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Street soccer sidelined as FIFA fever set to hit

The city is about to go crazy over World Cup soccer. But marginalized players in the Vancouver Street Soccer League are mourning the loss of their community.

March 5, 2026

SINCE 2008, the Vancouver Street Soccer League (VSSL) has been running a Sunday morning soccer session at Andy Livingstone Park (five months in spring/summer) and Strathcona Park (seven months in fall/winter). Over the years the program had served around 500 male and female soccer players, and youth (from Covenant House). 

The players came from many backgrounds, but the common element was that they had met significant challenges, including homelessness and substance use, long-term unemployment, poor health and fitness, and missed educational opportunities. 

The VSSL welcomed players of all skill levels, stressing the “soccer community” aspect of the organization, providing a friendly and enjoyable experience, so that the players would want to come back. Volunteers could get to know the players and then help in other aspects of their lives — intervention regarding housing, employment, education, and immigration help for refugees.

The VSSL provided a valuable service to the Downtown Eastside (DTES) and other at-risk communities.

In fact, Megaphone magazine published a cover story on the VSSL in July 2023 (Having a Field Day) that highlighted using the power of sport to “uplift, inspire and empower marginalized members of the community.”

The value of street soccer is well-documented. The VSSL started in 2008 as a collaboration between UBC and First Nations soccer teams in the DTES, addressing mental health issues.

Many players’ lives improved due to participation with the VSSL program. Some had been involved since 2008 and have been able to bring stability to their lives.

Then everything changed

In the fall of 2024, Vancouver Parks and Recreation staff informed the VSSL that they could no longer play at Strathcona Park over the fall/winter months, and that if the VSSL continued to play there Parks might re-evaluate the VSSL spring/summer field booking at Andy Livingstone Park.

Parks could not provide a viable alternative field, so in the face of the ban and the threat to the spring/summer program, the VSSL Sunday practices had to be shut down from Sept. 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

Players were left to their own devices. Some arranged for pick-up soccer games at various locations around the city. These tended to be the more “serious” players, so the games became competitive. The inclusive aspect of the VSSL was lost and the broad support of the organization was diminished. New players could not be recruited to the VSSL. The momentum of the organization began to be lost.

Volunteers and players approached Parks staff for a re-consideration. Their arguments fell on deaf ears. Parks was adamant that in addition to the Strathcona Field, the other 100 grass soccer fields in Vancouver must also be closed from Sept. 1 to March 31.

This was despite the VSSL having played during those months at the Strathcona soccer field since 2012 with no problem. Parks field staff had often observed us over the years and made no comment. When field conditions were unsuitable (waterlogged or icy), we would cancel the soccer practice. Dogs caused more damage to the field — we cleaned up after the dogs and filled the holes they dug! 

We emailed Parks staff on many occasions. They seldom answered. When we did receive replies, the reason given for their decision would change.

Most recently, we were told “the Strathcona Oval is below sea level and therefore water pools on that field which is why that field is closed through fall/winter.”

However, if you check the contour map for the area, you will see that the Oval is well above sea level. 

During COVID lockdowns, the field was completely refurbished with a new aggregate base, improved drainage and new grass sod — an expensive and successful project.

The improved field was a delight to play on. It drained well even after very heavy rain. Water did not pool. Still, Parks insisted it must be closed. We periodically monitored the field condition on Sundays in the fall/winter after rain, and forwarded photographs of the perfect field to Parks.

All of this is puzzling as Parks was well aware of the importance of the VSSL to our at-risk population. So much so, that they had waived our booking fee at Strathcona every year (approximately $2,750 per year). Parks thus helped the VSSL to thrive.

Ban renewed

Our attempt to have Parks change its mind has been unsuccessful and the ban was reintroduced on Sept. 1, 2025. Our correspondence had been copied to the elected Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. The Board did not acknowledge our questions.

After the renewal of the ban last year, we made sure that the Vancouver mayor and council were aware. Only one councillor replied… that the issue was not in his jurisdiction!

We contacted the local media. CTV News prepared and aired an excellent video report, but even this did not gain traction.

The VSSL has been inactive since Sept. 1, 2025. Players have lost touch with the organization, access to funding and volunteer support. 

No street soccer services are currently available in Vancouver. 

Street soccer has been proven to benefit at-risk communities around the world. There is even a Homeless World Cup Foundation (homelessworldcup.org), a global charity that believes football (soccer) can change lives by supporting, connecting and empowering  people who are too often forgotten or excluded. Mexico City is hosting this year’s Homeless World Cup.

By shutting down the VSSL, Vancouver Parks has caused harm and suffering.

The VSSL provided an important service to an at-risk community. It is now gone. And it seems no elected official gives a damn. That is unacceptable. 

It may be too late for the VSSL, but something must change to protect other non-profits in the future.

I wonder what Mayor Ken Sim and former mayor Larry Campbell — who is now the DTES czar — think of Parks’ behaviour as they try to find solutions for the community?

And what message does this send to marginalized soccer players who have been sidelined as Vancouver manages to make space for the high-priced 2026 FIFA World Cup?