Whitecaps Foundation promoting women's soccer
October 6, 2009 From Sounding Board - the Official Newspaper of the Vancouver Board of Trade
The Whitecaps Foundation was publicly launched in 2008 to help create the fittest generation of BC youth by 2020. A priority of the foundation is to ensure that there is support for women's soccer throughout the province. One of the best ways to do this is by offering strong role models.
We know that there is a strong correlation between inspirational role models and engagement by aspiring youth, regardless of the genre. It could be sport entertainment, arts and culture or business, but having mentors and a development pathway is critical to success
Andrea Neil, one of Canada's best known female athletes, grew up admiring male athletes like Michael Jordan. In order to ensure that the Whitecaps Foundation achieves its mission, we need today's aspiring girls to look up to Andrea and other female athletes. The healthy living habits and commitment to fitness they develop now will carry through their lives, leading to long-term, positive outcomes.
This was the thinking of Vancouver Board of Trade chair Sue Paish and director Evi Mustel when they approached the Whitecaps in 2007 to discuss the possibility of developing some programming specific to women. After working through some scenarios, the Net Works Cabinet was formed. Members of the Net Works Cabinet help to raise the profile of, and raise funds for, the development of women's soccer.
BC Hydro's Bob Elton and Sue Paish co-chair the committee, which also includes Evi Mustel, Tina Osen (HUB International Insurance), Gordon Harris (SFU Community Trust), David Bentall (Next Steps Advisors), Pat Bjerrisgaard (SAP) and Brad Sakich (PriceWaterhouseCoopers).
This year, Net Works raised over $40,000 for community-based programming, with event such as the Whitecaps Women's Summer Soccer Series presented by BC Hydro. The soccer series was a phenomenal success and brought the Whitecaps women to capacity crowds in New Westminster and Coquitlam for two W-League regular season games. The soccer series was the marquee element in a new partnership between the Whitecaps and the Girls Metro Soccer League, aimed specifically at encouraging girls to play soccer and develop healthy habits and leadership skills on and off the pitch. Other elements of the partnership include a weekend-long girls-only soccer camp and community events featuring Whitecaps women.
The support of the Net Works Cabinet and the generosity of donors made this first year a great success for the Whitecaps Foundation which is currently planning for next year and will introduce new programming elements in the coming months.
For more information about Net Works or to donate to the foundation, visit www.whitecapsfoundation.org/priorities/women.
