Hadi Mardikian relocated with his family from North Vancouver, British Columbia, to Petitcodiac, New Brunswick, in August 2024 to be closer to relatives in Nova Scotia. Upon arrival, he promptly became a member of Codiac Soccer, where he found a sense of belonging and achieved success. Mardikian expressed gratitude for the opportunities he has encountered in his new community, reflecting on experiences that were previously inaccessible to him in British Columbia.
Having played for Codiac’s under-17 squad and represented New Brunswick at the recent Canada Games in Newfoundland and Labrador, Mardikian was looking forward to competing in the under-17 national championships in Kamloops, British Columbia. However, the team was dismayed to learn from Soccer Canada that Mardikian would not be eligible to participate due to administrative issues.
According to Soccer Canada, Mardikian remains registered in British Columbia and failed to meet the deadline for transferring to a different team. Despite uncertainties regarding the responsible party for the paperwork oversight, Mardikian believes that he is being unfairly penalized for an error made by an adult.
Efforts have been made by both the team and the Mardikian family to rectify the situation, including reaching out to Mardikian’s former club and B.C. Soccer. Despite these attempts, Soccer Canada deemed the intervention too late. The team has lodged an appeal with Soccer Canada, citing the Canadian Sport Dispute Resolution Centre’s stance that minors should not suffer consequences for administrative blunders beyond their control.
Mardikian, a crucial member of the team serving as one of its two goalkeepers, has received commendations from teammates for his significant contributions. Expressing disappointment over the situation, his teammates emphasized his importance to the team’s dynamics.
While Mardikian remains hopeful for a resolution before the tournament commences on Wednesday, the Codiac team is set to depart on Monday. In the meantime, he is focused on garnering support through petitions and advocating for a reconsideration of Soccer Canada’s decision.