African Heritage Association of Vancouver Island (AHAVI) established a communal sports club known as Simba for underprivileged people of African descent on Vancouver Island.

The purposes of the Simba are:

1. To address the loss of a sense of belonging and resentment in sport participation due to discriminatory practices and lack of diversely equitable representation in the sports industry.

2. Enhance the personal development of underprivileged youth of African descent.

3. To promote unity, socialization, networking, and a sense of belonging through sport.

4. To encourage, motivate and engage the community participation in sports activities of all genders (female and male) and all ages (adults, youth, and children)

5.  To organize an annual soccer tournament that showcases a variety of talent from different levels, ages, and ethnic backgrounds on Vancouver Island through recreational sporting activities.

6. To train committed communal mentors or coaches to develop sport capability and professional athletes through training of community mentors or coaches.

7. Train communal mentors and coaches for the facilitation of sports programs and activities.

Background: Racism affects professional operations and the players in the sports industry where many decisions are made based on racial backgrounds rather than athlete’s performance. These discriminatory practices result in the loss of a sense of belonging and resentment in sport participation. In addition, people of African descent have no mentors, coaches, or trainers for equitable representation in the sports industry. Therefore, Simba was established to unlock the systemic barriers to entry to the mentorship and coaching industry and sports hierarchy by training communal players to become their own mentors and coaches. Training communal mentors and coaches will create cultural competency and communication in the sports industry and promote inclusion and equity. Mentors and coaches will be recruited from volunteering community members (parents, siblings, volunteers, and players) to provide professional support, motivate and re-engage players who quit sports, maintain interest, and enhance their skill level to pursue and advance their sport carer in a friendly and safe atmosphere through respectful communication and just problem-solving. 

AHAVI’s Sports Mentor or Coach responsibilities: The AHAVI mentors or coaches are responsible to,

1. Commit and contribute to planning and rehabilitating AHAVI’s sports programs and activities.

2. Outline sports regulations, rules, and tactics

3. Schedule and referee Simba sports practices and tournaments.

4. Promote the spirit of camaraderie and teamwork among players and coaches for safe sporting practices.

5. Recruit and empower youth to develop sports skills and take ownership of their learning.

 

Sport Mentor Requirements: A mentor is required to be,

• Active, current, and committed AHAVI member.

• Inclusive and mindful of cultural differences of sports participants.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills

• Passionate to develop Simba programs and activities after the training period.

• Demonstrable to previous and or current record of sporting participation and achievement.

• Good skills in verbal communication, a sense of friendly, and humor.

Mentorship compensation: Mentors or coaches will be compensated with the following to ensure consistency in sports activities.

1. Award/recognition

2. Access mentorship and coach training

3. Honorarium

4. Gift cards