We Want to Thank You

Once a month, CMSA honors one member from our community who has gone above and beyond to help grow the sport of soccer in our city. 

CMSA wants to acknowledge all of those that make our soccer experience more memorable. We want to thank all of those men and women that invest their time and energy into growing our sport in Calgary. To all of the parents, players, referees, coaches and fans of the game, From the Sidelines is an initiative to say thank you. 

Know someone who makes your soccer experience better? Let us know and nominate them HERE

Celestin is the team manager of a few teams in Spartans Soccer Club and Academy. He has gone above and beyond for his players and their families especially during the challenging COVID period that shook the soccer community. He fought to keep players in the league and even managed to recruit more players while everyone was trying to avoid contact with outsiders to protect themselves against infection.

Celestin is a mentor, a role model, and now a family member to many - he is a true hero! He has recruited more than 20 players who have never played in organized soccer, all while parents didn't want their children to play outside with others. He would talk to families at the malls, at the groceries stores, in churches to invite them to free practices for their children to have fun playing soccer, with hopes they would want to register after having a good time. Long story short, many did. He knew that children needed that and their mental health would benefit from playing soccer after the lockdown and he was right.

Celestin works two jobs, one of which is support worker. Despite his busy schedule he would take his days off to visit his players families, show them love, encourage them and just show them his presence. He would go above and beyond and become a sort of social worker for some families. Providing advice to parents and players in times of trouble. When players would struggle at school, he would hire tutors to help them improve their grades, and great success stories would follow. When families would struggle, he would drop off some groceries, diapers, or medication. Many of the players he coaches now call him "Uncle", just because he became a part of their family.

He is also a great support to other coaches. When things get stressful or they his peers require help, he is there for them the same way he is for his players. He is a great supporter of the referees too and makes sure he give them a good hand shake before and after games. He is always smiling even when things don't go his teams way during games. He is always friendly, which sets a great example for his players. He has friends among coaches in other clubs too so it's always fun when they are up against eachother at a match.

Celestin is a hero to his community, he truly works hard to develop soccer in the Northeast. He recruits new players especially new comers or players new to soccer, works hard to maintain unity and a great atmosphere his teams, and supports families when needed. He is does all that very discreetly as he is extremely humble and never talks about what he does for his team behind the scenes. His players and their parents are grateful for all his sacrifices. 

Thank you Celestin.