Canada Soccer and its Board of Directors announced today its intention to launch a new internal philanthropic fund aimed to raise funds primarily focusing on grassroots, youth development initiatives and programming for marginalized and underrepresented groups. The new Canada Soccer Legacy Fund leadership group, and its lead donors, will be named in the coming weeks.

“This new fund will give individual Canadians, and the corporate community, more opportunities to make a real impact beyond the pitch,” said Charmaine Crooks, Canada Soccer President. “This is about engaging Canadians and bringing together communities as we build up our next generation of soccer heroes.”

The Canada Soccer Legacy Fund will play an important role in bringing the game of soccer to more Canadians by supporting the player pathway, grassroots and development programming such as:

• Removing barriers to entry through programming for underrepresented and marginalized groups;
• Supporting our girls and boys National Youth Team programs; and,
• Enhancing opportunities for coaches, referees, and emerging leaders, who all play an important role in the delivery of our sport.

“I know that as day-to-day leaders in our soccer communities, today’s announcement will have immediate impact and will bring much needed support to the work we do at the grassroots level,” added Gayle Statton, BC Soccer President and Chair of the Members Council. “We are thrilled to  be a part of this initiative, uniting provinces, territories and our entire membership as we collectively work to build for the future.”

The fund’s mission will be to work directly to remove barriers to access and will have a mandate to grow the diversity and equity of the game at the community and grassroots levels. The leadership group will also focus its outreach efforts to all segments of the Canadian public — corporate, private and individuals in diverse communities across Canada.

“As a former National Team player, I know how critical it is to have adequate support at all levels of the player pathway and this has the potential to be a game-changer,” added Jason deVos, interim General Secretary, Canada Soccer.

The new Canada Soccer Legacy Fund will be the place where Canadians can help build the next generation of national soccer heroes. As the official charitable arm of Canada Soccer, the fund will unite, engage and inspire Canadians as we continue to build a legacy for future generations to come.