| The Canadian women's soccer team's fourth-place finish at the World Cup ranks as one of the sporting accomplishments of the year. What these women achieved is unbelievably and absolutely fabulous.
As Robin Slot, head coach of the University of Calgary women's soccer team says: "I think (they've) exceeded their expectations for sure. They've had a good run."
Because of the tournament's draw and the crossover format of the playoffs, he's not entirely convinced the squad is a top-four team. True enough, but as he admits, the Canadian women improved each game, just as top-notch teams should.
Yet, despite the team's stunning achievement, there is little coverage in the sports pages of Canadian newspapers. Sure, there were a few good articles lauding the team's accomplishments after a quarter-final win over China and a semi-final loss to Sweden, but this is a world championship. In the six days between the loss to Sweden and the loss to the U.S. in the match for third place, the club received paltry coverage.
Yes, one could argue the team really only beat one "true" contender for the World Cup. That point of view, however, does nothing but belittle the talent of the Canadian squad and its other opponents.
So what do we get stuck with instead of story after story about this soccer team, its players, their coaches and the Canadian development system? We get inundated with the unfortunate and tragic story of a local kid who made a bad decision that will haunt him and his sporting career forever.
Now, maybe the lack of coverage can be explained, in part, by the fact the women play soccer and not hockey. More likely, the sporadic coverage stems from the fact it's a women's team having the success.
Don't forget, this is also the first Canadian soccer team to ever win a game at a World Cup.
Even in this day and age, the sports pages of daily papers remain a barrier to women, especially the front page. Just like Beckie Scott's earning Canada's first-ever medal in cross-country skiing at the Salt Lake Winter Olympics, or Clara Hughes winning a medal in the summer and winter Olympics, the achievements of the women's soccer team will not get due recognition.
Instead, we'll read over and over again about another boring NHL regular season game, an even more boring playoff baseball game, or about some guy's contract squabble with team owners.
This contradiction brings pause for thought. How many "first-evers" have Canadian men or men's teams achieved lately?
I'm still thinking.
SIDELINES
True CFL football fans know that sometimes the best part of the game takes place on the sidelines or in the stands.
The Stampeders' October 3 game against Hamilton – easily the worst team to take to the field in many years – provided a great example of both. With time dwindling in the last quarter, Hamilton needed another player on the field. A quick look to the sidelines showed the team was hard at working getting somebody ready. Three players and two training staff struggled for what seemed like minutes to accomplish the amazing task of pulling on a team member's sweater.
As the Tiger-Cats struggled with this difficult task, the crowd jumped in on the action, showing great support for the visitors with chants like: "You can do it." The cheering continued as the player finally made his way on the field to essentially do nothing in the remaining seconds of the game as his team was slaughtered yet again.
Who says a game between two last-place teams can't be entertaining? |
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