VISF is a soccer organization with a big vision and an outstanding community track record.
The festival strives to be one of the most successful international festivals/tournaments in the world, providing our local and international guests with an exceptional soccer and cultural experience that will benefit our city, country, and the world.
Our Mission:
To promote global peace and social change through Soccer.
Our Values:
- Inclusion – excluding no one
- Building teams and communities
- Nurturing – even if we might not benefit directly
- Valuing every single human being
- Helping every person as if we are one family
VISF Facts and Figures
Organization
- VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL SOCCER FESTIVAL, AND MULTI CULTURAL CELBRATION (VISF) is a registered Canadian company located in Vancouver, Canada, which was founded and developed by Palestinian Canadian, Adri Hamael.
- VISF was formerly known as Wish Cup Soccer Festival. The festival was rebranded in 2009 to become the Vancouver International Soccer Festival.
- VISF is funded privately. We receive no funding from municipal, provincial, or federal governments.
- VISF staging costs are a little over $100,000, not including in-kind contributions.
- Over 100 volunteers, part-time staff, and contractors run VISF.
- VISF attracts more than 2441 athletes, officials, and guests. We project 100% growth in 2010.
- VISF sources of revenue are: sponsorship fees, team entry fees, site sales and official merchandise.
- VISF is a FREE event. We do not charge the public to watch and attend the festivities.
- VISF has an outstanding community reputation for professionalism and service excellence.
- VISF is Western Canada's largest urban World Cup-style soccer tournament. VISF is growing in leaps and bounds! Our vision is to be Canada's largest and most meaningful soccer and cultural event!
- VISF receives significant media attention. CBC Sports designated our festival as one of four National LIVESITES during Canada's U20 FIFA World Cup and the LIVE broadcast was watched across Canada and the world. Other local and national networks – such as CTV, City TV, and NOVUS TV – featured our event on their morning or evening news. We received significant print and radio coverage in Vancouver Sun, Metro News, Vancouver Courier, and CBC Radio and were also featured on local multi-ethnic radio stations and magazines, such as Ethiopian radio, and Canadian Immigrant Magazine.
- What makes us unique: Inclusivity, charitable giving, and our messages of global peace and social change through soccer.
Recent History and Our Impact
- 2004: VISF was created by community organizer and humanitarian, Adri Hamael, with a mission to promote wellness, and raise funds and awareness for youth impacted by war and life threatening illnesses.
- 2005: VISF location moved from a small venue at Connaught Park in Kitsilano to a larger venue: David Lam Park in trendy Yaletown.
- 2005-2007: VISF donated over $30,000 to the Peace it Together Society and Make-A-Wish Foundation BC & Yukon. The donations co-funded an international peace camp through Peace it Together Society, and granted special wishes to children with life threatening illnesses through Make-A-Wish Foundation BC & Yukon. In addition to our financial contributions, we also created awareness about their worthy causes, and helped the two charities attract new funders and supporters.
- 2009: VISF was re-launched and re-branded Vancouver International Soccer Festival (VISF).
- 2010: To accommodate more teams and more spectators, VISF moves to Andy Livingstone Park & sport arena. Facility is located in the heart of downtown Vancouver. The new venue will accommodate up to 48 teams and thousands of guests.
Proud Employer
- VISF employs 20 annual part-time contractors, and office staff.
- VISF provides 80 annual part-time volunteer opportunities.
VISF Founder
Read more about the VISF founder, Adri Hamael.
The Team
For the past 15 years since Adri Hamael has immigrated to Canada from Jordan, he has continued to demonstrate a passion for promoting interfaith and intercultural relations; a passion that started long before making Canada his home.
In 2003 Adri started a multi cultural dialogue group aiming to promote intercultural understanding, and to bridge the gap of hatred between Canadians of Arab and Jewish backgrounds. Adri was so inspired by the power of the discussions that were happening within this group that in 2004 he co-found Peace it Together Society www.peaceittogether.ca The aim of the society was to empower Palestinian and Israeli youth from the Middle East and Canadians here in Canada to promote peace through filmmaking and dialogue. During the program here in Canada, the youth were taught dialogue and filmmaking techniques. In culturally mixed groups (Palestinian, Israeli and Canadian), the youth were asked to make films about the conflict using their recent teachings. After the program, Adri travelled throughout Canada with many of the Canadian youth supporting them to show their films with the rest of the country in over 200 screenings. The Canadian youth, of a multitude of cultural backgrounds, and Adri delivered a powerful message during these screenings of peace and tolerance. To date the Canadian youth have continued to be inspired and many have travelled to other areas of the world promoting these messages, begun university with focuses on peace education, and continue to use the films as a tool to promote cultural understanding. Under his leadership at Peace it together, the organization was awarded the Vancouver Cultural Harmony Award and United Nation Association and BC human Rights award.
Adri's knowledge of the intercultural relations and history of Middle Eastern affairs has positioned him as a local resource for Canadian media and groups and individuals interested in Canadian, Jewish, Arab affairs. He has been asked to speak on radio and television programs, to news media.
Since he immigrated to Canada, Adri has raised more than half a million dollars in cash and in-kind contributions to multicultural, and humanitarian causes. Most recently he was asked to speak at the Global Civic forum where he was selected as one of the fifteen most interesting contributors to the cultural life of Vancouver.
Adri has contributed many volunteer years since coming to Canada. For 5 years he served as a big brother for Big Brothers and Sisters Canada, where he mentored a child from a male absence home. Adri Joined big brother because Big Brothers embodies the principles of diversity and welcomes participants regardless of race, religion, and culture.
For an additional 5 years, he served as a wish granter for the Make -A- Wish Foundation where he granted wishes to children with life threatening illnesses. In his years with this inclusive organization, Adri granted wishes to Canadian children from different religions, races, and cultures diverse backgrounds.
In 2003, Adri created Vancouver International Soccer Festival and Multi Cultural Celebration (formerly Wish Cup Soccer Festival) www.visf.ca with a focus on promoting multi culturalism and for raising money and awareness for youth impacted by war and conflict.
The Vancouver International Soccer Festival takes place in Vancouver over a 2 day weekend during the summer. Each team is asked to participate under the banner of their cultural background. In a symbolic world cup style, men and women teams participate wearing their county's colors and a friendly competition takes place. The festival has also attracted teams from the United States and international ESL schools. During the weekend festivities, various local cultures are asked to perform and in recent years there have been Ethiopian coffee ceremonies, Brazilian Sambas, African Coperia, Polish and Irish dancing, and much more.
Soccer, being the most played sport in the world, is a universal language that all new Canadians from all counties can speak. Soccer is the biggest game in the world, the game is played and watched by billions of people worldwide, and therefore it's a powerful medium to promote diversity. The game transcends borders and barriers, and among the most powerful tools to promote tolerance and acceptance. Adri understood this power and he put it to good use.
Inclusivity is the core foundation of Vancouver International Soccer Festival, and Multi Cultural Celebration (VISF). Adri developed "VISF refer an under privileged team program" to give an opportunity to underprivileged New Canadians, Refugees, and community members on social assistance to have the opportunity to play and represent their communities at the tournament FREE of charge. Some of the groups who took advantage of this program are: My youth circle at the BC Immigrant Society, and recently, Vancouver First Nation Soccer team.
On June 26-27 2010, 48 ethnic soccer teams, and thousands of spectators will descend on down town Vancouver to participate in what Adri calls "a celebration of Soccer, Multiculturalism and Unity". VISF 2010 festival will coincide with Canadian Multiculturalism Day and the FIFA World Cup
Melanie Hamael has traveled throughout the Middle East, including Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Israel, and Egypt. She graduated from SFU in 1994 with a BA in Archaeology and Anthropology. It was during her first trip to Israel in 1992 to do archaeological excavations (in collaboration with the Haifa University) that her interest in Israeli-Palestinian relations was sparked. After graduating, she taught English to a multi-national group of young children in Egypt, and then spent time with her in-laws in the West Bank and Jordan. It was with them that Melanie became more aware of the daily struggles of Palestinians in the region. Her passion to be part of Peace it Together comes from the many conversations with people from the region who want peace, and sometimes feel they have no voice. Melanie currently works as a bank manager in Canada and is the Chair Women of Peace it Together.
Christine Wilton is delighted to be returning to the Vancouver International Soccer Festival. As Festival Manager, Christine works closely with Adri Hamael during the festival to ensure an exceptional soccer and cultural experience is had by all. Christine began playing soccer at age 11, and her love of the game kept her involved in the sport throughout her life including playing Varsity soccer at Bishop’s University. As an avid volunteer and athlete, Christine passionately believes in the mission of VISF. Christine is dedicated to giving back to the community and has managed events and logged many volunteer hours for organizations such as United Way, Children’s Aid Society, Canadian Cancer Foundation, Junior Achievement, YWCA, CIBC Run for the Cure and several others. Christine currently works as the Program Manager of Professional, Corporate and Personal Development for Continuing Studies at The University of Western Ontario.
"I look forward to sharing the spirit of multiculturalism, inclusivity, social change, acceptance and soccer with all of the VISF athletes, spectators and volunteers!"
Ranza Clark took great joy in participating in athletics on the world stage as an 800m and 1500m runner for Canada in the 1983 Pan American Games in Caracas, the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, and the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland. Her sporting background, combined with her dedication to the organization Peace It Together (as 2006 program manager and ongoing volunteer), have brought her to the Vancouver International Soccer Festival this year as Volunteer Coordinator. "Volunteers are as intrinsic to the event as the athletes who compete, they are all part of the same team and infused with the same spirit. I look forward to working with and supporting the incredible group of people whose enthusiasm and energetic efforts will carry off this exciting event from start to finish."
University of Quebec in Montreal graduate with a solid ten years of work experience. I have used many tools in many environments and have developed a variety of online software and have not yet found a challenge too difficult to overcome.
Atef is on the leading edge of developing scalable websites and e-commerce solutions. Since the inception I have invested, and continue to invest, significant resources in maintaining a company aligned with the rapidly changing technological landscape. Such investments and many years of experience allow me to provide my clients with immediate support and innovative solutions for all of their web technology needs. My solutions help me meet client demands, control budgets, and satisfy company goals.
I have also worked as technical director in a variety of festivals and events. to name some: New Forms Festival, In the House Festival and Vancouver Storytelling Festival.
Avi Goldstein is a social media consultant and documentary filmmaker based in Jerusalem. The creative agency he co-founded, SocDoc Studios, specializes in producing documentary stories and developing online media strategies for positive social impact. He is active in promoting conversation about the arts through the b(art) project and serves as director of production for the Reframing Reality international film festival challenging the disability concept in Jerusalem. He has volunteered in a variety of organizations promoting dialogue and social change and is thrilled to be participating in the VISF.
Miriam Abu Raya, 23 years old, student work 3rd year student.
I was born in Sakhnin located in the north of Israel. My mother language is Arabic and I speak two other languages, Hebrow in very high level and English in high level.
I'm an active member in PCI (Peace Children of Israel) and a counselor in this organization. One of my ambitious is to try building a strong and stable bridge between the Arab and Jewish youth. As one of the steps I already made in order to achieve it is my continuity in working as a counselor, for example I made a theater which included Arab and jewfish 7-8 grade students producing shows that where performed in different cities in Israel.
In my free time I work with other non-profit organization such as a counselor in "Bayet Ham" (Worm Home) organization, an organization that deal with youth at risk.
My current and major work is as a social worker with community advocacy organization' an organization that deal with strengthing the awareness of residents concerning their social rights, my main work is helping married women to Palestinian authority husbands in guidance for getting their full right from wide range of authorities in Israel such as ministry of interior anfe Foreign office.
My participation in VISF is a great opportunity for me to show the world our work in building strong and healthy relationship between Jewish in Israel.
Stacey Rambarran is currently pursuing her post secondary education, and one of the areas of interest she is exploring is event planning. Stacey is very excited about this opportunity to help out with the Vancouver International Soccer Festival for her first year. She has always been involved in sports; basketball, soccer, and volleyball. Her primary sport has been competetive horseback riding, which she began when she was 8. She can't wait to be apart of a new team at the Vancouver International Soccer Festival.
Stephanie likes soccer the most of all the sports. She particularly enjoys the celebratory atmosphere on Commercial Drive during the World Cup. But she wouldn't get up at 9am on a Sunday to go and play it, or anything...
Stephanie has many years of experience putting on music events around town, and has hunted down many an artist at crowded clubs to make sure that they grace the stage at the scheduled time. She is excited to manage the guest speakers and performers at this year's Vancouver International Soccer Festival.
Born:Vancouver BC
Home: Richmond BC
Married-3 Adult Children
Education:
B Ed Degree UBC 1975
Ed Tech Diploma SFU 1999
Occupation: Retired 2005
Was a BC School Teacher--#1 yrs.
Soccer-played Richmond Juvenile, CIAU, PCL, WCPL and NASL
Hobbies: Golf, travel and computer sciences.
Eddie has a great amount of experience as a player, Phys Ed teacher, coach, and referee in numerous sports including baseball, basketball, football, golf, hockey, lacrosse, tennis and soccer.
He is the Referee Coordinator for BC Soccer/VYSA.
Adam Kahnamelli is a recent UBC Graduate and is excited to join the Vancouver International Soccer Festival Team. Having been involved in soccer as player and coach for many years, Adam has seen first hand the power that sport can have to unite people of very different backgrounds. With personal values strongly related to those of the Festival, Adam looks forward to being able to contribute to the team and help spread the vision of global peace and social change through soccer. Adam hopes to use his experience in the local soccer community to help the Vancouver International Soccer Festival to continue to grow and make lasting impressions on the lives of athletes from all around the world.
Adam brings experience from varying parts of the soccer community including work with Special Olympics Soccer, local youth soccer clubs and academies, and UBC Metropolitan FC, where he is one of the Club Co-Founders and Club President.
Huge Soccer Fan! Looking for a coed team.
4 year volunteer at VISF
Vancouver Resident in Coal Harbor
18 years experience in Hospitality; Food and Beverage Industry
Shane is Adri’s brother from another Mother
He hates long walks on the beach
Greg plays every sport under the sun and he owns his own natural stone restoration company called Marble Renewal
1st year volunteer at VISF
He has over a decade of experience in Vancouvers restaurant industry
Shane, Who isn't Adri's brother from another Mother?
Greg likes long walks on the beach.
Coming Soon
Kate Samaratunga, a Fine Art Photographer and Business Woman, strongly supports the values of the Vancouver International Soccer Festival and the mission to promote global peace and social change through soccer. This is the second year she has worked for the Festival and is very proud of what it represents and feels privileged to be a part of the organizational team.
"I believe that sports can bring a healthy balance to life. The friendships forged during international competitive sporting serves to unite people. Sport is more than competition. Sport can promote mutual understanding, and facilitate dialogue between different communities."
Kate held a position on the Board of Directors with the high performance club Omega Gymnastics for several years. Kate has extensive experience coordinating sporting events and fund raising initiatives relating to sports.
GORDON BOHLMANN -OWNER, REGISTERED PHYSIOTHERAPIST, IMS, MANUAL THERAPY Gordon Bohlmann has 10 years of experience as a physiotherapist. During this time, he has worked in South Africa and Canada in private practice and hospital settings. He has also worked at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa where he gained valuable experience working with National and International Athletes.
Prior to becoming a physiotherapist Gordon spent 4 years training and working in the field of sports science and exercise physiology. During these years, he gained a unique insight into the mechanics of many different sports, and how incorrect mechanics can lead to injury.
Gordon is the current owner and director of Marpole Physiotherapy Clinic and Arbutus Physiotherapy and Wellness.
Gordon is currently a consulting member of the ISTOP (Institute for the Study and Treatment of Pain) education committee, and clinical instructor to the Intramuscular Stimulation education program in Vancouver.
Dr. Michael Horowitz & Health Associates available at the Vancouver International Soccer Festival to discuss your spine related concerns. Receive a complimentary postural & spine evaluation by Dr. Horowitz: a chair massage by Laura Schroeder (RMT) or sit down for a mini-consult with registered acupuncturist Parisa Ehsan.
We're happy to be a part of the VISF & look forward to sharing with you some of our expertise.
Todd has over 12 years of experience as a Registered Massage Therapist in Vancouver.
Working in close consultation with a strong community of colleagues including professionals such as allopathic medical doctors, naturopaths, homeopaths, counselors and acupuncturists has given me a broad and proactive perspective applied to assessment and treatment of my patients.
Todd has been involved in Vancouver International Soccer Festival for many years. He is passionate about Soccer/Football. He speaks Fluent Spanish
Catherine Winckler is a Partner and Creative Director of Switch United, formerly Fleming Creative Group. Switch is a multi-disciplinary design studio based in Vancouver specializing in entertainment and lifestyle markets. Catherine has over two decades of experience developing advertising and marketing strategies for corporate, academic, political, and not-for-profit clients. She is a passionate entrepreneur, a member of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, the International Women’s Forum, and was a past Canadian Business PROFIT 100 Women nominee. At Switch United, Catherine is primarily responsible for multi-platform campaigns for clients in the TV and film industries.
Blair Pocock is a Partner and Creative Director of Switch United (formerly Fleming Creative Group), overseeing a talented team of designers on large-scale corporate campaigns and multi-touch digital architectural installations. Blair has over 25 years’ experience in the design field and brings his wealth of industry knowledge to the growing area of interactive installations for environments including museums, galleries, special events, themed attractions, and more. Blair is also involved hands-on with one of the company’s most valued and longstanding clients, Nintendo of Canada. (And yes, he does get first dibs on all the new game software.)
Dr. Imtiaz Hassam has over 12 years of experience as a Family Physician and is also a member of the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine, certified in sport medicine. During this time, he has established two family practice clinics and spent time volunteering in Central Asia training physicians and building a sustainable healthcare model in this region. Imtiaz’s love of sport made him a valuable addition to the Olympic Speed Skating Medical Team during the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Imtiaz is currently owner of Yaletown Medical Clinic and Highgate Medical Clinic.
Soccer has been a lifetime companion to Imtiaz, playing since he could walk -and he has passed the bug on to his two young sons. Dr. Hassam is excited to be back again as healthcare advisor for VISF and a player of the beautiful game!
June 26, 27, 2010
Andy Livingstone Park
& Sport Arena
9:00am - 9:00pm
Come out and enjoy a World Cup-style soccer tournament featuring fun, food, and festivities for the whole family. FREE Admission!
2010 Festival Highlights and Events:
- Fifa World cup 16th Final Games
- DJ Guests: DJ Rico Uno, DJ Seko, DJ Marvel, DJ Nils, Lady Ra, and the Lizard of Oz.
- Seven-a-side, round-robin action with men's and coed divisions
- Private onsite beer and wine garden by world famous restaurants complete with house DJ
- Broadcast of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Games on 8 wide-screen tournament TVs, courtesy of Sony Styles
- Non-alcoholic family and kids' zone, offering face painting and games
- An exciting halftime show featuring music performances
- Onsite community breakfast hosted by VIPs and dignitaries
- Thousands of dollars worth of prizes will be won throughout the weekend!
Schedule:
- June 26 Opening Ceremony
- June 26 First Round
- June 26 Half time show and Broadcast of FIFA World Cup Game
- June 27 Round 16
- June 27 Quarterfinals & Semifinals
- June 27 Men's Final
- June 27 Coed Final & Closing Celebration
Quotes:
The VISF tournament is the perfect mix of sport and fun!
Cynthia, Commercial Real Estate Appraiser from Switzerland
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