N.B. youth soccer player ineligible for national tournament due to paperwork error

Victoria Walton · CBC News

· Posted: Oct 05, 2025 2:21 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour ago

Hadi Mardikian moved with his family from North Vancouver, B.C., to Petitcodiac, N.B., in August 2024 to be closer to family in Nova Scotia.

He joined Codiac Soccer almost immediately, finding community and success.

"Since moving here, I've had opportunities that I never would have had in B.C, and … I'm so grateful," said Mardikian.

He played for Codiac's under-17 team. He also represented New Brunswick at this past summer's Canada Games in Newfoundland and Labrador.

So, it came as a surprise when Codiac Soccer was informed by Soccer Canada that Mardikian wouldn't be able to play in the under-17 national championships in Kamloops, B.C.

"To find out at this eleventh hour is a real setback for the team and for the boys, Hadi in particular," said Michael Parry, an assistant coach with the under-17 team.

Paperwork was never filed

Soccer Canada says Mardikian is still registered in B.C. and missed the deadline to switch to a new team.

"The rules pertaining to interprovincial transfers have been in place for quite some time and well known," says an email from Soccer Canada spokesperson Paulo Senra.

It's unclear who should have filed that paperwork, but Mardikian says it isn't his fault. He said Soccer Canada is punishing him for an adult's error that "I think is obviously not fair."

Assistant coach Michael Parry says that an underage player shouldn't be punished for an administrative mistake made by adults. (Victoria Walton/CBC)

The team and the Mardikian family have tried to fix the problem.

"We contacted his old club, we contacted B.C. Soccer so that the paperwork could be done accordingly," said Viken Mardikian, Hadi's father. "But, obviously, Soccer Canada came back and said it was too late."

The team has filed an appeal for an exception with Soccer Canada on the grounds the Canadian Sport Dispute Resolution Centre says no minor should be punished for administrative errors beyond their control.

"I feel sad, I feel like I don't deserve this," said Mardikian.

An important part of the team

Mardikian is one of the team's two goalkeepers.

At a recent fundraiser for the team's upcoming trip, Mardikian's teammates spoke about how important he is to the team. 

The Codiac Soccer U17 boys team will fly to Kamloops for the national championship tournament on Monday, with or without Mardikian. (Victoria Walton/CBC)

"It's really disappointing," said teammate Marco Gaudet. "Everybody wants Hadi on our team, everybody wishes Hadi could come play with us."

"As a goalkeeper you have a very big job to do, and he's a very important piece of the team," said teammate Owen Douglas.

Mardikian said he still hopes something can be done before the tournament, which begins Wednesday. But the Codiac team leaves Monday.

"I should be focusing on going to nationals right now, but I'm not," Mardikian said. "I'm focusing on getting petitions signed, telling people to email soccer Canada to try to flip that decision."