CBC has declared June 20th Soccer Day in Canada

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The Good Old Soccer Game

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The Canadian Broadcasting Coropration has declared June 20th Soccer Day in Canada.  As such soccer events are planned all over Canada and the CBCs airwaves will be inundated with soccer features and games.  For more details www.cbc.ca/sports can be viewed.  The CBC has a similar Day for hockey during the winter months.

Traditionally Canada is a nation that is crazy about Ice Hockey.  Canadian kids for decades have looked up to their hockey heroes such as Wayne Gretsky, Messier, LaFleur, Henri Richard and Bobby Orr.

Stomping Tom Connors, a Canadian artist from Prince Edward Island, made the Hockey Song a fixture in Canadian music.

Despite our fanantic attraction to hockey, Canada is more than hockey.  In fact, contrary to popular opinion, LaCrosse is our National game.  We also have the Canadian Football League.  Toronto has the Blue Jays in Baseball and Canadian kids have been drawn to soccer in unprecedented numbers.

The Toronto FC and Vancouver White Caps are probably our best known Soccer Clubs.  Vancouver Island has a very competitive first Division Soccer league.  Toronto FC won the Canadian Championship yesterday by defeating the Montreal Impact 6-1.

Over the years Canada has produced some talents that have competed in the top flights of both England and Germany.

In the 80s this author was priviledged to manage, coach and play for a Canadian select team in Europe.  Our side was very competitive against Third Division teams as well as against German Army select teams.  

The demographic in Canada has changed over the past two decades and soccer has become the most popular sport amongst kids.  Part of this is due to the cost of playing soccer as compared to ice hockey. 

Except for Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland in BC, the soccer season is short in Canada due to climate.  Many communities have created indoor facilities for the winter months and the game continues to grow.

Thank you to the CBC for promoting the grand old game.