Association celebrates Olympic berth

The Canadian Soccer Association congratulated its women’s national team today at a private lunch in Vancouver, BC. The women’s national team recently became the first team in Association history to qualify for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.



“The Canadian Soccer Association’s Board of Directors joins me in recognising your accomplishment in qualifying for this year’s Olympic Games,” said president Dominic Maestracci. “We are very proud of your performance that has inspired the Canadian soccer community. We wish you all the best success at this summer’s Games.”



The women’s senior team, whose title sponsor is Winners and whose presenting sponsor is Teck Cominco, will play three or more games at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in Beijing. Canada plays Argentina on 6 August, hosts China on 9 August, and Sweden (Sverige) on 12 August.



Of the 12 teams taking part (three groups of four), eight teams will advance to the quarter-finals scheduled for 15 August. The semi-finals take place 18 August and the last two games (match for third place and the final) take place 21 August.



The Tuesday 6 May lunch was preceded by a media conference at the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame. All players were in attendance so that Dr. Maestracci, Association general secretary Peter Montopoli, and women’s head coach Even Pellerud could say a few words. The media was then given the opportunity to snap a photo of the team and to speak with all of the players.



WINNERS –

“Winners would like to take this opportunity to wish you the best of luck as you pursue your Olympic dream. You are truly an inspiration to the youth soccer clubs in local communities nation-wide.

“At Winners, we pride ourselves at being dedicated, responsive and involved community partners and the strength, courage and teamwork you exemplify today is what we strive to communicate as core values to the soccer clubs we support nation-wide.

“On behalf of the associates at Winners across Canada, good luck in your competition and we wish you every success!”



TELUS-

“TELUS congratulates the Canadian Women’s National Team on qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. TELUS has a proud history of contributing to the evolution and rising popularity of soccer in Canada and we are also proud of our support of all the men’s and women’s National teams of the Canadian Soccer Association. TELUS will continue to work to strengthen this partnership with the CSA and inspire young soccer players from the playground to the podium.”