BURSTA new soccer program is coming to Saanich, but it won’t look like anything you’ve seen on the pitch before.
Launching Jan. 22, the Canadian Street Soccer Association (CSSA) will host weekly Sunday night sessions, offering a fast-paced, inclusive version of the game for people experiencing homelessness, poverty, or social isolation.
Saanich is the eighth city in Canada to get a CSSA program, and the third on Vancouver Island, after Courtenay and Port Hardy.
Brandon Green, who manages the Victoria program, said the initiative is about more than just soccer.
“Through soccer, participants are given a safe and welcoming space to express themselves, build confidence, and regain a sense of agency and empowerment,” he said. “It’s about creating community and connection for people who often feel isolated.”
The program will also provide mentorship, leadership development, life skills, and access to broader community support.
“We meet participants where they are, remove financial barriers, create trauma-informed spaces, and foster a culture of respect and encouragement,” Green said.
Free meals and apparel are provided to make the sessions as accessible as possible.
Local partnerships are already helping to strengthen the program.
Green said the CSSA is working with Lakehill Soccer Association, Pacific FC, shelters, refugee and settlement organizations, and other community networks to connect participants with broader resources.
“These partnerships help amplify the program’s impact and ensure participants have access to opportunities beyond the field,” he said.
Players may also have the chance to compete in national and international events, including the CSSA national tournament and the Homeless World Cup.
The World Cup games themselves are smaller and quicker than standard soccer.
Each team has four players on the field at a time, including the goalkeeper, with substitutions on the fly, and matches consist of two seven-minute halves. Green said the format encourages participation from everyone.
“We support players through training, mentorship, and practical help with travel and documentation,” Green said. “These experiences can be life-changing and give people a chance to represent their community.”
Back in Saanich, residents can get involved as volunteers, sponsors, or supporters, and Green hopes the program will expand over time to include a women’s division and deeper community connections.
The first community launch runs from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22 at the Pacific Institute for Sport Education, with participants, volunteers, and supporters welcome.
Following that, weekly sessions will take place on Sunday nights at Braefoot Park from 6-7 p.m.