Vancouver FC means a lot to the entire Irving family. When the CPL expansion team was announced in Vancouver, Callum Irving knew he had to wear the VFC kit and defend his hometown. However, Callum is not the only Irving working towards the growth of football in Vancouver because his dad, Robert, has been as committed as his son. While Callum is using his hands to stop goals, Robert used his to build the locker room.
“Seeing him there when I showed up for training, hammering these lockers and putting it together. It reminds me to be humble,” says Irving Jr. “I’ve seen him put others before himself my entire life. Even if it inconvenienced him, he was willing to help somebody else make their life a little bit easier.”
Robert’s motivation to see his son and teammates accomplish their dream is also rooted in a Canadian football player that never got the opportunity to prove himself at the pro level. “[My dad] went to Simon Fraser University where he played for four years and had a very successful career at SFU,” explains Callum. “Unfortunately, after that, he stopped playing as the North American Soccer League came to a halt in the early eighties and professional opportunities were minimal for him.”
This lack of opportunity encouraged Robert to focus on his family and career in the film industry but it had a big impact on the way Callum and his siblings were raised. The goalkeeper learnt from his dad to see the big picture and, just like his dad, always be willing to lend a hand to whomever needs one. “He helped teach me right from wrong, in soccer and in life, and how to have the right attitude,” shares Irving. “When you have tough days, I think you have to remind yourself of the reality of things and how they could be and how they actually are. I’m pretty grateful for how things are.”
When asked about where he’d be without his dad, Callum assures without hesitation that he would have been a self-centred kid nowhere close to where he is now. “He reminded me regularly if my attitude was ever getting out of check that [it] wasn’t acceptable,” recalls Irving. “Playing poorly is one thing, you can accept that, it happens to all of us. We’re all human but having a bad attitude is not accepted.”
On top of being a leader daily on the training ground, Callum gives back to his community by volunteering with his former youth club, Marpole SC, and their adaptive program for children living with disabilities. Just as Irving Sr. helped to build Vancouver FC (literally), Callum is leading by example and building the values that future stars of the club can emulate in their life.
This Tuesday, Vancouver FC are celebrating the sacrifices and love of all father figures at the Father’s Appreciation match. Join in the celebration by using promo code DOLLARDAD and bring your dad for just $1. Get your tickets here.
