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ARVIAT
An internationally successful program focusing on youth mentorship and participation is hoping to make a splash in Arviat.

Rick Gill of Soccer 4 Hope delivers an enthusiastic welcome to each of the junior students at an evening training session at Qitiqliq Middle School in Arviat this past week. - photo courtesy of Amanda McLaughlin

Hoops 4 Hope (H4H) and Soccer 4 Hope program founder Mark Crandall and trainer Rick Gill, both former professional international basketball players, came to Arviat to launch the initiative.

John Arnalukjuak High School's Ross Paterson said the program is well known for its work in Africa.

He said having the unique program now feature both basketball and soccer allows it to reach even more youths as it starts a new initiative in Canada.

"Having the organizational founder and executive director Mark Crandall (East Hampton, New York) in Arviat for a week was exciting," said Paterson.

"And, we had Rick Gill of Vancouver, B.C., here with us for two weeks.

"Rick did a huge gear drive a few years back in Vancouver to help kids in South Africa (Khayelitsha) take part in the program.

"They've been coming to the North for a bit now, but this is the first pilot project that's going to run for six months across the country."

Paterson said the clinic focuses on engaging youths aged 17 to 25 to become mentor-coaches for children in grades 4 to 6.

He said they spent the two weeks training the coaches and running practical sessions with the younger children.

"Once their time is up, they hand the program over to a community adult who helps support the mentor-coaches who run the program.

"So, it's a very grassroots type of approach.

"The hope is through this pilot project, they'll be able to roll it out in other Arctic communities."

Paterson said the reaction from the younger kids in Arviat has been great.

But attracting older youths to act as coaches and mentors, he said, has been a bit of a different story.

"There's been a really, really strong reaction from the kids who are going to be on the teams, because it's a chance for them to get into the gyms and play.

"But we'd like to have seen more of a response from the mentor-aged kids.

"We only have four or five of the mentor-coaches in place, but that's enough for the program to run."

Paterson said the community coaches are also in place and committed to launching the program.

He said there's about 60 younger children who want to play and be part of a team.

"A big part of this is getting the 17-to-25 group to realize this a great opportunity for everyone involved and they can be leaders.

"We're encouraging them to invest time into their community and take ownership of the program."

Paterson said the program has been very successful in South Africa - reaching more than 10,000 children a year - and the youth who first started playing in the program now run them.

He said that's one of the main reasons behind the program's success.

"This is one way they distinguish themselves.

"When they go for a job interview, they'll note their years of coaching experience under their belts and being program leaders.

"Here in Arviat, we're really encouraging the kids to get involved, but they're not really jumping to it.

"But the timing could have been better because it was full exams at the high school this past week, so the kids were under the pressure of getting their studying done and writing their exams."

Paterson said the program will, over time, continue to grow in Arviat.

He said the big question is whether they'll be able to support it with enough mentor-coaches.

"The program is a great fit for every Arctic community because tons of kids out there are anxious for gym activities.

"There's always the question of who's leading a gym activity, whether it's recreation or whatever, what's being done with the kids during the time slots, or if it's just free time.

"The level of organization is different in each community, depending on the skills of the co-ordinators."

Paterson said he's impressed with the structure employed by the program.

He said kids come to the gym to play soccer for an hour and then take part in circle time.

"After their game, their little team comes together to talk about life.

"They find out what's going on with the kids and run a session focusing on healthy attitudes and behaviours.

"They discuss eating healthy, staying hydrated, brushing their teeth and staying away from drugs and alcohol."

Paterson said a lot of energy is invested into middle and high school kids, often through sports, but there's a big gap between those youths and the younger ages.

He said the H4H and Soccer 4 Hope programs offer the younger children a great deal.

"It's about participating, feeling you're a part of something and being together in a positive way.

"That's what we all need in our day-to-day lives."

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