Grant a week winers: Yellowknife Women's Soccer team

I am pleased to introduce you to an amazing group of young women who are training in the sport of outdoor soccer throughout the Northwest Territories. These girls are working toward competing at the Canada Summer Games, 2001. These athletes come from Yellowknife, Inuvik, Aklavik, Fort Smith and Fort McPherson and range in age from 13 - 19 years. The majority of the girls were introduced to soccer through the indoor game and have since found that the outdoor game is a much better game. We have been training for the past 12 months (even though only 4 of those months are mild enough to play outdoors). From October to early May we practice indoor using outdoor rules. Over the Easter break we travelled to Victoria, British Columbia to train for one week on outdoor fields. We trained and played against teams in Victoria, Sidney, Cowachin and Nanaimo. Though this outdoor game experience was a first for most of the girls, we performed well and had a fabulous time. In order to be competitive in this sport we must have exposure to playing at the competitive level. This is difficult living in the North. Travel to southern Canada is expensive and time consuming. It is an 18-hour drive to Edmonton, which is the city closest to Yellowknife with the cost of a single flight averaging $600.00 (if we are lucky enough to get a seat sale). The majority of this team resides in Yellowknife with the remaining living in the smaller communities throughout the north. Despite the hardships, the girls are passionate and enthusiastic about the game of soccer. In August they plan to represent the Northwest Territories at the 2001 Canada Summer Games.

Lesley Brandford -- Soccer player
"I grew up in Yellowknife and have played soccer all my life. My team is full of heart. Regardless of the hardships and lack of facilities we are all out there playing the game we love. This year I went to University and joined a college soccer team in Lethbridge, Alberta. I hold a lot of have much pride in where I am from and when I walk on the field in Alberta I still wear my NWT colours very close to my heart. This shows that there is exceptional talent in the north that is well hidden. These athletes need the assistance of the community to encourage and aid in flourishing it".

Renee Pitre - Goal Keeper
"Soccer is life for me. For the past 7 years, I have been playing soccer in Yellowknife. To say that I merely love the sport is truly an understatement. We all have the same goal - to represent the Northwest Territories at the Canada Summer Games, and to play well. I don't think I will ever stop playing soccer but I do know that I will not play competitively for the rest of my life. I now have an opportunity to play competitively and for that reason I cannot let myself give it up"

Annya Laurent - Mid Field
"I like the practices because I have improved a lot this year. They also help keep me in shape - both physically and mentally. I feel blessed because I am given the opportunity to be able to play a sport that I love so much. I just love the game of soccer!"

Rebecca Alty - Soccer player
"I was born and raised in Yellowknife and soccer is my life! Soccer is the fastest growing sport in the Northwest Territories, probably because of the magnificent cardiovascular workout, the new friends you make and the self-confidence you gain. It is also a relatively simple sport to learn. A famous philosopher once said 'that it is never too late to learn to play the piano.' This soon to be famous student and athlete says 'that it is never too late to learn to play soccer.'

Ron Stewart - Assistant Coach
"While I am new to Yellowknife, having arrived this past spring, I am not new to coaching or soccer. I feel my strongest assets to the team are experience and a deep passion for the game. With the limitations of northern living, I believe this team has a unique opportunity at their disposal to become part of the greater athletic community of Canada. My coaching experience allows me to help prepare the girls to draw the most from this opportunity. This team has shown great energy and dedication. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time with them and am looking forward to being part of their team at the Summer Games". refereeing, ice costs and program printing.

Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity
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