Edmonton community bands together to welcome Ukrainians, get them on soccer team

Thanks to families pitching in help on and off the field, two families are able to simply enjoy a game of soccer for the first time since fleeing war-torn Ukraine earlier this year.
Danya and Vaniya are thrilled to be playing with the Edmonton Warriors Soccer Club, their moms say.
"Two months, when we go from Ukraine, there are no football in his life. But now he's so glad," Olga Borodenko said of her son Vaniya.
And the boys' parents are awed by those who have welcomed them to their home and country, donated soccer equipment, and waived club fees.
Iryna Tkachanko added, "A lot of people help us… We didn't expect a lot of help – from Ukrainians, from Canadians. It's very good."
Iryna Tkachanko, left, Olga Borodenko, middle, and Michelle Young, right, watch their kids play in Young's backyard on May 11, 2022. The Young family took in the two Ukrainian families, who had fled Ukraine two months earlier.
The families fled to Wrocław, Poland, when the conflict in Ukraine escalated, and after a long journey through Paris and Montreal, arrived in Alberta's capital city the first week of May.
"We decided we had extra space. Our kids were happy to give up bedrooms and bunk in together for a little bit, so we just signed up on a website," recalled Michelle Young, who took in the families.
"We contacted the soccer association as soon as we heard the boys played soccer… and they were super great. Just helped us get the kids set up with the team right away."
From there, Warriors coach Luke Dajavs took over, reaching out for old equipment or donations. The club covered the season's fees for both players through its hardship fund, meant to help families who can't afford the expense.
Warriors coach Luke Dajavs, middle, leads a team cheer on May 11, 2022. Dajavs headed the effort soliciting old equipment or donations for Vaniya Borodenko and Danya Tkachanko, whose families fled Ukraine in early 2022. The club also waived the families' fees.
The last remaining obstacle was the language barrier, as neither boy spoke any English. But it turned out they didn't need to when on the pitch.
"As soon as I said, 'Game,' they're like, 'Game? We play?'" Dajavs told CTV News Edmonton.
"That's the thing with football: doesn't matter what language, race, creed, religion, political agenda, doesn't matter. It's football. That's why they call it the beautiful game."
The cumulative effort and generosity bore fruit Wednesday evening when Vaniya and Danya played their first soccer game in Canada, an exhibition match for the Warriors U11 team. Danya even scored a goal.
"It's good to be here. We like Canada," Tkachanko said. "Our life, we leave there. But we think and we hope we can live here like we live there."
"We left a lot in Ukraine," Borodenko added. "But now, we're so grateful – I can't find the words to describe our life here."
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Carlyle Fiset
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre personally holds investment in Bitcoin as he promotes crypto to Canadians
Conservative Party leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre has a personal financial interest in cryptocurrencies that he has promoted during his campaign as a hedge against inflation.

Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner carjacked at gunpoint outside Toronto movie theatre
A day after Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner was robbed of his Range Rover at gunpoint outside an Etobicoke movie theatre, Toronto police said they have already seen more carjackings so far this year than they did in all of 2021.
Alberta premier urges U.S. senators to convince Michigan to stop Line 5 shutdown
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is urging the U.S. government to convince Michigan to abandon its legal campaign against the Line 5 pipeline.
Former Pentagon officials briefed Canadian MPs on UFOs, MP and researcher say
Former Pentagon officials have briefed at least three Canadian members of Parliament about unidentified flying objects, according to a Manitoba MP and a Texas-based researcher.
Prince Charles offers remarks about reconciliation as Canadian tour begins
Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, have arrived in St. John's, N.L., to begin a three-day Canadian tour that includes stops in Ottawa and the Northwest Territories.
'Most horrific': Alberta First Nation investigating after remains of children found
Saddle Lake Cree Nation in eastern Alberta is 'actively researching and investigating' the deaths of at least 200 residential school children who never came home, as remains are being found in unmarked grave sites.
Airport delays: Transport minister says feds not asking airlines to cut back flights
Canada's transport minister is dismissing claims that the federal government asked airlines to reduce their schedules and cancel flights to ease recent travel delays.
First transgender federal party leader calls for national anti-trans hate strategy
The Green Party of Canada is calling on the federal government to develop a targeted anti-transgender hate strategy, citing a 'rising tide of hate' both in Canada and abroad. Amita Kuttner, who is Canada's first transgender federal party leader, made the call during a press conference on Parliament Hill on Tuesday.
Regular travel and public health measures can't coexist: Canadian Airport Council
International arrivals at Canadian airports are so backed up, people are being kept on planes for over an hour after they land because there isn't physically enough space to hold the lineups of travellers, says the Canadian Airports Council.