The 2009 PEI Canada Games Women's Soccer Team returned recently from a tour of England where they participated in two professional training sessions and played against the Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Everton Ladies Soccer teams.
The week-long visit to Liverpool, England, June 25 to July 2, 2008, was part of the PEI Women's Soccer Team Canada Games training and included tours of Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea FC; the Old Trafford, home of Manchester United; and Reebok Stadium, home of the Bolton Wanderers.
“I am very happy that the PEI Women's Soccer Canada Games Team could take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to travel to England,” said Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour Minister Carolyn Bertram. “They were able to participate in training to enhance their skills, visit stadiums where world-class soccer is played and play against teams in both England and Wales. This experience is sure to help them as they continue to train for the 2009 Games here in Prince Edward Island.”
One souvenir the team brought home was a pink soccer ball autographed by the Liverpool Ladies Soccer Team. In appreciation for government's support of the trip, Team PEI members presented the autographed soccer ball, along with a team photo, to Minister Bertram during a practice session at the UPEI turf field earlier this week.
The PEI Canada Games Women's Soccer Team received support from the provincial government Canada Games Best Ever program. The 2009 Canada Summer Games will be hosted on Prince Edward Island from August 15 to 29, 2009.
A Canada Games pre-competition tournament for both men's and women's soccer will be held in Montague and Charlottetown, August 8 to 10, 2008. The Prince Edward Island teams will be hosting New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Saskatchewan. For more information, contact Kaye Kelly at 629-7486.
BACKGROUNDER:
The Best Ever Program is a five-year funding program to support teams’ and sports’ preparations for the 2009 Canada Summer Games. Teams preparing to participate in the 2009 Canada Summer Games are eligible to apply for funding for operation/administration, athletes/team development, travel, sport science, coaching certification and excellence initiatives.
The Best Ever Program also provides funding to 2009 sports organizations hosting pre-game test events, and supports the training for major and minor officials who will work during the Games. The program is managed by the Best Ever High Performance Committee, chaired by Alan MacAdam.
For more information on the PEI Women's Soccer Team trip to England, go to peiwomenssoccer.blogspot.com or contact Kaye Kelly at 629-7486.