Proudly supported by:

I CAN Play Soccer is a unique soccer and ball skills program for children with autism and their siblings (ages 6-15)

Children and youth with autism often have less opportunity to participate in community recreation and sporting activities due to a lack of appropriate community programs, insufficient basic skills to participate, behavioural and sensory issues, and lack of time due to daily therapy or schooling. CAN wants to change this with a new program called I CAN Play Soccer.

The program is designed to promote the physical and social development of children and youth with autism by providing an environment and pace on instruction that better meets their needs than regular recreational and sports programs. It also provides the opportunity for siblings to participate and share a positive experience while giving parents a chance to take a break.

Children and youth with autism of all abilities, and their siblings, are welcome to participate. No skill or previous experience with soccer is required.

The following is a list of program locations:

Abbotsford- Sandy Hill School: Monday, 6:00pm-7:00pm. Jan 18-June 7.

Chilliwack- Hocking YMCA: Sunday, 2:30-3:30. Jan 17 - June 6.

New Westminster - John Robson School: Wednesday, 6:00pm-7:00pm. Jan 27- May 26.

Surrey - Tong Louie YMCA: Sunday. Ages 6-10, 2:00pm-3:00pm. Ages 11-15, 3:00pm-4:00pm. Jan 17 - June 6.

Vancouver - Gladstone Secondary School: Saturday, 11:30am-12:30pm. Jan 16 - June 5.

Vancouver - Langara Family YMCA: Saturday, 9:00am-10:00am. Jan 16 - June 5.

Vancouver - Ray Cam Community Centre: Saturday, 2:00pm-3:00pm. Jan 16 - June 5.

West Vancouver - West Van Community Centre: Friday. 3:30pm-4:30pm. Jan 15 - June 4.

To register for the programs at Gladstone Secondary School, John Robson School, Sandy Hill School and the Ray Cam Community Centre, please contact Tasha King by phone at 604-685-4049, or by e-mail at soccer@canucksautism.ca.

To register for the West Vancouver program please contact the West Vancouver Community Centre directly at 604-925-7270.

To register for the program at the Langara Family YMCA please contact the facility by phone at 604-324-9622.

To register for the program at the Tong Louie Family YMCA in Surrey please contact the facility at 604-575-9622.

If you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer please email Emily at volunteer@canucksautism.ca.

"Craig and I watched for the first time our son Jarius enjoy playing a team sport! You did everything right-from the tape on the floor to ensuring one to one supervision for the kids and most of all being relaxed and just letting the kids set the pace that worked for them! It was so wonderful as a parent to just watch and not have to worry about anything my children did or didn't do because no matter what it was always ok.

Anytime time CAN does anything call us, we want to be part of it!"

Jen and Craig Farano

I wanted to personally thank you (albeit tardy) for providing my daughter Lauren (and her VGSC team-mates) the opportunity to participate in the inaugural CAN Soccer Camp as an "Assistant Coach"! It was a fun team-building experience for her team-mates. Lauren enjoyed working with all the players during the three day camp; and, looks forward to seeing the video replays! 

Orson Yee