Five Minutes With… ·
Five Minutes With Nepean Hotspurs SC
Nepean Hotspurs SC · Soccer club, Nepean and Barrhaven
Nepean Hotspurs SC hosted its first FC Bayern soccer camp in 2025 and returned this summer as an official FC Bayern youth soccer partner. General Manager Shannon Holder told the Bugle what it takes for a volunteer-driven community club to put a world-class training environment in front of local kids.
What did it mean for a community club like Nepean Hotspurs to be part of a moment involving FC Bayern here in Nepean?
“In 2025, we hosted our first FC Bayern Soccer Camp, and the success of that experience laid the foundation for something even bigger. We're incredibly proud that it evolved into an official FC Bayern Youth Soccer Partnership. Bringing back the camp to the Nation's Capital in 2026 as an official Youth Soccer Partner was a tremendous opportunity for our Club and our community. It's a reflection of the hard work and commitment of our coaches, Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers, who are dedicated to providing the very best experiences for our players. What makes it truly special, though, is the impact on the kids. Having the opportunity to learn from FC Bayern coaches right here in their own community is something many young players only dream about. They were able to experience a world-class training environment, and it shows them that with hard work, dedication, and the right opportunities, those dreams are within reach.”
For your local players and their families, what stood out most about having FC Bayern come to the neighbourhood?
“It reinforced something we've always believed at Nepean Hotspurs: that community soccer can provide world-class experiences. Partnering with FC Bayern has created memories that will stay with these families for years to come. For our players, it wasn't just about wearing an FC Bayern jersey, it was about learning firsthand the caliber of training and coaching that is just one step away through the FC Bayern player pathway; challenging them to think, train, compete, and grow in new ways. For parents, it was incredibly rewarding to see their children inspired, engaged, and having fun while developing both as players and as people.”
What goes into a volunteer-driven community club being ready to step into an opportunity like this one?
“A great deal of preparation goes into an opportunity like this. While we're fortunate to have an incredible team of staff, the heart of Nepean Hotspurs has always been our volunteers. From our Board of Directors to coaches, team officials, and event volunteers, everyone plays a role in making an experience like this possible. Everyone understands the importance of creating opportunities that inspire young players, and when an opportunity like this comes along, our volunteers and staff consistently rise to the occasion. Their passion and commitment are what make partnerships like this possible and allow us to deliver an experience our community will never forget.”
What's something about Barrhaven only a local would know?
“Something only a local might appreciate is how many people in the Barrhaven and Nepean corridor have grown up together, watched the community evolve, and know that it is more than just a growing suburb.”
Who in Barrhaven should we talk to next?
“I think the best people to talk to next are the community builders, the people who quietly make Barrhaven such a special place.”
This interview was conducted in writing through the Bugle’s interview form; answers lightly edited for length and clarity.