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From fields in Campbellton to leagues across the province, an influx of newcomers is breathing fresh energy into New Brunswick’s soccer scene.
With more players interested in the sport, however, there is increased demand for soccer facilities and infrastructure.
In the Campbellton region, the soccer stadium located on the grounds of Le Galion des Appalaches school is welcoming more newcomers to the pitch — players who are helping to strengthen local teams.
Gilles Lurette grew up playing soccer and started coaching when his boys were young.
“When I was coaching, there wasn’t a lot of newcomers in our region,” Lurette said.
He said soccer “develops a sense of belonging” and pride in the region for newcomers.
Vincent Bujold, the manager and a player for Restigouche United, said newcomers have definitely increased the calibre of the team, bringing new intensity and passion to the game.
“I played in university for four years and their style reminded me of that intensity of playing in a university league.”
He said more than 50 per cent of players on the senior soccer team are newcomers from Africa.
“My point of creating this new type of team was to integrate the newcomers with the local players and show that we can all come together and have fun and play and build a new type of community together,” said Bujold.
Aboubacar Diallo, who is originally from Conakry, Guinea, joined the team after he arrived in Campbellton a year ago for his studies.
He said soccer has allowed him to visit many cities — such as Moncton, Bathurst, Petit-Rocher and Edmundston — and helped him integrate into the community.
“I feel close to people,” said Diallo. “I have a lot of friends right now at Campbellton because of soccer.”
Younes Bouida, executive director of Soccer New Brunswick, said newcomers “bring their knowledge of the game, the passion for the game.”
He said he expects the hype from the FIFA World Cup 2026, currently being hosted in Canada, Mexico and the United States, is likely to spark even more interest.
“We see more talented players coming from different backgrounds and with the World Cup right now, I’m just gonna see more and more passionate players,” Bouida said.
He said immigrants are responsible for about a 10 per cent increase in participation numbers.
More players means more infrastructure
In order to meet the growing demand from new players, Bouida said Soccer New Brunswick needs to offer more training to increase the number of coaches. He said the province also needs more fields, including more indoor facilities.
He said the infrastructure isn’t keeping up with the popularity of the game.
Aboubacar Diallo, who plays soccer year-round, said finding access to an indoor field during the winter is challenging.
“Winter is not easy,” he said.
He and his teammates have to play at different gymnasiums, depending on the availability, he said.
Diallo’s dreams of having more indoor soccer facilities could come true thanks to the Campbellton Memorial Regional Civic Centre, which has just reopened its synthetic indoor turf field.
The turf covering had been in storage for about six years, but is now used for a variety of activities such as pickleball and badminton.
“Soccer is something that was played here in the past and we’re trying to restart it again,” said general manager Skipp Fowler.
He said the centre is currently organizing an indoor soccer tournament and is still accepting registrations.
Fowler said groups can rent the space for $80 an hour.
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