P E N I N S U L A VO I C E S by Karen Elgersma | photo by Janis Jean Photography
Talking with Adam Addlestone PACE FC is a non-profit that has been providing affordable, quality soccer training on the Peninsula since 2018. Adam Addlestone, one of the founders of PACE FC, started playing soccer when he was old enough to walk, and his passion for the sport keeps him involved as a coach, parent, player and advocate. Adam and co-founder Harj Nandhra hope this club will inspire more families – kids and adults – to experience the joy of the most popular sport in the world. How does PACE FC offer families high quality soccer training that is accessible to anyone? One of the beautiful things about soccer is that it's a communitybased sport that is accessible to everyone. At PACE, our goal is to bring back that community spirit and energy to players of all abilities here on the Peninsula, regardless of their circumstances. PACE is an acronym – what does it stand for? PACE stands for Passion, Attitude, Commitment and Energy. We try to empower all our players to adopt these qualities, not only in soccer but in all aspects of their lives to be successful. The Saanich Peninsula has a soccer club; why did you believe a new club was important to our community? We started PACE because we believe that we can provide an enriching soccer experience for players and deliver it in a way that 22 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | JANUARY 2021
is affordable for families. What's the experience been like setting up a new club? We've seen tremendous support from the community with yearover-year growth in membership. One of the biggest challenges is not being allowed to compete in the Lower Island Soccer Association over fears that will draw players away from other clubs. We continue to advocate for our players to give them the same opportunity as players from other clubs. At the moment we remain a house league until we gain access into the Lower Island Soccer League. Many kids and adults are intimidated by sports and they are often scared to play on a team, fearing they aren't athletic enough. How does PACE FC approach those who are either scared, or worried about their ability to be successful? We welcome people of all abilities to join PACE. With the right coaching, some of the most timid characters can turn out to be the strongest and most vocal, confident players. Our job is to help them develop their skills and not be afraid of failing. We also provide one-on-one sessions with kids that are anxious about joining a team setting. We know that many sports can be very expensive, and families often can't afford to enroll their children in these sports as a result. How has