THE Vancouver Police Athletic League (PAL) and its community partners held the annual PAL soccer tournament on Thursday.

PAL is a youth crime prevention initiative that uses athletic, recreational and educational programs as a tool to foster positive rapport and mutual trust between police officers and youth.

With the partnership of the Vancouver School Board, BC Place, The Vancouver Police Foundation and the  support of many local businesses and community members, approximately 15 elementary schools near the DTES and from East Vancouver were able to take part.

VPD Acting Deputy Chief Daryl Wiebe kicked off the event at BC Place Stadium where an estimated 1,000 elementary school kids participated in this fun and exciting tournament to support youth in the city.

Kids Play said that they teamed up with the VPD had over 80 volunteers who helped out and made this event a success. This program started off with a team of few individuals and now has grown to become a larger and stronger team to make a bigger and more positive difference in the community.

They said: “The sole purpose of Kids Play is to bring about an affirmative change in the community by keeping our youth on the right track through involvement in sports and extra-curricular activities. These young students participated in competitive soccer and learnt the opportunities to become leaders and athletes within their communities, along with staying away from the lifestyle of drugs and gangs.”