Rescheduled: Free soccer workshop in Okanagan carries on Women’s World Cup legacy

Vancouver, BC – Girls and women in the Thompson-Okanagan will have the opportunity to attend a free soccer leadership workshop on the new date of Saturday, November 7 as part of the Women’s World Cup Legacy Project. 

This is one of five events being hosted across the province between September and November, with the goal of inspiring more girls and women to become involved in soccer as a coach, official, or volunteer. Each full-day workshop features a key note speaker, leadership seminar, an intro to coaching and officiating course, on-field practice, free lunch, and more.

Kelowna’s event will be led by keynote speaker Michelle Pye, a local international soccer referee for FIFA and Canada Soccer.

EVENT DETAILS: When: November 7, 2015 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm PT
Where: Valley First Soccer Centre, Kelowna, BC
Cost: Free
Register: www.viasport.ca/soccerlegacy  
The Women’s World Cup Legacy Project is a collaboration between viaSport, the Province of BC, BC Soccer, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and the Canadian Association for Women and Sport and Physical Activity, with the goal of creating a lasting legacy for girls and women in soccer across British Columbia. 

For more details on the events and their locations across BC, or to learn more about the Women’s World Cup Legacy Project, visit viaSport’s website at: viasport.ca/soccerlegacy.
 
Quotes:  
Premier Christy Clark, MLA for Westside-Kelowna: During the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the entire country rallied behind a remarkable team of women, showing girls they, too, can become sports heroes. These legacy workshops will allow them to discover coaching, officiating or volunteering with a soccer club in their area and help grow the sport as role models for the next generation.
 
Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development: The 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup showed young girls and women in this province that there are many opportunities for them in athletics and behind the scenes. These legacy workshops put together by viaSport and the Province of B.C. will allow them to discover coaching, officiating or volunteering with a soccer club in their area and help grow the sport as role models for the next generation.
 
Norm Letnick, MLA for Kelowna – Lake Country: I encourage girls and women in our area to take advantage of this chance to learn about the different ways they can become involved in soccer and acquire important life-long skills. This is a unique opportunity that should not be missed by those who love soccer in all its aspects.
 
Steve Thomson, MLA for Kelowna-Mission: It is very rewarding to see the lasting legacies that come from the Province’s investment in hosting international events. This latest legacy, a result of hosting the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, will benefit our local girls and women for many years to come as they learn new ways to get involved in this popular sport.
 
Dan Ashton, MLA for Penticton: The goal of the legacy project is to increase the number of girls and women involved in coaching and officiating soccer. Attendees will get to hear first-hand from leaders in the sport and will gain valuable insights and skills that will allow them to become mentors in their communities.
 
Sheila Bouman, CEO, viaSport: In collaboration with our project partners, viaSport is proud to share the spirit of the Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 across British Columbia. By providing free access to tools, resources and impactful role models, it is our goal to inspire the participation of more female coaches, leaders and advocates in every region of the province.

Jason Elligott, Executive Director, BC Soccer: The FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 was an incredible success, especially in Vancouver and BC Soccer is extremely excited to be working with the Provincial Government, viaSport, CAAWS and Vancouver Whitecaps FC on these legacy workshops. The workshops offer female coaches, administrators and those just passionate about sports the opportunity to grow and develop as well as network with other female professionals. We’re encouraging all women who are interested in working within sports to sign up and take advantage of these free workshop offerings.

Rachel Lewis, Chief Operating Officer, Vancouver Whitecaps FC: The FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 has been a catalyst for soccer in this province and country and Whitecaps FC looks forward to working with the Provincial Government, viaSport, the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and BC Soccer on the Women’s World Cup Legacy Project. The five sessions, to be held throughout British Columbia, will provide unique leadership and development opportunities for girls and women involved in soccer as players, coaches, officials and volunteers.

Karin Lofstrom, Executive Director, Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) : CAAWS is happy to see that one of the legacies from the Women’s World Cup is this opportunity for more women to receive training to take on leadership roles in sport. We need to see more women as role models in all areas of leadership in sport.

About viaSport British Columbia: viaSport British Columbia is a not-for-profit organization established in 2011, responsible for providing strategic leadership to sport in BC. Formed in partnership with the provincial sport sector and the Province of BC, our mandate is to increase awareness, opportunity and participation in sport across the province at every stage of life and in every community. Learn more at www.viasport.ca  

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Media contact: Alyson Gourley-Cramer
Acting Director, Communications & Engagement
viaSport
Tel: 250.961.5366
Email: AlysonGC@viasport.ca