Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
Soccer fever will hit the Lower Mainland as fans gather to enjoy international women's soccer at BC Place early next year: eight teams from across the western hemisphere, including squads from Canada and the United States will compete to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games.
The Province has provided $250,000 to support the Canadian Soccer Association's successful efforts to host the prestigious Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) tournament.
The newly revitalized BC Place stadium will host the 15-game tournament in January 2012. Two teams will qualify for the right to compete at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England.
Canada's National Women's Soccer Team, currently ranked sixth in the world, includes British Columbia athletes: team captain Christine Sinclair of Burnaby, Karina LeBlanc of Maple Ridge, Emily Zurrer of Crofton, Brittany Timko of Coquitlam and Sophie Schmidt of Abbotsford.
Quotes:
Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Ida Chong -
"I'm confident British Columbians will show their enthusiastic support when the Canadian Women's National Team plays before a home audience for an opportunity to represent our country in the London Olympics. The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games changed the way we view sports - we're on the world stage. This international tournament will provide a superb opportunity for British Columbians to support our summer athletes."
Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Minister Pat Bell -
"BC Place is being revitalized to accommodate exactly this kind of major international event - one that will attract even more world attention to British Columbia. Once it reopens this fall, BC Place will quickly become known around the world as a new local icon - and the CONCACAF Olympic women's qualifying tournament is just the first of many major international sporting events we'll be able to host in the decades to come."
Canadian Soccer Association General Secretary Peter Montopoli -
"British Columbia enjoys a stellar reputation for supporting soccer and hosting major events. We saw the success of the U-20 Men's World Cup in 2007 and the enthusiastic fan support that propelled the Vancouver Whitecaps into Major League Soccer. I can think of no better place for our women's team to win their way to London."
Quick Facts:
* Canada's Women's National Soccer Team trains in Vancouver.
* Burnaby's Christine Sinclair, captain of the senior women's national team, is the all-time leading goal scorer (107) with the Canadian National Women's Soccer Team.
* The women's national team is currently in Rome preparing for the 2011 Women's World Cup in Germany, beginning June 2011.
* The United States Women's National Soccer Team currently ranks first in the world - making the U.S. and Canadian teams the highest ranked rivals in the tournament.
* Canada earned international respect with a fourth-place finish at the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2003.
* The 2007 Under 20 Men's World Cup soccer competition generated nearly $2 million in provincial tax revenue on a provincial investment of $1 million.
* The 2007 Under 20 Men's World Cup played to sold-out venues in Victoria and Burnaby. BC Place can accommodate higher attendance.
* Since 1961, CONCACAF has been one of six continental confederations affiliated with the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).
Learn More:
* Get the latest news in the world of international amateur soccer from CONCACAF at: http://www.concacaf.com
* Check out the provincial government's role in supporting sport and sports organizations through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/cscd
* More information on the Canadian National Women's Soccer Team is at:
* More information on BC Place is available at: http://www.bcplace.com
Contact:
Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 953-3677
Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect
