Neil named to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame

Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame has announced that retired soccer star Andrea Neil is one of five new athletes to be inducted later this year as part of the Class of 2011. Neil, hockey’s Raymond Bourque, CFL’s Lui Passaglia, triathlete Peter Reid, Paralympian Lauren Woolstencroft as well as builder Richard Pound complete the six-person induction class that will be celebrated on 8 November 2011.



Vancouver’s Neil was one of Canada’s best female footballers for close to two decades. She represented her country on the international stage from 1991 to 2007, becoming the first Canadian to participate in four FIFA Women’s World Cups. She made 132 appearances, a national record upon her retirement in 2007. She is a four-time CONCACAF silver medalist, a Canada Games champion, a CIAU Gladys Bean champion, a two-time W-League champion, and a Pan American Games bronze medalist.



“When I received the call that I was to be inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, I was surprised and excited,” said Neil. “I felt very honoured to be selected. I’ve always been an avid sports fan, and have enjoyed watching and hearing about our Canadian athletes in various sports over the years. To be included with these 514 great Canadian athletes and builders is truly humbling and gratifying at the same time.”



Neil is the first female footballer inducted to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. She joins former male footballers Dave Turner and Bruce Wilson as well as soccer builders George Anderson and Bill Simpson.



“Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame seeks to recognize and share the stories of the nation’s greatest athletes and builders who have made a significant contribution to sport in this country,” said Buffone-Blair. “These five athletes and one builder have amassed incredible achievement in sport, not only in Canada but around the world. We are thrilled to welcome them into the Hall where their unique stories will continue to serve as an inspiration for Canadian youth to live healthy, active lives and to dream big.”



The class of 2011 will be officially inducted into Canada’s Sport’s Hall of Fame during a gala dinner and celebration in Calgary, November 8 at the Telus Convention Centre. To purchase tickets for the dinner and for more information on the induction ceremony, please visit us at www.sportshall.ca.



Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame is committed to preserve and showcase Canada’s rich sporting history in innovative and meaningful ways; celebrate sport’s contribution to what it means to be Canadian, connect communities from coast-to-coast-to-coast; and inspire new generations of Canadian youth to get involved in sport and dream big. With its roots dating back to 1955, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame is relocating to Calgary from Toronto and will be opening the doors to its new home on 1 July 2011.