The Canada Women’s Soccer Alumni Association stands in solidarity with the Canadian Women’s National Soccer team (CWNT) and their ongoing frustrations with Canada Soccer (CS) regarding insufficient funding, equal pay and lack of financial transparency.

Unfortunately, the current conflict between CWNT and CS is nothing new and is the result of a toxic, dishonest and broken system that has gone unchecked for the past 30 years. Because of this, players have suffered retribution, staff have been silenced by non-disclosure agreements all because they had the courage to speak up and ask CS questions regarding financial concerns and organization irregularities.

“We have seen with Hockey Canada, a lack of safety and transparency around funding are not two distinct problems. They reflect leadership that has lost its moorings. These issues combine and intersect to impede the development of young people who deserve to be striving and thriving through their sport.” – Andrea Neil (Soccer Alumni), recent testimony at the Standing Committee on the Status of Women and Girls in Sport. View full testimony here: https://youtu.be/UhKgSZqOxBs

Players and staff must be protected and feel safe to speak out. It is because of this environment that the Alumni are deeply concerned for the overall safety of our current players, and we’re pleased to hear that the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage is planning on having Canada Soccer Executives, Board Members and players testify as early as March. We would also encourage the committee to include past players so that they can fully understand the extent of this abuse of power, systemic misogyny and complete lack of accountability.

For further information, please contact:

Helen Stoumbos
Co-Chair, Canada Women’s Soccer Alumni Association
519.820.5279
info@canadawomenssoccer.com