Filipino Canadians and the Future of Community Sports in Surrey

By Noemi Victorino

Surrey has one of the largest Filipino populations in British Columbia—and the community continues to grow rapidly, expand its reach, and deepen its influence across many sectors.

Filipino Canadians are well represented in various fields, but one area that stands out—yet still needs more attention—is sports and recreation. Filipinos have a deep love for sports, from basketball and hockey to baseball and tennis. However, one sport that has been quietly developing in the background is soccer, particularly within the Filipino community in Surrey.

On Sunday, April 12th, North Surrey Mustangs FC held their Gala Awards Night. 

The event was attended by Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke, Councillor Gordon Hepner and Surrey Council candidate Noemi Victorino who is also a member of the City of Surrey’s Social Equity, Livability, and Public Safety Advisory Committee. 

North Surrey Mustangs FC was co-founded in 2017 by Filipino Canadian Mark Moran. Today, he serves as Vice President of the club.

What began with just 30 children has grown into a thriving club, now supporting 335 registered youth players and two adult teams.

Equally inspiring is the work led by Shar Moran and a group of dedicated mothers, who launched a women’s soccer program known as “Mothers and Sisters.” Held every Friday, this initiative has created a welcoming space for women and high school girls to return to the sport, stay active, and build meaningful connections.

The impact extends to the next generation. Mark and Shar’s son and daughter have volunteered with the organization over the past two years, developing coaching skills and mentoring young players.

 This summer, alongside two other Filipino youth, they will lead a free six-week soccer program for Filipino children—an incredible step toward accessibility and community engagement.

It’s inspiring to see how North Surrey Mustangs FC  is not only growing the game but also empowering Filipino youth to step into leadership roles as coaches and mentors, while making soccer more accessible to families.

Congratulations to North Surrey Mustangs FC!