'That better sense of self allows you to be a more productive individual,' says expert
Should Canadian employees be more active?
Yes, according to Albert Zbily, president of the International Federation of Corporate Football (FIFCO) and professor at McGill University.
“North Americans see recreation as just kind of sitting back and relaxing. It's got to be more than that. We need exercise, we need to get out.”
That research is troubling, he says.
“Almost six million people die every single year just from the fact that they are not active individuals,” he says, citing data from the World Health Organization (WHO).
“In North America, we talk a lot about absenteeism. And especially a post-COVID world, we're seeing a very large rise in mental health issues and… just a little bit of exercise once a week” is just not enough, he says.
In Canada, nine in 10 people across the country have at least one risk factor for heart disease, stroke or vascular cognitive impairment, according to a previous report.
How corporate soccer can help
One way that employers can get their workers moving is through corporate soccer, says Zbily.
“What we are espousing is getting out to a pitch once a week for a 50-minute exercise. That will not only benefit the cohesion of your team setting when working with your colleagues, but it will also increase your serotonin levels, which gives you a better sense of self. And that better sense of self allows you to be a more productive individual.
“You might not touch the ball during that game, but you are running. And the key here is to keep moving.”
Albert Zbily
When Zbily started FIFCO nearly two decades ago, he picked soccer because it's the only sport that every single country plays.
“This is a sort of a universal language.”
FIFCO also sets up tournaments where teams can compete. Later this year, the FIFCO World Corporate Champions Cup will be held in Crete, Greece.
The 6th edition will introduce, for the first time, two age categories with a 35+ age category and the regular 25+ age group.
“Teams are quite excited to return to Europe for this championship,” says Zbily. “This is truly an enjoyable event; we want to try to get more Europeans involved – there is so much potential.”
The 2024 Summer Olympic Games was an opportunity for employers to engage employees and boost morale, according to one expert.
Group setting encourages participation
Despite the competition aspect, corporate soccer is not just for sports aficionados, says Zbily.
“There's this idea that what we do is very high level or high-skill. And the reality is that we get individuals who are over 40 and have never, ever touched the ball.
“This is really geared to an office setting, creating that team atmosphere from the office, bringing it out onto the soccer pitch.”
Corporate soccer is a good alternative to simply getting workers a gym membership, he says.
“It's very easy for a company to say, ‘Hey, I'll give you that $250 that you need to go join a gym’. But statistics have shown us that a gym membership doesn't cut it, because you'll go once, you might go a second time, and then you'll just stop going because it's kind of boring.
“But when you are in a group setting, [there is] a 90% chance that you will continue doing that sport.”
FIFCO started in 2009 with Canada as the only member country. Now, it has 60 member countries around the world.
