Did you know that Canada's National Soccer Team has qualified for the World cup eight times, placed in the top three at the Summer Olympics 3 times and placed in the top 2 for the CONCACAF Championship five times? All of these huge milestones were achieved on the national level by our Canadian Women's Soccer Team. This team of strong women have proven themselves time and time again, yet Canada Soccer has made significant budget cuts to the women's national team program and has failed to compensate the players.
Canada Soccer is at its peak right now. The women's national team took home gold at the 2022 Summer Olympics and the men's national team qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1986. The outcome of this should be more opportunities for both teams to succeed on national fields, yet the women's team is facing major issues of inequality and injustice, and therefore have headed into protest.
The team was forced to play in the SheBelieves Cup tournament, despite their protest, from February 16th-22nd, as they were informed by Canada Soccer that their protest is “unlawful” and if the team failed to play, the players would “face legal action and lose millions of dollars from their Players’ Association and from each individual player currently at camp.” via their official statement posted on Social Media. The players have yet to be compensated for their 2022 season, so they did not have the means to take this risk, they had to play.
During the SheBelieves Cup, the players wore non-Canada Soccer branded clothing and inside out kits, as they are not supporting Canada Soccer until this issue is resolved. During games, the team wore purple and white as a protest of gender inequity and transgender rights.
On top of the current issues the Canadian Women's National Soccer Team is facing, the team has the World Cup approaching in less than 6 months. Because of these budget cuts the team has had to cut training camp days and full camp windows and even reduce the number of players and support invited to prep camps.
On March 9th 2023, four player representatives, Christine Sinclair, Janine Beckie, Sophie Schmidt and Quinn brought this issue to Parliament. Sophie Schmidt made an important message at the hearing, "The system for developing players is broken and women are making the national team by chance, not by design."
This team is filled with trailblazers, breaking down barriers and redefining what is possible for women everywhere. They are inspiring a new generation of young girls to pursue their athletic passions, to push themselves to new heights, and to break down any walls that stand in their way. These players are not just athletes; they are role models, leaders, and agents of change, helping to build a world where everyone has equal opportunities to pursue their dreams and achieve greatness. This team proves the power of women everywhere to overcome any obstacle and make a positive impact in the world.
Their achievements have shown the world what can be achieved when women are given the opportunities and support they deserve. They are paving the way for a future where gender equity in sports is the norm, not the exception. They are showing us that even in the face of unequal treatment, we can achieve great things through hard work, determination, and a refusal to back down. Let us stand with the Canadian women's soccer team, support their fight for equity and amplify their voices, as we work together to create a world where all women have an equal opportunity to succeed and make a positive impact.
Canada Soccer has gone too far this time. We will not back down until the Canadian Women’s Soccer Team receives equality on all counts.
How To Take Action:
Spread the word! Share this article on Social media using the hashtag #TheFemaleForce
TALK! With friends, classmates, teachers, parents, siblings. Talk to whoever is willing to listen.
Email your local MPs, MPPs, Soccer Canada, and Justin Truedeau about the issue and urge for change.
Follow us on Instagram to keep up with female equality and empowerment in Canada @thefemaleforcepodcast
References:
Ahmed, Shireen. “Canadian women soccer players defiant in wake of shameful treatment by Canada Soccer.” CBC, 14 February 2023, https://www.cbc.ca/sports/opinion-canada-womens-soccer-ahmed-feb14-1.6747864. Accessed 20 February 2023.
Burhan, Asif. “Canada Women Win Their Nations First Only Soccer Gold Since 1904” Forbes 12 June 2022, https://www.forbes.com/sites/asifburhan/2021/08/06/canadas-women-win-their-nations-first-olympic-soccer-gold-since-1904/?sh=7704fd6e3732. Accessed 19 February 2023.
Couto, Sarah Do. “Canada, U.S. women's soccer teams band together to fight gender inequality - National | Globalnews.ca.” Global News, 17 February 2023, https://globalnews.ca/news/9494650/canada-u-s-womens-soccer-teams-gender-inequality-shebelieves-cup/. Accessed 20 February 2023.
Gonzalez, Isabel. “Canada women's soccer labor dispute, explained: Why the national team went on strike over budget cuts.” CBS Sports, 19 February 2023, https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/canada-womens-soccer-labor-dispute-explained-why-the-national-team-went-on-strike-over-budget-cuts/. Accessed 16 February 2023.
Kelly, Cathal. “The Canadian women's soccer team labour dispute, explained.” The Globe and Mail, 14 February 2023, https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-soccer-canada-women-dispute/. Accessed 16 February 2023.
McVeigh, Niall. “Canada women's team on strike over pay equity issues, says Christine Sinclair.” The Guardian, 11 February 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/feb/11/canada-soccer-womens-team-on-strike-financial-issues-christine-sinclair. Accessed 16 February 2023.