Soccer fans in the Lower Mainland are invited to attend the 43rd edition of the Nations Cup in Richmond.
With 1,400 participants and more than 10,000 spectators expected to be in attendance, the three-day event will be free to the public and will feature various food truck options and a beer garden.
The Nations Cup groups players based on their ethnicity and background, making up teams that represent countries like Canada, China, England, Mexico, Serbia, Iran and many more.
As stated in the rules, players can only represent a country if they can prove direct lineage by country of birth, parentage, grand-parentage or citizenship.
The tournament will take place from July 19 to 21 in multiple pitches across three Richmond venues. Hugh Boyd Community Park, Minoru Park and South Arm Park will all host games throughout the weekend, and all the finals will be played at Hugh Boyd on June 21.
A total of 72 teams will compete in a number of different men and women’s age categories, including: Open Age Men, Open Age Women, Over 30 Men, Over 38 Men, Over 45 Men, Over 52 Men and Over 59 Men.
Richmond News spoke to Nations Cup president Jeff Wilson, who attended the first edition of the tournament in 1979.
“There were a lot of men’s clubs at the time, and the tournament started as a fundraiser for registrations and uniforms,” said Wilson.
“At that time, there were still a lot of first generation immigrants that moved to Canada, and the idea was, why don't we pull all the Italian, English and German guys into teams outside of their clubs to represent the countries that they're from.”
This is what makes this tournament special, as it brings the community together and celebrates diversity through sport.
“Given that we’re all living here in Canada, it’s important to recognize the diversity of our community and where people come from,” said Wilson. “Soccer is popular all over the world, and it’s something that a lot of people can relate to.”
He also alluded to the significance of showcasing the City of Richmond and its ability to host significantly sized events.
“There’s also an economic benefit to the community, as a lot of the attendees and participants are not from Richmond,” said Wilson “You’re bringing thousands of people that will see the facilities, get something to eat or do some shopping,”
Aside from the coveted Nations Cup trophy, there are no financial rewards, encouraging players to compete solely for pride.
Wilson underscored the growth of soccer in Richmond over the years, especially when it comes to facilities and talent attraction.
“Richmond soccer has come a long way; it's much more organized, you've got a better level of coaches and technical expertise,” said Wilson. “What we’re seeing at Minoru, Hugh Boyd and King George are fields and facilities that have expanded and grown.”
“Richmond is embracing the opportunity to expand the presence of soccer within the city, and we're happy to be part of that.”
For more information, visit The Nations Cup website.
Got an opinion on this story or any others in Richmond? Send us a letter or email your thoughts or story tips to [email protected]. To stay updated on Richmond news, sign up for our daily headline newsletter.
