Greg Pinel is on a soccer mission. After launching The Soccer Project Foundation in New York in 2009 and its subsequent Restaurant Soccer League a few years later, the born-and-raised Vancouverite is bringing the award-winning model back to his hometown.

The league is geared towards employees of the service industry, people whose schedules prevent them from participating in most organized sports. These are proper games, with BC-certified referees and premium equipment, but you don’t have to be a pro to participate. It’s the perfect opportunity to kick it (pun intended) and sweat it out with your co-workers outside the oft-stressful and fast-paced work environment. Staff teams of five compete against other establishments for the honour of being named Vancouver’s best hospitality soccer team. Proceeds from registration fees ($99 per player) go towards the local branch of Pathways to Education, a non-profit helping DTES high school students to graduate by providing educational, counselling and job-placement services. Score!

The season literally kicks off on October 25th and the games run between 11am-2pm at Trillium Park (600 National Avenue) until December 17th. All you’ve got to do is rally together at least four staff members, coworkers, clients and/or suppliers and register here.

Contact [email protected] for more info and questions/concerns.