Former elite soccer coach apologizes to victims in court

WARNING: This story comprises graphic element and should have an effect on those that have skilled sexual abuse or know somebody who has.

Bob Birarda stood and delivered an apology earlier than breaking down in tears throughout day two of his sentencing listening to in North Vancouver provincial courtroom.

“I am really sorry to every of you for the ache, upset and trauma I’ve induced you,” he mentioned in a quavering voice. 

“I am right here in the present day to take duty for my actions and the impression I’ve had on you … There isn’t any excuse or justification for my conduct and I supply none,” he mentioned. 

Birarda addressed every sufferer individually. Their names are protected by a publication ban.

The former head coach of each the Vancouver Whitecaps girls’s group and Canadian under-20 girls’s soccer group pleaded responsible to a few counts of sexual assault and one rely of touching a teenager for a sexual function in February.

The offences passed off between 1998 and 2008, and relate to 4 former gamers who have been teenagers when he coached them.

Birarda is for certain to serve time in jail. Defence counsel is asking for a jail time period of eight months adopted by 4 months of home arrest. Crown submitted jail time of two years much less a day, plus one other three-year conditional sentence. 

In defence submissions, lawyer William Good advised the courtroom Birarda was in his early 20s and volunteering as an assistant coach when he dedicated the primary two offences in 1988 and 1990, respectively. Good mentioned as a comparatively younger man, Birarda “did not perceive the ability imbalance” between a coach and participant.

From 2006-2008, the time interval referring to the only rely of touching a teenager for a sexual function, Good painted an image of a mentally unwell man who was “dropping contact with actuality.”

“The defence doesn’t dispute that Mr. Birarda was ready of belief,” mentioned Good. “He’s an inherently insecure one that at that time was overwhelmed with life.”

Earlier Decide Deanne Gaffar heard that in that time, Birarda despatched the sufferer a deluge of messages, telling her he liked her, that he “obtained off” whereas viewing her {photograph} and that he had began a countdown to her 18th birthday — which he referred to as “Ecstasy Day” — when it could be authorized to have intercourse along with her.

Good mentioned his consumer was now “profoundly embarrassed” by his behaviour, and described the sexual touching that occurred — kissing the participant, stroking her neck, giving her an undesirable hug — as offensive however minor.

Birarda was quietly dismissed by Canada Soccer and the Whitecaps in October 2008 for incidents and textual content messages involving completely different gamers. He began teaching ladies soccer in a Vancouver suburb a couple of months later.

Good learn excerpts to the courtroom from various letters written by feminine gamers Birarda coached within the decade after leaving group Canada and the Whitecaps.

All described Birarda as a constructive affect of their lives. Good mentioned the letters have been proof he was a low-risk to re-offend.

In response to Good, Birarda, 55, has suffered disgrace and humiliation due to the extreme media and social media consideration on the case, and should must serve his jail time in protecting custody.

“Mr. Birarda will carry the stigma for the remainder of his life,” mentioned Good.

A sentencing resolution can be introduced at future date.

Help is on the market for anybody who has been sexually assaulted. You may entry disaster strains and native help providers via this Government of Canada website or the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. ​​In the event you’re in speedy hazard or worry in your security or that of others round you, please name 911.