Tournament kicks off heritage celebration

There is no better way to celebrate Hispanic heritage than with soccer.

The City of Bloomington, collaborating with its Latino Programs and Outreach department and the El Centro Communal Latino, will commence Hispanic Heritage Month with the COPA Bloomington six-on-six soccer tournament. The tournament will be at Karst Farm Park.

A number of teams have registered for the 45-minute games. The tournament will include not only the Latino population but also Bloomington residents of varying backgrounds.

The tournament dates are Sept. 25 and Oct. 2. Semi-finals and finals are Oct. 9.
“Our primary audience started out being Latinos in this community, but we’ve ended up getting a wonderfully diverse tournament,” said Melissa Britton, the Latino outreach coordinator for the City of Bloomington. “This year, we’re also trying to get more teams from surrounding areas.”

At IU, La Casa Latino Cultural Center is participating in the tournament for its second year.

“It goes toward cultural traditions, physical health and mental health,” said Lillian Casillas, La Casa’s director. “It goes toward bringing people together that share something.”

Casillas particularly applauded the opportunity to bring Latino males together, a group she said is often less represented in the community.

“It does bring Latinos from the community and from the University together, but it also brings non-Latinos together,” she said. “It’s a great way to create a whole cohesive community.”

COPA Bloomington is open to anyone at least 18 years old to play, regardless of skill level. There will be both a recreational and competitive division.

The tournament has sponsors from all around Bloomington, including Indiana University Health, Kilroy’s Bar and Grill and El Norteño. Organizers said they try to keep the tournament affordable and accessible at only $200 per 10-man team. All proceeds go to El Centro Communal Latino.

The tournament is just one of the many events and services the City of Bloomington’s Latino Programs and Outreach department provides.

Begun in response to the growing Hispanic population in Bloomington, the department and its affiliates aid in matters from common translation issues to the transition for Hispanic residents new to the city.

“It helps integrate them into the community and gives them a very low-key environment to interact outside of the work environment,” said Cristobal Garza, a graduate student working for the IU Department of Spanish and Portuguese. “It helps break some of the social barriers. I think it’s a great thing.”

For more information about COPA Bloomington or the Latino Programs and Outreach department, contact Britton at 812-349-3860.