There is a massive futsal community in Steinbach, and now it is attracting and welcoming newcomers and refugees to participate.

Futsal is a modified version of soccer that is played indoors rather than outside. Instead of the traditional eleven players per side, in futsal only five players are on each team.

In Steinbach, futsal was used with the intent to get some exercise during the winter. However, the attention has now turned to making these newcomer families a part of their community. "We're starting to realize this is a real great opportunity to connect with the newcomers and involve them into the community," said Andrew Harder, the General Manager of the Southeast Futsal League. "For that reason, I think it has become more of a vision for us to cater to that."

ManChestHair United Champions Futsal

"It's been so beneficial to them to play indoors," said Lois Loewen-Epp, the Events and Integration Coordinator for the Eastman Immigrant Services. "(Because of winter) we don't have the time to satisfy all of their soccer interests (outdoors)."

Harder says that the growth started when newcomers came to watch futsal, and then they eventually asked if they could play. Presently, the Steinbach Bible College gym which they use attracts one hundred fans to futsal games every weekend. He says that playing futsal with other newcomer families is special, because he himself is a immigrant from Germany. "I have a bit of an understanding of how much sport, especially soccer, helps connect you with people in a new culture," he said.

It has grown to the point where newcomer students who play futsal have brought recent newcomers from Ecuador, Germany, and the Phillipines to play as well. Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, and Loewen-Epp says there is nothing that brings newcomers together more than soccer. 

"The fact that nobody needs a language ability to play futsal is really important," said Loewen-Epp. "The rules are the same...you just come in and play, and you begin to connect in the community."