Photo Opportunity - Canada's Women's National Soccer Team Kicks it Up for Girls' Rights with Toronto Girls Soccer Team

TORONTO, May 30, 2012 /CNW/ - Leading up to their games at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, members of Canada's Women's National Soccer Team will be in Toronto to meet with the North Toronto Nitros, a local girls soccer team, to show their support for girls sports in Canada and also for girls' rights around the world. The teams will hold a fun practice while wearing Because I am a Girl pink headbands and shoelaces to demonstrate their support for girl empowerment and potential.

Canada's Women's National Soccer Team players and the North Toronto Nitros are supporters of Plan Canada's Because I am a Girl initiative, a global initiative to end gender inequality, promote girls' rights and lift millions of girls and everyone around them out of poverty. Proceeds raised from the sales of headbands and shoelaces will support equal access to sports programs for young girls in Colombia.

We invite you to join us for a photo opportunity with both teams this Friday.

WHO:	● Members of Canada's Women's National Soccer Team: Robyn Gayle (defender), Diana Matheson (midfielder), Melanie Booth (defender), Kaylyn Kyle (midfielder), Chelsea Buckland (forward), Jonelle Filigno (forward), Carmelina Moscato (midfielder) and Rhian Wilkinson (defender)
	● U13 North Toronto Nitros girls soccer team and coach
	● Leanne Nicolle, Director of Community Engagement and Corporate Partnerships, Plan Canada
WHAT:	● Photo Opportunity #1: Members of Canada's Women's National Soccer Team providing unique techniques to the North Toronto Nitros; both teams practice drills together while wearing Because I am a Girl pink headbands and shoelaces.
	● Photo Opportunity #2: Group photo of Canada's Women's National Soccer Team members and the North Toronto Nitros wearing Because I am a Girl pink headbands and shoelaces.
WHEN:	Friday, June 1, 2012 (rain or shine) ● Media call: 9:45 a.m. ● Photo Opportunities: 10:00 - 10:20 a.m. ● Q and A with both team members: 10:20 - 10:30 a.m.
WHERE:	Media call room: Del Heritage House Photo Op location: De La Salle College "Oaklands" field 131 Farnham Avenue (at Avenue and St. Clair) Toronto, Ontario M4V 1H7 Parking available on site. Plan staff will greet and direct media at entrances. Note: In event of heavy rains, photo opportunities may take place at Del Heritage House.

About Plan and the 'Because I am a Girl' Initiative

Founded in 1937, Plan is one of the world's oldest and largest international development agencies, working in partnership with millions of people around the world to end global poverty. Not for profit, independent and inclusive of all faiths and cultures, Plan has only one agenda: to improve the lives of children. Because I am a Girl is Plan's global initiative to end gender inequality, promote girls' rights and lift millions of girls - and everyone around them - out of poverty. Visit www.plancanada.ca and www.becauseiamagirl.ca for more information.

About Canada's Women's National Team

So far in 2012, Canada's Women's National Team has posted an international record of eight wins and three losses. Canada finished second at both the CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying tournament and Cyprus Women's Cup. Canada will participate in the London 2012 Women's Olympic Football Tournament from 25 July to 9 August. This will mark Canada's second participation in the Women's Olympic Football Tournament, following a quarter-final finish at Beijing 2008.

 

Media Contacts:

Abigail Brown, Media and Public Relations Manager, Plan Canada
T: 416 920 1654 ext 277  |  C: 647 971 3764  |  [email protected]