History

History of the Kitchener Portuguese Club

APRIL 1968 - JANUARY 1970 (Approximate Dates)
Looking at this particular initiative, we realize that all, in general, sports play an important role in the developement
of cultural values. Sports, particularly soccer, were always important to the Portuguese people. These pioneers,
when they founded this soccer team, were aiming, from their opening kcik-off, for higher values and goals.
The Portuguese youth were born with that "soccer virus", a "fever" for practicing this particular sport, often-times called the "Sport of the Crowds".
The "fever", the necessity of training, the technique, the style, the show, the perfect physical and spiritual fitness
and the spirit of working as a team were the motivating factors leading to the founding of this soccer team -
"The Lions".
Everyone in the community had heard about these young pioneers who would practice vigorously and would
gather at Mr. Jose Silveira's residence. These young men were the embryo of the association that developed under the leadership of its first enthusiastic mentor. This was the year of 1968.


Our community had approximatly 10 years of existence in Kitchener when this group of young men, supported by some members of our society, set up in the community a soccer team that would eventually become an important part of "The Kitchener Portuguese Club Inc.".
These pioneers were the "generation group", the fathers of this association, born with the enthusiasm for playing soccer and practising sports.
To substantiate these facts, we display below a newpaper clupping of an interview with Jorge Silveira, the son of
Jose Silveira, published in the Luso-Canadian weekly newspaper "Sol Portugues", ussie date of June 10th, 1994.




THE BIRTH OF A CORPORATION
Evolving around this soccer team and their sports practice, a wave of community interest and support was developing. This cummunity interest led the association to organize a better administration team, still formed
around the same ideals. From this group of people, whose names we will not mention, the First Organizing
Committee was formed. After the Committee set in writing, their common ideals and aspirations, a draft of the Club's Constitution was written. "The Kitchener Portuguese Club Inc." was officially incorporated on August 4th, 1969,
which is the true date of the Club's foundation. The original group of soccer platers and sponsors made the Club's incorporation possible. These people form part of the Club's founding members. This date will always stand out in
the history of our Club as the most important time frame for these celebrations.

THE CLUB IN 1970 to 1971
The Kitchener Portuguese Club Inc. purchased land located at Westmount Road in Kitchener for $59,182.37. Along with this purchase, the Club saw a great period of growth and improvement that would not be matched over the
next 25 years of existence.
The first three years of the Club's existence included:
- The building of the soccer field
- Barn Demolition
- Improvements to the old farm house that acted, at the time, as the Club House
- Building the actual structure that today houses the facilities of the Club
A lot of hard world was involved in building the Club House and its facilities. nothing could express our deep
gratitude to those, who, one way or another, made this possible.


The Club's Grand Opening date had finally arrived. To mark this event we published below a picture of one of the Club's honorary members at the Opening Ceremonies. We are sure that looking at this picture every Club member
will feel as happy and as proud as thius mane. Alfredo da Silva, felt that day when he realized that the building was now ready to be enjoyed by the Club members.

AFTER 1971
For 25 years a long list of people chaired the Boards that administer the Club's activitiesgiving it the greatness that
is enjoyed nowadays. These people did not spare any efforts, to be the ambassadors of our insitution everywhere, carrying with dignity the good spirit of our culture and our sport.
A large debt resulted from the construction which created lots of dificulties, even for the best administrative bodies
of our association. But, for the first time, the Portguuese people, hand in hand, joined together to tackle these difficulties by buying "partial ownership" shares, which allowed the Club to pay its first mortgage fees. Later, in
1978, an addition was built to the Club House accommodating the bar, card games and small parties.

The Folklore Dancers of the KPCI has formed part of the Club since 1990.
One of the most interesting social events of the Club is the Beauty Conest of
"Miss Portuguese of Kitchener-Waterloo".

CLUB'S ACTIVITIES
Every year the Board of Directors has maintained a consistent schedule of activities in order to fund the current expenses of the Club House. We could say that over the past years the Club's financial health has consilidated,
due to the fact that a greater number of activities and social events has made our fund-raising efforts more
successful.

Sports
Sporting events, from the very beginning, especially soccer events, have been the main bond of our association.
The promotion of this sport has allowed us to enjoy great moments of good soccer-playing and has been a
positive force in keeping the "spirits-up" of our Club memebers.


Our team, "Os Leoes", has brought to our Club trophies and excellent soccer players which have made our
name famous in the province.

Cultural Events
Our cultural activities are almost exclusively devoted to preserve the folklore and popular dances of our native Portugal, amoung us.


Some of our notorious artistic shows are the annual beauty pageant "Miss Portuguese Kitchener-Waterloo", some popular theatre performed by troops on transit and our traditional celebrations of folklore, marching band
contests, etc... set on dates like "Portugal Day", "Minho Festival" or Pic-Nic Beirao".

Social Activities
Social activiters, by far, account for the greatest number of community participation throughout the year. There
is always a social dance at the Club with different live bands or DJ's to enhance a special date like "Members Night", "New Year's Eve", "Athletes' Dinner", "Carnival", etc... Many of these socials are arranged on weekends when the premises are not rented for weddings or special events.
These kinds of socials includea great number of important festivities well known for their fabolous dinners,
prepared and served by the people that form part of the organizing committee and also their friends. This is the
case of the "Minho Festival", "Mother's Day", Festival of the Hunters", etc...