Canadian women return home for March break

Members of Canada’s national women’s team have returned home for a short break following a successful run at the 2011 Cyprus Women’s Cup. The players will have just less than two weeks at their homes before returning to Europe for their next preparatory camp in advance of this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011.



Of note, goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc made a special appearance at the Manitoba Soccer Association Annual Awards Banquet in Winnipeg, MB. She served as a keynote speaker for the event on Saturday 12 March. The following morning, she lent her skills in a Karina LeBlanc Goalkeeping Clinic on Sunday 13 March.



From 15-18 March at the Oakville Soccer Club, six national players offered Player Training Sessions for girls aged 11-14 (from 15-16 March) and girls ages 15-18 (from 17-18 March). The player sessions, which included both on field (morning) and in classroom (for one hour in the afternoon) segments, were led by Diana Matheson, Carmelina Moscato, Melissa Tancredi, Robyn Gayle and Melanie Booth. Special Goalkeeper Training Sessions, led by Erin McLeod, were offered 17-18 March for girls aged 11-18.



Also of note, some players joined up with their professional clubs for pre-season training before the 2011 Women’s Professional Soccer season. One such player was Christine Sinclair, who moved into her new digs in Buffalo, NY where she will join the expansion Western New York Flash after this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany.



Canada’s national women’s team, whose title sponsor is Winners and presenting sponsor is Teck, will be taking part in its fifth-consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup this 26 June to 17 July in Germany. Canada opens the tournament with group matches against Germany, France and Nigeria. After 2011, Canada will then host the next FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015.