USL Feature
Monday, April 23, 2012
If you’re looking for evidence as to how seriously the Canadian Soccer Association is about promoting women’s soccer, you only need to look at the events the organization has brought in to boost the game’s prominence. From this year’s CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament, held in Vancouver, to the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Canada Soccer’s commitment to bringing top-level women’s soccer has never been higher.
Add to the list the 2012 USL W-League Championship presented by Umbro, which will be hosted by the Ottawa Fury from July 27-29 at the Algonquin College Soccer Complex.
“The hosting of the W-League Championship in our country and the nation's capital is a great opportunity to bring this top level of soccer to players and fans in Eastern Ontario,” said Peter Montopoli, General Secretary of Canada Soccer. “The level of play will be tremendous and it is fitting that the competition will be held in our Centennial Year.”
Eight of the 30 teams that will compete in the W-League this season hail from north of the border, with both the Fury and the Vancouver Whitecaps reaching the W-League Championship presented by Umbro a year ago when they were held in Seattle. In addition to finding success on the field, all of these clubs have also played a major role in the development of young talent. At the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, 20 of the 23 players on the Canadian squad had previously played in the W-League, with a similarly high percentage anticipated when Coach John Herdman names his 18-player squad for the Olympics this summer.
In addition to helping develop players, such as former Ottawa Fury standout Christina Julien, the W-League has also offered a platform for players to inspire others to reach that level of competition, and even one day represent their country. Canada has the third-highest number of registered women’s soccer players in the world, with 42 percent of the players registered in the country women. The W-League has offered the chance for the top players in the country to compete in the top league in North America for clubs like the Laval Comets, London Gryphons or Hamilton FC Rage.
“The W-League has not only provided opportunities for our Women's National Team to train and compete at a high level but also to promote the sport to our next generation,” Montopoli said.
Canada Soccer has also done its share to build the game. The CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament held in Vancouver was a resounding success, with a sellout crowd at B.C. Place on hand to see the championship game between the hosts and the United States. Last year’s Women’s World Cup also drew record ratings, which has heightened the interest for when the tournament comes to Canada three years from now.
“The hosting of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in 2014 and FIFA Women's World Cup in 2015 will provide the Canadian Soccer Association with an opportunity to further build on this success,” Montopoli said. “These competitions will provide all Canadians with the chance to see world-class soccer in their communities and will ensure a legacy for future generations of the sport.”
That’s something that the W-League aims to help as well, providing the opportunity to compete at the highest level for teams such as the Victoria Highlanders, Quebec City Amiral and Toronto Lady Lynx as they continue to grow the sport at the club level in Canada.
“Canada Soccer continues to increase its support of the women’s game which includes direct and substantial involvement with the W-League and our teams housed under Canadian Soccer Association’s regulation,” W-League senior director Amanda Duffy said. “We are certainly very excited that the W-League Championship will return to Ottawa, and Canada Soccer will be an active organization in supporting and promoting this event both to fans and to the individuals that will play a very relevant role in the games themselves.”