Documentarian Shows The Power Of The Futsal Courts in Portland, ME
The Kennedy Park futsal courts are located in Maine's most diverse neighborhood.
Santiago Tijerina has firsthand experience regarding the power of the Kennedy Park futsal courts, which is why he made them the focus of his latest documentary.
Courts of Belonging is a 10-minute film that tells the story of the street soccer courts located in the most diverse neighborhood in Maine, East Bayside of Portland.
On any given night, Portuguese, French, Nepali, and more can be heard as people of all ages gather to play the beautiful game.
The Kennedy Park housing project and its street soccer courts provide daily examples of what it means to be part of a community.
“It’s an interesting melting pot and that creates a sense of belonging for people,” Tijerina told The Blazing Musket. “When you’re surrounded by people who are in the same boat as you as an immigrant or refugee or asylum seeker, when you’re around those types of people in the same age group, it automatically connects you.”
15-year-old Eliezer Simano heard stories of the park from friends who immigrated to the United States before him. He was so excited about playing there that the courts were his first stop after arriving from Angola.
“For many new immigrants like Eliezer, whose second language is English, the game of soccer has helped them interact with locals more fluidly,” Tijerina explained.
Tijerina continued, “The court keeps [Eliezer] glued. It keeps him healthy, physically and mentally. It gives him a good group of friends. People know him, they check in with him. He’s part of our family.”
Tijerina understands how difficult it is to move to a new area. His parents were originally from Colombia but they moved to Houston, TX in the 90’s. Although Tijerina was born in Houston, he changed addresses a few times before settling in Portland.
He quickly learned that the best way to make new connections was by playing soccer.
“For me, it has always been about making friends,” Tijerina said. “How do I make friends as I bounce around all these places? The answer was always soccer. It’s just this language that people from all around the world speak.”
Tijerina, who now works at the Immigrant Welcome Center, views soccer as an equalizer. It brings people of all races, genders, religions, and ages together.
“The whole idea is that the streets or the courts or any soccer pitch bring people together. It makes them equal,” Tijerina said. “That value of equality is huge when building community.”
While Tijerina’s film focuses on the courts at Kennedy Park, he sees soccer games throughout the city. There’s an undeniable passion for the sport, which makes him excited about the USL League One team that’s coming to Portland in 2025.
“From the time that the Kennedy Park futsal courts were built in 2021, Kennedy Park Football Club has achieved nonprofit status and USL League One has announced that pro soccer will be coming to Portland,” Tijerina said. “Stories like these prove time and time again that soccer is rising in popularity across the United States.
“The USL to Portland initiative has not only brought this diverse community closer together, but it has created an even greater sense of belonging for its members.”
Great article.