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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.