Hope and Health to Expand Indigenous Youth Sport for Development and Dreams With “Sts’ailes Strong” Multi-Sport Mini-Pitch
The visual concept illustrates the Mini-Pitch System TM engineered by Musco is a versatile facility featuring fencing, goals, accessible gates, benches, lockable storage, and lighting equipped with Musco’s state-of-the-art LED technology. Initially designed for soccer, the pitch is adaptable for other sports, including ball hockey as with this newest design working in collaboration with Hope and Health.
“I feel that this Mini-Pitch will be great for our community, especially our youth. As all of us know, our youth and community love soccer and with this Mini-Pitch it is another place for our community to play the sport we love. And a place for the youth to go to have fun with family and friends. I think this project will bring the community together.
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VANCOUVER, BC – Hope and Health, in partnership with the Sts’ailes community, Musco Lighting, Scotiabank, and Heart of America, is elevating sport for social impact with the launch of the “Sts’ailes Strong” Multi-Sport Mini-Pitch. Vancouver Whitecaps FC are also partners on the project, which expands the opportunities for Sts’ailes children and youth to play soccer in their community.
The Sts’ailes, also known as Chehalis, are an Indigenous people from the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia who have collaborated with Hope and Health on youth sport development initiatives for several years.
#15 Terry Felix (right) in action with the Whitecaps in 1983. Felix is the first and only Indigenous professional soccer player in Canada (from Sts’ailes). Photo Credit: Terry Felix
“It is incredibly exciting for our children to have access to a mini soccer pitch. Soccer has always been the premier sport in Sts’ailes,” said Terry Felix, a Sts’ailes member and former soccer player for Vancouver Whitecaps and Team Canada. “Growing up, we lacked our own soccer field, soccer boots, or soccer balls. I played my first soccer game at age 12 and never had the opportunity to play in the youth league. Now, our children have all these resources and the chance to play on one of the finest soccer pitches available. This will boost their confidence and it will be wonderful to see their joy for years to come.”
Hope and Health is known for leveraging sport for development, notably through its Hope and Health at Home “H3” community-based programs delivered in partnership with Indigenous communities, as well as its popular annual community camps held at BC Place and other locations across the province.
“Our partnership with Sts’ailes has grown since we introduced Hope and Health to the mainland – through our annual community camps and the high-performance program delivered in Musqueam. Witnessing the talent and passion of Sts’ailes athletes has been a joy, and we are thrilled to further support the community with the Mini-Pitch,” said Deana Gill, CEO of Hope and Health. “The community's vision for the future and its sports history are inspirational. Honouring Terry Felix by incorporating his Vancouver Whitecaps number on the archway and featuring a poster inside the Mini-Pitch serves as a significant motivator for the youth to dream big.”
The mini-pitch’s striking endline banners and archways will be placed on both ends. It will include empowering messages "Sts’ailes Strong", "Every Child Matters", and "Be the Change".
(Above) The posters inside the Mini-Pitch honour the seven sacred teachings and include a dedication to Terry Felix with his traditional name and player number from when he played with the Vancouver Whitecaps.
(Left) Vancouver Whitecaps logo and #15 is also added along the archway banners into the Mini-Pitch.
“Recognizing the significance of hockey among Sts’ailes multi-sport athletes, we found it timely to expand the pitch's versatility to accommodate ball hockey,” said Ed Georgica, Director of Community Projects & Relations for Hope and Health and a former professional athlete with the Vancouver Whitecaps, Vancouver Canucks (Ottawa Senators), and BC Lions. “Our preliminary discussions with Musco aimed to meet the youth and community's needs. We express our deep appreciation to Musco for championing youth sports and community investment in this innovative design. We are proud to bring this world-first design to life in partnership with Musco, Sts’ailes, and all our partners.”
Cowichan Tribes and Malahat Nation, vibrant communities on Vancouver Island, will also receive Mini-Pitches in 2024, eagerly anticipating the launch of the new multi-sport version pioneered with Sts’ailes. Kw’umut Lelum is a programming partner with Malahat Nation.
By 2026, the “Be the Change” Mini-Pitch Initiative aims to establish 13 mini pitches across communities, providing innovative, high-quality, and inspiring play environments to engage Indigenous youth of all ages in soccer and other sports. The pitches, created in collaboration with the Musco Mini-Pitch System™, with site preparation and installation supported by Binnie, Cedar Crest, and Knox Contracting, will feature the innovative multi-sport design for all future projects. Graphics created by Identity Graphics out of Cowichan and installed by Joel Wilson (DABHand Installations). All projects feature the Hope and Health logo designed by Maynard Johnny Jr - Coast Salish Artist re-patterned and painted orange as a tribute to residential school survivors.
“We are impressed by Hope and Health's dedication to expanding recreational and sports opportunities for Indigenous youth,” said Eduardo Zamarripa, Director of Youth Sports Market Development for Musco. “The ‘Sts’ailes Strong’ initiative exemplifies how outstanding partners can come together to effect meaningful, positive change for families throughout the region. We are proud to be involved.”
Hope and Health has enhanced its program delivery to incorporate 5V5 specific game techniques, player development, and coaching methodology. The 5V5 format will be fully utilized in H3 program delivery and support the start-up of the Hope and Health “5V5 Champions” league. This league aims to accelerate Indigenous athlete development and serve as a recruitment pool for soccer partners at the academy and university levels.
About Hope and Health
Hope and Health leverages the universal appeal of soccer and mentorship to inspire hope and improve the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of Indigenous children and youth. Committed to unity and the power of sport as a tool for reconciliation and social impact, Hope and Health aligns with the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls To Action, specifically those related to Sports and Reconciliation (87-91) and beyond, given the holistic benefits. The organization envisions Indigenous children and youth carrying themselves with pride and confidence, achieving their highest potential, and dreaming big. Learn more at https://www.hopeandhealth.org.
For partnership interest and media enquiries, please contact:
Hope and Health:
Deana Gill
604-388-4673
Sts’ailes:
Margaret Charlie
604-845-5737