last week by Mayor Sam Katz, is an initiative of the LiveSAFE crime prevention policy. It was developed by the City of Winnipeg’s community services department and the Winnipeg Police Service.

Less fortunate children between the ages of six and 14 are invited to play on one of 40 soccer teams through July and August, with the city covering all expenses.

“This initiative will address some of the barriers that inner-city children have to participate in sport programming by alleviating the transportation, financial, equipment, leadership and volunteer components,” Katz said.

“Community centres will be partnering with this. This has been a need for a long, long time,” says Marlene Amell, executive director of the General Council of Winnipeg Community Centres, one of SPIN’s partners.

“It’s an extremely good way for kids to recognize that the community centres are there for them.”

Amell says other sports will be introduced into the program in the future.

The city and province will both be spending money on youth recreation programs to help keep kids off the streets and out of jails.

The province will spend $500,000 over the next year to hire seven recreation directors for Winnipeg’s core neighbourhoods, with the city spending less than $15,000, thanks to sponsorship and contributions from different community groups.

During the 2006 election, Katz first spoke about expanding sport programs for youth in inner-city neighbourhoods.

However, he dealt with criticism a year later when the city decided to close Kelvin Community Centre.

To donate to the SPIN initiative, call 986-5363 or e-mail SPIN@winnipeg.ca. Volunteers are also welcome.