Canadian female athletes successfully launch the first ever Canada Women’s Soccer Alumni Association

Canada Women’s Soccer Alumni Association – VANCOUVER, BC (December 10, 2017) – After an exciting match between Canada and the USA on November 9th, Canada celebrated the successful launch of their Women’s Soccer Alumni Association. Graciously hosted by the BC Sports Hall of Fame with over 150 people in attendance, guests were able to meet and connect with over 30 National Team Alumni including Rhian Wilkinson, Melissa Tancredi, Karina Leblanc, Andrea Neil, Charmaine Hooper, Geri Donnelly and current player Diana Matheson.

 

“One of the biggest legacies to be born out of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup came from a core group of Canada Women’s Soccer Alumni who were reunited as part of an Alumni Recognition Ceremony hosted by the City of Vancouver”, says Helen Stoumbos. “From this, we realized that there was power in uniting all players, with the simple goal of honoring the past, supporting the present and inspiring the future”.

 

Shortly after the World Cup, the Canada Women’s Soccer Alumni Association was formed – the first women’s sports organization of its kind to be formed in Canada by the women who played the sport.

 

The CWSA’s mission of uniting past, present and future players to enrich women’s soccer in Canada is just the starting point and will translate into greater impact for women’s sport beyond the field of play. The not-for-profit association strives to:

“This special themed launch connecting PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE NATIONAL TEAM PLAYERS was the first step towards initiating our collective mission to positively impact women in the sports world and beyond”, says Nicole Sedgewick-Stewart. “The

simultaneous launch of our brand identity helps bring our mission to life in a powerful way, reminding us daily of who we are and why we’ve come together. We hope to inspire all women in sport to join us.”

 

Website: www.canadawomenssoccer.com Social Media: @canWsoccer

 

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For further information, please contact:

Helen Stoumbos

Co-Founder, Canada Women’s Soccer Alumni Association

519.820.5279

info@canadawomenssoccer.com

 

Watch our launch video: https://youtu.be/zQg13Q84TPU

 

QUOTE PAGE

 

“When a group of Alumni reconnected at the 2015 Women’s World Cup, we felt like 20 years was way too long for any family reunion and we knew something had to be done,” said Co-Founder Charmaine Hooper. “It was through this realization that the Canada Women’s Soccer Alumni Association was formed and the first step was to bring our family together by connecting past, present and future National team players.”

Co-Founder Canada Women’s Soccer Alumni – Charmaine Hooper

 

“When you have the unique opportunity to represent your country in international competition there is a special bond that is formed between the players.” says Ger Donnelly. “To be able to reunite and have the opportunity to celebrate and honor over 30 Alumni from across Canada at our official launch was an emotional and uplifting experience for all. By honoring the past, supporting the present and inspiring the future we know we have taken the first step to connect our soccer family and realize that we are stronger together”.

Co-Founder Canada Women’s Soccer Alumni – Ger Donnelly

 

“What makes this association unique and special is that it was created by women who played the sport at the highest level.” said Helen Stoumbos. “We have empowered ourselves to create a platform that ensures our collective voices are heard and that our mission to create new pathways for the advancement of women in sport and beyond is fulfilled”.

Co-Founder Canada Women’s Soccer Alumni – Helen Stoumbos

 

“With women’s soccer on the rise in Canada there is an opportunity to bring to the forefront the genuine benefits of sport and physical activity for girls as both athletes and future leaders”, says Nicole Sedgwick Stewart. “However, the gender gap is still very much alive at all levels of sport so there is no better time than now for us to unite and work together to make a difference for women in sport in Canada and beyond.”

Co-Founder Canada Women’s Soccer Alumni – Nicole Sedgwick Stewart

 

AthletesCAN Quote:

“AthletesCAN, the collective voice of Canada’s national team athletes, strongly supports initiatives that seek to amplify the voice of athletes in the Canadian sport system and we believe that bringing together the past, present and future generations of female athletes is a huge step in the right direction for women in sport”, says Thea Culley, AthletesCAN Vice President and former team Canada field hockey captain. “The Canada Women’s Soccer Alumni Association has the ability to be a model organization to highlight the power of female leadership in sport and as a fellow alumni of a women’s national team, I am extremely excited to further develop our voice, our presence and our network moving forward.”

Thea Culley, AthletesCAN Vice President and former team Canada field hockey captain