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Saturday, February 28, 2015

TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay Route Announced, Including More Than 180 Celebrations





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To learn what's happening in your community, visit TORONTO2015.org/torch-relay
TORONTO February 24, 2015 – More than 180 celebrations are set to take place during the 41-day journey of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay, presented by President’s Choice® and OLG.
Canadians can now learn about the torch relay celebrations taking place in their community and mark the date in their calendar. More than 130 Ontario communities and five communities outside of Ontario will have the honour of hosting the Pan Am flame during community celebrations.
As it makes its way to the Opening Ceremony of the Pan Am Games, the torch relay will visit six Canadian Forces Bases, a national and provincial park as well as five First Nations communities, including the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, the official Host First Nation of the Games. The torch relay will also visit five national historic sites, including Fort Henry in Kingston and the Halifax Citadel.

A detailed map is now available online highlighting each community, with the date and location for all of the community celebrations.

“The Games are all about bringing people together, and the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay will unite Ontarians, Canadians and communities,” said Saäd Rafi, chief executive officer of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015). “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people to experience the emotion, excitement and significance of the Pan Am flame.”

The torch relay begins its journey when the Pan Am flame is lit during a traditional Aztec lighting ceremony at the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan, Mexico, before landing in Canada on May 30, 2015. From Toronto, the flame heads to Thunder Bay on May 31 where it will visit the Terry Fox Monument before arriving in Nipigon, the most northern town on the Ontario leg of the journey. The smallest towns the torch will pass through on its journey are Bruce Mines (population 566) and White River (population 607).

On July 1, the torch will take part in Canada Day festivities on Parliament Hill in the nation’s capital — Ottawa — providing a chance to celebrate and share the Pan Am spirit during Canada's biggest birthday party.

Three-thousand torchbearers will carry the flame through communities across Ontario as well as Richmond, BC, Calgary, AB, Winnipeg, MB, Montreal, QC and Halifax, NS. The torch will see more than 60 modes of transportation while touring through Canada and exceed 5,000 kilometres on the road and 15,000 kilometres by air. The torch relay will finish in Toronto on July 10, 2015, to light the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the start of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games.

TO2015 is proud to bring the relay to Canadian communities with the help of presenting partners President’s Choice and OLG, community partner CIBC and signature supporters Ontario Trillium Foundation, Porter Airlines and Star Media Group and Metroland Media to ensure a memorable experience for everyone.

Specific timing for the more than 180 community celebrations will be confirmed beginning in May. The street-level route will also be confirmed in May.

A separate TORONTO 2015 Parapan Am Games Torch Relay will take place prior to the start of the Parapan Am Games on August 7, 2015. Details on the route and torchbearer application process will be released in April.

About the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay
The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay, presented by President’s Choice® and OLG, and supported by community partner CIBC and signature supporters Ontario Trillium Foundation, Porter Airlines and Star Media Group and Metroland Media. The torch relay will invite Canadians to celebrate and share the Pan Am spirit throughout its 41-day journey towards Toronto, the Host City of the Games.

The torch relay starts May 30, 2015, and concludes July 10, 2015, with the dramatic lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony in downtown Toronto.

The TORONTO 2015 Games are funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, as well as Lead Partner CIBC and other partners and sponsors.

For more information, visit TORONTO2015.org/torch-relay.
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For further information, please contact:
Carlene Siopis
Manager, Marketing and Communications
647.206.0259
relaymedia@toronto2015.org
Quote Sheet:

The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport):

“The torch relay will be highlighted by a mosaic of artistic and cultural community celebrations, which our Government is excited to support. Through these celebrations, the relay will showcase our accomplishments, cultural diversity, vast geography and proud history. We encourage Canadians to take part in the celebration in their community and let the flame ignite our spirit for the Games.”

Michael Coteau, Minister Responsible for the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games:

"The Torch Relay will travel from community to community across our great province, providing an incredible opportunity for thousands of Ontarians to participate in the excitement as we host the largest multi-sport Games ever held in Canada. Our government is proud to support these Games and the benefits they bring to our province."
Mayor John Tory, City of Toronto:
"We're thrilled and honoured to welcome the Pan Am flame when the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Torch Relay comes to Toronto, leading up to the Games.  The relay will pass through communities across our great city, highlighting our diverse and vibrant neighbourhoods. I encourage all Torontonians to come out and be part of the excitement. "
Uwe Stueckmann, Senior Vice-President, Marketing, Loblaw Companies Limited:
“President’s Choice is a proud supporter of the Pan Am Games, feeding the thousands of athletes and volunteers as they bring the Games to life this summer. As a presenting sponsor of the torch relay, we understand the importance of making great things accessible to Canadians — from amazing food products, to one-of-a-kind experiences. We are delighted to help bring the torch
relay to our customers and colleagues in communities across the country, and to share the spirit of the 2015 Games.”
Stephen Rigby, President and CEO, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG):
“Supporting the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay is a natural fit for OLG. We have a proud history of championing amateur athletics in Ontario through Quest for Gold. Hosting the nightly celebrations in the many communities in which the torch will visit reflects OLG’s long standing tradition of community involvement and sponsorship of local events and festivals.”
Stephen Forbes, Executive Vice-President, CIBC, the Lead Partner of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games:
“CIBC is thrilled to be a Community Partner of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay, helping ignite pride in our nation through community celebrations.  As the torch passes through CIBC branches along its journey, our employees will help celebrate and capture the spirit and energy of the Games, enabling Canadians to experience something extraordinary."
Chief Bryan LaForme, Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation:
“As Host First Nation for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games it is with great pride and enthusiasm that we, the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation (MNCFN) welcome the Flame to our traditional Territory. We embrace our role of Host and look forward to making many new friendships with visitors, athletes and organizers. We are eager to share the story of our connection to these lands that have sustained us since time immemorial.”

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

THE ROAD TO CANADA 2015 WORLD CUP: Canada WNT announces roster for 2015 Cyprus Women’s Cup






Canada WNT announces roster for 2015 Cyprus Women’s Cup

23 février 2015
The 2015 Cyprus Cup will be the final chance for Canada’s Women’s National Team to experience a tournament environment prior to June’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™.
Head Coach John Herdman has called in 24-players and just like every trip to Cyprus the team has a number of objectives going in. This year, the goal is to develop cohesion and unity that will lead to results when it matters most.
“This Cyprus Cup has a clear outcome and that clear outcome is building that team cohesion similar to what we did in the Four Nations (in China) where we built a depth in the squad,” said Herdman. “In Cyprus, it’s about the cohesion in the group of players to go and win football matches.”
Playing out of Group A, Canada opens the tournament on Wednesday 4 March against Scotland at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia. Two days later they’re back in action against Korea Republic (6 March) at the GSZ Stadium in Larnaca before wrapping up group play on 9 March against Italy back in Nicosia.
Canada has won the tournament three times and will be looking to bring back the championship for the first time since 2011. They’ll also be looking to build on a good start to the year when they won three games in China en route to winning the Bao’an Cup.
“We’ll be only three months out from a World Cup with probably only a few more games after this tournament,” said Herdman. “We’re starting to define the players roles and responsibilities in the team environment and the team culture.”
Depending on their results from group play, Canada would play in a ranking game to wrap up the competition on Wednesday 11 March.
Last year, Canada finished second in Group A and had to play in the fifth-place match where they beat the Republic of Ireland 2:1.
NOTE TO MEDIA: A media call will be organized with Head Coach John Herdman prior to the tournament's first match. Any other media requests can be directed to Carrie Croft (carrie.croft@fwwc2015.ca or 613-406-4986) who will be Press Officer for this camp.
While there are no broadcast or streams planned for these matches, fans will be able to follow Canada’s matches live on Twitter @CanadaSoccerEN and review match reports on canadasoccer.com.
CANADA
GK- Stephanie Labbé | SWE / KIF Örebro
GK- Karina LeBlanc | USA / Chicago Red Stars
GK- Erin McLeod | USA / Houston Dash
D- Kadeisha Buchanan | USA / West Virginia University
D- Allysha Chapman | USA / Houston Dash
D- Robyn Gayle | unattached / sans club
D- Carmelina Moscato | unattached / sans club
D- Marie-Eve Nault | SWE / KIF Örebro
D- Rebecca Quinn | USA / Duke University
D- Rhian Wilkinson | USA / Portland Thorns FC
D- Emily Zurrer | SWE / Jitex BK
M- Kaylyn Kyle | USA / Portland Thorns FC
M- Jonelle Filigno | USA / Sky Blue FC
M- Jessie Fleming | CAN / London NorWest SC
M- Desiree Scott | ENG / Notts County Ladies FC
M- Sophie Schmidt | unattached / sans club
M- Selenia Iachelli | unattached / sans club
M- Ashley Lawrence | USA / West Virginia University
F- Josée Bélanger | CAN / Comètes de Laval
F- Janine Beckie | USA / Texas Tech University
F- Christina Julien | GER / FF USV Jena
F- Adriana Leon | USA / Chicago Stars
F- Christine Sinclair | USA / Portland Thorns FC
F- Melissa Tancredi | USA / Chicago Red Stars

About Canada Soccer

Canada Soccer, in partnership with its membership and its partners, provides leadership in the pursuit of excellence in soccer, both at the national and international levels. Canada Soccer not only strives to lead Canada to victory, but also encourages Canadians to a life-long passion for soccer. For more details on Canada Soccer, visit the official website at canadasoccer.com
For our most recent photographs, please visit our Flickr Photostream.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Women in Sport Conference raises key questions


Women in Sport Conference raises key questions
Published: Monday 23 February 2015, 18.44CET

The first Women in Sport Conference took place in Nyon with the aim of inspiring delegates to take steps in realising the still-untapped full potential of females in the sporting sector.

Women in Sport Conference raises key questions
Karen Espelund speaking at the first Women in Sport Conference in Nyon, Switzerland ©UEFA.com
 

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Published: Monday 23 February 2015, 18.44CET

Women in Sport Conference raises key questions

The first Women in Sport Conference took place in Nyon with the aim of inspiring delegates to take steps in realising the still-untapped full potential of females in the sporting sector.
Over 100 women who are active in sport gathered at UEFA headquarters on 19 February, on the shores of Lake Geneva – home to almost half of all international sports governing bodies – for the first Women in Sport Conference organised by womeninsport.com.
The starting point was the realisation that, despite recent progress, women remain under-represented in the world of sport. Compared with their male counterparts, there are fewer female participants, they earn less as athletes and administrators, and they are less frequently seen on executive boards, while women's sport also receives less media coverage.
"There is absolutely no doubt that women in sport are a force for good. That said, their full potential as a group has yet to be realised. I therefore consider it a privilege to be taking part in this first Women in Sport Conference, the aim of which is to take important steps to maximise that potential," said Karen Espelund, member of the UEFA Executive Committee.
"This event is an opportunity for women from all sectors of the sports industry to share their experiences and ideas, and to become part of a growing network of sports professionals and sport enthusiasts."
In terms of popularity, women's football is one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide. However, in all sports and at all levels – from pitch to boardroom – more women need to carve out a place for themselves before we can talk about gender equality in sport. At present, just 17% of all positions of responsibility in sporting bodies are held by women.
What about women in the Olympics? It was not until London 2012 that a real turning point was reached with regard to participation. For the first time in history, 44% of the athletes were women. According to the International Olympic Committee's Dominique Niyonizigiye, whose programmes include Women and Sport, this marked the start of a new era.
Clara Pietri, a remarkably mature 20-year-old golf champion who is preparing to turn professional, came to Nyon to talk about her career, her passion for golf and what it feels like to be a woman in sport. She believes that, instead of being seen as a negative, the differences between men and women should be cultivated at all levels.
"Physically you can't compare women with men. But this is what makes women's sport so beautiful: what we lack in strength we have to make up for in tactics, skill and creativity."
UN Women's Anna Falth reminded the conference that, far from being a minority in society, women make up half the world's population. And sport should mirror society. There are lots of initiatives popping up in support of women in sport and that can only be a good thing. The conference participants agreed, however, that there is still some way to go in changing mindsets and organisational structures.
For Tatiana Oberson, who founded Women in Sport and organised this first conference, the goal was to further raise the awareness of the 130 participants and hope that they would then question the status quo within their organisations.
For more information on Women in Sport, visit womeninsport.com.
You may also like to explore UN Women's interactive platform for the economic empowerment of women: empowerwomen.org.

UEFA Champions League, Round of 16: Barcelona vs Manchester City the main match; Arsenal and Juventus have key games too


First leg
Dortmund: Weidenfeller, Piszczek, Sokratis, Hummels, Schmelzer, Gündoğan, Nuri Şahin, Mkhitaryan, Reus, Aubameyang, Immobile SUBS Langerak, Ginter, Kehl, Kagawa, Błaszczykowski, Ramos
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