Canada Soccer hosts Women & Girls IDEA Day, presented by Visa

In celebration of International Women’s Day 2024, Canada Soccer has opened registration to the first Women & Girls IDEA Day, presented by Visa, in support of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility. The online speaker series this coming Thursday 21 March will feature Olympic champion Erin McLeod as the keynote speaker alongside community club leaders from Swan City FC (Grande Prairie, Alberta), United DFC (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia), and North Shore Girls SC (North Vancouver, British Columbia).

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. In sport, Canada Soccer are the reigning Olympic champions and the only women’s program to reach the podium in each of the last three Olympic Football Tournaments. Goalkeeper McLeod was the hero when Canada captured the hearts of a nation and a Bronze Medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games. After she missed the 2016 tournament through injury, she was back in the squad when Canada captured Gold at Tokyo in 2021.

McLeod is more than just a champion on the pitch. As a pioneering athlete and advocate for gender equality in sports, McLeod brings a wealth of experience and passion, sharing invaluable insights on overcoming obstacles and achieving success in sport and as a champion for mindfulness the through The Mindful Project.

Canada Soccer’s Women & Girls IDEA Day, presented by Visa, will amplify the great work being done in communities across our country and serve as a catalyst for change, inspiring participants to create more inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible spaces. Canada Soccer will highlight best practices and success stories from soccer organizations in Canada that have made substantial progress in promoting IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility), with a particular focus on Women and Girls.

To learn more about International Women’s Day 2024, visit https://www.internationalwomensday.com/. 

Keynote: Erin McLeod

Erin McLeod is an Olympic champion and a Canada Soccer record holder from an international career that has spanned more than two decades. She was one of Canada’s heroes at the London 2012 Olympic Games, a team that has been recognised as a Canada Soccer Team of Distinction and honoured by the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame. She was also at her best for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 when Canada reached the Quarterfinals in front of record-setting crowds. Still active as a professional footballer with Stjarnan FC in Iceland, she left international football in 2022 ranked first all-time in Canada goalkeeper appearances and second in all-time clean sheets.

Erin’s interest in mindfulness began in the lead-up to the London 2012 Olympic Games when she began working with renowned sports psychiatrist Dr. Ceri Evans. While the mental game had always been a part of her training, this helped Erin achieve significant growth that has directly contributed to her success on the soccer pitch. Outside of her professional career, Erin is a motivational speaker and outspoken advocate for human rights, women’s empowerment, and LGBTQIA2S+ rights.  

Alongside McLeod, the Women & Girls IDEA Day, presented by Visa, will also shine a spotlight on three fantastic community club leaders who are making a real difference at the grassroots level. These three leaders are dedicated to getting girls into soccer and ensuring they stay involved.

Swan City FC – 4HER Program (https://swancityfc.ca/) 

4HER was developed with the ultimate goal of creating gender equity through sport within the Grande Prairie Community. The initiative helps empower girls and women as active participants and leaders, thus creating a lasting change in their community and beyond. 4HER is designed for females and is based upon the four pillars: empowerment, equity, leadership and athletics.

United DFC – W-Inspire Conference (https://www.udfc.ca/content/w-inspire) 

Born from a vision to empower female leaders in sports, W-Inspire began as a day-long event, which has now evolved into a vital platform for women and gender-diverse individuals participating in sport in Nova Scotia. W-Inspire champions gender equity, encouraging women to break barriers in sport. It extends beyond Nova Scotia, welcoming diverse voices.

North Shore Girls SC – Female-Centric Programming (https://www.nsgsc.com/nsgsc/) 

North Shore Girls SC is one of the oldest and largest female-centered, not-for-profit community soccer clubs in Canada. For over 35 years, North Shore Girls SC have had a dedicated team of coaches, staff, and volunteers who are passionate about soccer as well as the long-term positive impact of sport. They are committed to the growth and development of girls and women in their community as well as the ongoing soccer legacy on the North Shore.