For Staff Sergeant John Medeiros, the Community Cup is an event which brings people together in the name of soccer, a sport which in his words, transcends all barriers.
The Ottawa Police has been a strong supporter of the Community Cup since the Host Program at Ottawa's Catholic Immigration Centre launched the annual event in 2005. Staff Sergeant Medeiros has been a police officer for twenty-three years and has worked in the Race Relations department since January 2007. He has seen firsthand the way the event helps to break down barriers. "The Community Cup is designed to bring people together," says Medeiros, "particularly newcomers and people from all sorts of cultural and religious backgrounds in the name of soccer.
"You only need to look at when Ottawa hosted the Under-Twenty world cup of soccer in 2007," Medeiros continues. "If you looked in the stands it was very multicultural. That paves the way for opportunities and relationships to build."
The Diversity and Race Relations section of the Ottawa Police embrace the Community Cup as a cattalyst in nurturing the development of positive opportunities and relationship building. Some nationalities traditionally have not had a good relationship with the police. The outlet of soccer has helped to break down some of those barriers, which Medeiros sees as very important. "Soccer is played by 275 million people around the world, so its natural for people to play soccer in countries where you don't have snow, where you don't have other sports," says Medeiros. "You're more likely to see soccer played worldwide. It builds a common bond. Soccer transcends all barriers so it is a natural opportunity for people to come together."
Staff Sergeant Medeiros played on the Ottawa Police team which entered last year's competition, a team which won its three games but which lost out when it came to the spirit points which factor in the per centidge of the overall score. Still, that is no reflection of the enthusiasm which the Ottawa Police feel about the event and the welcoming atmosphere it creates. "It brings people together in a social setting," Medeiros points out. "Children are welcome and there are lots of activities. Its truly a family event."
by Jason Dunkerly
