The news is good in Quebec amateur soccer. After difficult pandemic years, “we see a return almost to the numbers of 2019” in terms of registrations.
Posted yesterday at 5:15 p.m.
“If we compare ourselves to other years, we are very good,” said Mathieu Chamberland, director of the Soccer Quebec federation. We are ahead. At [mercredi] morning, we had 117,000 registrations. Last year, we ended the year with just over 145,000. In 2019, pre-pandemic, we were at 162,000.
The finding is the same at the provincial level as at the regional level. Especially in the two major associations in the Montreal region.
“We are seeing an increase, an interest,” according to Stéphane Clementoni, general manager of the Concordia Regional Soccer Association (ARSC), which covers a territory ranging from the borough of Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de- Thanks to Pointe-aux-Trembles.
“We have not yet returned to the figures from before the pandemic, nuance George Tissot, CEO of the Lac St-Louis Soccer Association, which covers the west of the island. That said, there is a return to the game which is interesting. We must continue to encourage children to come back to play. »
Of course, this series of calls from The Press takes place quite early in the season. Lawns in Quebec are still hidden under the snow, which slows down the process. This is the case in Quebec, in particular.
“There is still a slight delay at present, concedes Philippe Bernard, of the Regional Soccer Association of Quebec (ARSQ). This morning, I have 18,000 registrations. […] In 2019, I had close to 20,000 players. I am 1900 behind my year 2019.
“But there are several things that explain this. In Quebec, there is still snow. It melted really late this year, and we know that the little ones register late. […] Normally after melting there is always a small boom. »
Philippe Bernard nevertheless notes “encouraging” signals. “This week, I see that the numbers are increasing day by day,” he says.
I would really like us to come back to the same level. But realistically, I have the impression that we will lose 500 to 700 members in total. Which would not be a disaster in percentage terms compared to the years we have known.
Philippe Bernard, of the Quebec Regional Soccer Association
However, there is one region that beats the odds.
“The nice surprise this year was Estrie,” rejoices Mathieu Chamberland, of Soccer Québec.
According to statistics provided by Soccer Quebec to The Press, Estrie already has 5,685 registrations, girls and boys, as of April 21. It’s 442 players more than for the whole 2021 season. And we haven’t yet discovered each other by a thread.
“It’s really a good omen,” says Chamberland.
“A cleavage” among girls
What is less so is the enrollment rate among girls.
Stéphane Clementoni, of the ARSC, talks about it without being asked directly about it. “Unfortunately, we feel that there is collateral damage from the pandemic in women’s sport. »
It refers to this pan-Canadian study, published in July 2021, carried out by the organization Women and Sport in Canada. We learned in particular that “one in four Canadian girls was not determined to return to sport” after the pandemic.
“As of April 26, I have 1,767 girls registered,” explains Clementoni. On this date, in 2019, I had 1957.
A drop of 190 players, or about 10%.
“There is a divide there. That’s pretty important for now. But it is still very early in the season. There is still a big month of May of registrations for toddlers. »
The Press had met the federal Minister of Sports, Pascale St-Onge, in Toronto in March, on the sidelines of the Canadians’ qualifying match for the Soccer World Cup. She was also worried about the conclusions of this report.
PHOTO YAN DOUBLET, LE SOLEIL ARCHIVES
Pascale St Onge
Before the pandemic, girls and young women already practiced less sport in organized settings than men, than boys in general. With the pandemic, this gap has increased because everyone has been put on hold for a while. And the number of young girls who said they don’t want to get back into physical activity, it’s really concerning. […] There is a lot of work ahead of us after this pandemic.
Pascale St-Onge, Federal Sports Minister, during an interview in March
Soccer Quebec also noticed this “cleavage”. But we are not sure that the pandemic is the only cause.
“We noticed that among the girls, we were losing small percentages, indicates Mathieu Chamberland. […] Is this the effect of the pandemic? Is it because there are more sports offered for girls, which in itself is very good news? »
That does not prevent the provincial federation from taking the bull by the horns.
“We found that the girls perhaps lacked role models in the field to identify with. At Soccer Quebec, our line of work has mainly been in terms of promoting female coaches. We mentor coaches all over Quebec. And also for those who want to have higher level diplomas. We offer scholarships with our partner Respect et Sport. This is our initiative. »
However, the situation does not seem generalized. The Association of Lac St-Louis and that of Quebec do not see the same gap between the registrations of girls and boys.
“Our women’s membership has always been strong,” explains George Tissot, of Lac St-Louis. Strong in numbers, and strong in level of play.”
“It’s pretty much the same thing, believes Philippe Bernard, of the ARSQ. Good year, bad year, I had 58-59% for boys, 42-41% for girls. We are still in these statistics. »
But beyond all that, and despite the misleading appearances, the season for cleats and turf is approaching.
“All the arguments are there to register,” recalls Mathieu Chamberland.
“The women won the Olympic gold medal. The men are qualified for the World Cup. It’s a sport that is inclusive, that brings communities together. It’s time to be part of the adventure and try it out. »