As tickets for the Women’s World Cup in Canada went on sale last week, soccer enthusiasts may be reminded of the Canadian team’s bronze medal match at the London 2012 Olympics – or perhaps even more, their vigour in the whirlwind semi-final against the U.S.
The team lost their chance at gold by one goal in that game, but in the end walked away with bronze around their necks.
For most soccer players and viewers in the country, watching the women receive their medals was a validating moment. It showed us not only that Canada has a presence in soccer, but that there is a strong female presence.
However, soccer associations such as FIFA need to do more to help elevate women’s teams to the same level as the men’s in order to encourage future generations of players.
The proposal to have the women’s teams play on artificial turf in 2015 has caused a backlash and potential lawsuit from several players, as it should.
The women shouldn’t be forced to play on a surface that can cause injuries and prevent them from playing their best, while the men’s teams have played their way through numerous World Cups on real grass.
Women’s soccer news site The Equalizer obtained the letter sent by some of the international players’ lawyers to FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association.
The letter argues the proposal to play on artificial turf is discriminatory and “several international players – male and female – say it’s like playing on concrete.”
Aside from the fact teams face a different game altogether if they have to play on artificial turf, it’s the message this sends to young soccer players that has the worst, most lasting effect – that women’s sports are not as important.
According to a study published by advocacy group Canadian Sport for Life, there are several gender-specific barriers that prevent young women’s participation in sports.
The reasons range from physical ability to psychological factors such as low self-esteem, poor body image, and fear.
Not surprising, then, that the Women’s World Cup has spawned efforts to attract girls to the sport and keep them involved into adulthood.
The Eastern Ontario District Soccer Association has created a women’s committee to increase the number of girls playing soccer by the time the FIFA tournament kicks off in June 2015 with some games being played at Lansdowne Park.
The association aims to improve retention rates of girls playing soccer over the age of 15, and to get more women involved in coaching, refereeing, and soccer boards.
This is a great step to help get more girls to the registration tables during soccer season. In fact, thanks to fields with artificial turf, recreational play during the winter months is made possible.
But in the context of high-level soccer, artificial turf is unacceptable and interferes with the game.
Just imagine what the Men’s World Cup would have looked like if they’d played on artificial turf: more scraped legs and far less diving for the ball.
The problem lies with FIFA’s decision to give men’s national teams the prime resources to play the game and not give the women the same.
That tells young girls who idolize the game and the Christine Sinclairs that they, too, are not deserving of the grass the men play on.
It’s the same game. If men don’t have to play on artificial turf, neither should women.