Learn soccer skills from World Cup captain Atiba Hutchinson this weekend in Brampton

Local soccer clubs and players can learn skills from Canada’s World Cup captain and the city’s own Atiba Hutchinson at a free festival this weekend in Brampton.

Named after the jersey number he wore for Canada, the “13 Great Assists” festival runs this weekend at the newly opened Atiba Hutchinson Courts at Century Gardens in Brampton.

Featuring team practices, skills sessions and open play, the festival is also a way for players to give back to the community with participants performing good deeds around the city, says Brampton City Coun. Rowena Santos.

“Just like our Atiba #13, we are calling on our youth to give back to community and participate in the passion of soccer. I encourage all youth soccer clubs and players to complete their acts of kindness and join Atiba at this free event to give back by learning new skills in the community and on the field,” Santos said in a release.

Hutchinson was born in Brampton and had 105 international appearances in the span of 20 years, making him the Canadian national team’s record cap holder.

He was one of seven members of the 2022 World Cup team hailing from Brampton, and published a memoir The Beautiful Dream, telling the soccer star’s inspiring story of growing up in Brampton to playing on the world stage.

The festival runs on both Saturday and Sunday. Click here for a full line-up of events.

Hutchison, affectionately known as Captain Canada, already has a soccer court in Brampton named after him but the city is looking to build on his legacy by partnering on a new project “creating an urban sports park or similar multipurpose sports venue(s) in Brampton,” according to a Brampton City Council motion last year.