TORONTO, ON | October 28, 2026 – Today at BMO Field, Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario (ISWO) officially launched Spirit of the Pitch, a transformative, multi-year soccer and sport development initiative designed to empower First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth across Ontario.
The milestone event brought together more than 100 community leaders, young athletes, coaches, sports executives, and partners for a private reception celebrating the creation of an enduring, long-term athlete development pathway.
"Tonight is an unforgettable celebration of what is possible when we unite around our youth," said Frank Horn, Board Chair of Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario. "Sport has an unmatched ability to heal, inspire, and build future leaders. Spirit of the Pitch goes far beyond technical skills – it connects culture, physical health, and community pride. With the incredible support of the Province of Ontario, the City of Toronto, and our teammates at Ontario Soccer and Toronto FC, we are ensuring our young people have a clear, barrier-free pathway from their home communities all the way to provincial, national, and international stages."
Powered by $950,000 in foundational funding from the FIFA World Cup 2026TM Toronto Legacy Program and supported through the Ontario Ministry of Sport, Spirit of the Pitch transforms the global excitement of the upcoming FIFA World Cup into a permanent, community-led legacy. Grounded in the Indigenous understanding that sport is medicine, the initiative expands access from grassroots community clinics to elite competitive streams.
“The FIFA World Cup 2026 showcased Ontario as a world-class destination for sport, and Spirit of the Pitch helps turn that momentum into a lasting legacy for Indigenous youth,” said Brian Saunderson, Minister of Sport. “Through our $950,000 investment, we’re helping break down barriers to participation and create pathways for Indigenous athletes to develop their skills and pursue their goals in sport.”
Answering the Call: Truth and Reconciliation in Action
At the heart of the initiative is a direct operational commitment to Call to Action #89 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). Call to Action #89 urges all levels of government and sport organizations to ensure policies promote physical activity as a fundamental element of health and well-being, eliminate barriers to sports participation, support the pursuit of athletic excellence, and build sustainable capacity in the Canadian sport system for Indigenous Peoples.
“Growing up as an elite athlete while carrying my identity as an Anishinabekwe, I still believe the need for culturally safe sport and recreational pathways is as true today as ever. I’m looking forward to supporting the Spirit of the Pitch in making a difference in Indigenous athletes’ lives," shares Victoria Marchand, North American Indigenous Athletic (NAIA) Hall of Fame Inductee and 2026 National Indigenous Coach of the Year. "Spirit of the Pitch has the potential to make real-life impacts on and off the field for so many youth. It recognizes sport as medicine and believes in the power of Indigenous mentorship and ways of knowing.”
Through equipment access, financial assistance via micro-grants, barrier-free local programming, and the certification of Indigenous coaches and referees, Spirit of the Pitch delivers a tangible answer to Call to Action #89 – building an enduring, inclusive soccer landscape directly within Indigenous communities.
Strategic Partnerships Driving Grassroots to High Performance
To deliver sanctioned, high-quality development, ISWO is collaborating directly with provincial and professional sport bodies. Building on ISWO’s associate membership with Ontario Soccer formalized this fall, the partnership establishes dedicated training, certification, and competition standards tailored for Indigenous athletes.
"Ontario Soccer is thrilled to stand alongside ISWO as a dedicated provincial technical partner," said Johnny Misley, Chief Executive Officer of Ontario Soccer. "Following our associate membership welcoming ISWO into the Ontario Soccer family this fall, this collaboration allows us to bring certified coach and referee training, technical standards, and structured development directly into First Nation, Inuit, and Métis communities. Together, we are creating seamless opportunities for Indigenous players to develop their game, compete at high levels, and fall in love with the beautiful game."
In addition, partnership with Toronto FC brings professional inspiration, youth engagement, and mentorship opportunities to the forefront.
“Soccer has an incredible ability to unite communities, inspire youth, and build lasting confidence both on and off the pitch,” said Chris Shewfelt, Vice President of Business Operations for Toronto FC. “Toronto FC is proud to support Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario as they launch Spirit of the Pitch, advancing reconciliation in action and expanding Indigenous youth access to soccer. Through collaboration and knowledge-sharing in grassroots programming, coaching, and player development, we look forward to supporting ISWO in shaping meaningful development pathways that create more opportunities for Indigenous youth to engage with and grow through the game.”
A Five-Year Sustainable Pathway
Building on initial regional delivery hubs in Six Nations of the Grand River, Kenora, and Sudbury – alongside broad activations across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) – the initiative outlines a clear roadmap:
• Grassroots Access & Equipment: Delivering community clinics, school play days, and sport registration micro-grants to remove financial and geographic barriers.
• Capacity & Workforce: Recruiting and certifying dozens of Indigenous coaches, mentors, and match officials to retain athletic leadership and technical knowledge within communities.
• High Performance & Major Games: Structuring a pipeline connecting grassroots participants to the Ontario Summer Indigenous Games (OSIG), North American Indigenous Games (NAIG), and provincial soccer competition streams.
The evening featured an inspiring hoop dance performance by renowned Indigenous youth activist and artist Theland Kicknosway, celebrating culture and community resilience. The formal reception concluded with a ceremonial presentation of commemorative Spirit of the Pitch jerseys to honored guests and speakers, a group photo opportunity, and an exciting chance for attendees and youth to take in the live match together at BMO Field.
For more information on Spirit of the Pitch, upcoming clinics, and community programming, please visit www.iswo.ca.
Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario Quick Facts:
• ISWO is the designated Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Body for the province of Ontario, primarily funded through the Ministry of Sport and the Government of Canada, through Sport Canada.
• ISWO serves all Indigenous Peoples and communities across the province of Ontario, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis, living on and off-reserve, in rural and urban settings, encompassing more than 430,000 Indigenous Peoples.
• ISWO promotes and creates opportunities for participation in sport, cultural, and leadership activities that promote wellness and positive lifestyles for Indigenous Peoples across Ontario.
• ISWO provides opportunities for physical literacy and competitive sport skill development and training by creating sport development pathways, designed specifically for Indigenous youth.
• ISWO is recognized by the Aboriginal Sport Circle and the North American Indigenous Games Council, and is the designated sport body for the development, selection and management of Team Ontario, which participates in the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships and North American Indigenous Games.
Acknowledgement
ISWO honours the traditional lands and homelands of all Indigenous Peoples and communities across the province of Ontario, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis living both on and off reserve, in rural and urban communities.
Contact Information
Abby Shirazi
Senior Advisor, Special Projects & Communications
Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario
(416) 825-3348
abidahshirazi@gmail.com