Our Crest
The Arsaniit Crest was developed in 2018 by Chanzo Greenidge, with graphic design by Brazilian graphic artist Izaqueu Alves in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Inspired by the colours of Argentina, where Chanzo received much of his advanced coach training, the central image of the crest is drawn from The Flag of Nunavik, a design developed […]
Long Term Goals
RECRUITMENT OF COACHES & KNOWLEDGE-CREATION World-Class Coaching and Analysis Tools inspired by the culture and knowledge of Inuit Nunangat Coach training and facility development in Inuit Nunangat Age group (biological age) Number of coaches needed (per community) Coaching Qualifications 0-4 Participation of trained parents ; 1-2 animators S2, S3, S7 4-6 1-2 coaches (with the […]
Medium Term Plan
TRAINING, RECRUITMENT, RETENTION – COACHES, FACILITATORS AND REFEREES Support for the expansion of Nunavik Soccer Support for the organization of tournaments and the participation of soccer players from Nunavik CURRICULUM: FOUR CORNERS AND FOUR CIRCLES Support for the organization of tournaments and the competitive participation of Nunavik soccer players Support for the development and dissemination […]
Short Term Plan
TRAINING, RECRUITMENT, RETENTION – COACHES, FACILITATORS AND REFEREES Remote access to training resources and official courses In-person access to official training courses and language training / resources for volunteer coaches, including visits by instructors, at the Educator and License levels at local or regional tournaments. PLAYER RECRUITMENT AND TALENT DEVELOPMENT Specific resources, programs and events […]
About Us
Arsaniit Coaching, Analysis and Care, also known as Nunavik Soccer, is a mobile and virtual coaching service dedicated to developing physical literacy and lifelong learning in sport and fitness in Canada. Arsaniit was founded in 2017 in Kuujjuaq, QC and was built around the knowledge and needs of Northern communities, in particular the region of […]
Soccer in Nunavik
Arctic Soccer
Before the formation of Nunavik Soccer in 2017, grassroots football in Nunavik was largely informal, with some institutional development in schools and participation of advanced athletes in the Arctic Summer Games and Nunavut Co-ed Futsal tournaments. Planning for the Nunavik Cup began in 2020 and was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By April 2023, the community of Salluit on the Hudson Strait welcomed communities from the Hudson and Ungava regions to the first annual Nunavik Cup tournament, under the auspices of Arsaniit CAC with financial and logistical support from Sport Canada, the Kativik Regional Government, and technical assistance from the Quebec Soccer Federation. Since then, the region has continued to build on the work of many to develop grassroots and inter-community tournaments.
Football as a community game continues to grow among youth in the region. Many players are skilled in outdoor and land activities including hunting, sailing, fishing and orienteering, and combine participation in soccer with participation in elite regional and / or recreational hockey, Inuit games, volleyball, badminton, basketball and baseball. There is a high degree of mobility among Northerners, both within northern communities and between northern communities and major cities in Ontario and Quebec. Considering the variation in training and playing opportunities between communities, there is a need to streamline training methods to allow players to migrate from one community to another without interrupting their progress. As a result, Arsaniit has worked to forge links with southern school soccer clubs and programs to enable the continued development of players and coaches.
Nunavimmiut players are also eligible to participate in the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG-JAAN) at the U16F and U19F levels (11v11 soccer), and Nunavik Soccer staff participated in training and recruitment activities around the PEN-EDN team covering players in Quebec and some parts of Ontario and the State of New York.
Despite the traditional practice of outdoor ball games among Inuit, the current practice of soccer is concentrated in indoor facilities in Nunavik. COVID-19 protocols have underscored the need to provide outdoor play opportunities, given varying restrictions on reopening public and school facilities to students and members of the public.