Hadi Mardikian relocated with his family from North Vancouver, B.C., to Petitcodiac, N.B., in August 2024 to be closer to relatives in Nova Scotia. Shortly after the move, he became a member of Codiac Soccer, where he found a sense of belonging and achieved success.
Expressing his gratitude for the new opportunities he has encountered since the relocation, Mardikian shared, “Since moving here, I’ve had opportunities that I never would have had in B.C, and … I’m so grateful.” He actively participated in Codiac’s under-17 team and represented New Brunswick at the recent Canada Games held in Newfoundland and Labrador.
However, disappointment arose when Codiac Soccer was notified by Soccer Canada that Mardikian would not be able to participate in the under-17 national championships in Kamloops, B.C. Michael Parry, an assistant coach with the under-17 team, expressed his dismay, stating, “To find out at this eleventh hour is a real setback for the team and for the boys, Hadi in particular.”
Soccer Canada clarified that Mardikian is still registered in B.C. and missed the deadline to transfer to a new team. While it remains unclear who should have completed the necessary paperwork, Mardikian believes he is being penalized for an error made by an adult, which he considers unjust.
Despite efforts made by the team and the Mardikian family to rectify the situation, Soccer Canada deemed it too late for any adjustments. An appeal has been submitted to Soccer Canada, citing the Canadian Sport Dispute Resolution Centre’s stance that minors should not face repercussions for administrative oversights beyond their control.
Recognized as one of the team’s vital goalkeepers, Mardikian’s absence is deeply felt by his teammates, who highlighted his significance during a recent fundraiser for an upcoming trip. Expressing disappointment over the situation, teammate Marco Gaudet emphasized the team’s unanimous desire to have Mardikian back on the field.
While the national championship tournament commences on Wednesday, the Codiac team is set to depart on Monday. Mardikian remains hopeful that a resolution can be reached before the tournament kicks off, expressing his focus on rallying support through petitions and appeals to Soccer Canada.