The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) women’s championships are coming to Langley in late June, the first time the event will ever be held in North America.
The world championships started in 2010 in Sweden. The 2013 games were in Finland. Canada took silver at both those events.
Now people can see women’s tackle football at McLeod Athletic Park on June 24, 27 and 30.
The B.C. was selected due to the number of potential fields that are set up for American rules which are the rules for International play as well as the hope to spark female participation in the province currently the Western Women’s Canadian Football League is running in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba and would be great if a division could start in B.C., explained Shannon Donovan, the executive director of Football Canada.
“Langley was selected for the venue that McLeod field offers, size is perfect to provide a great atmosphere during the games, nice field, warm up fields, locker rooms, practice field within Langley, and overall a great size town for this event. The British Columbia Provincial Football Association has a great group of local volunteers that was able to help with the event,” she added.
Australia will make its competition debut against Canada on June 24.
The United States will be going after its third IFAF title. Their opening tilt is against Mexico.
Also on June 24, Finland takes on Great Britain a replay of the 2015 European championship. Finland placed third in 201 and 2013.
Great Britain is making its Women’s World Championship debut in Langley.
Games are at 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on each of the three game days. The championship will be decided in the 7:30 p.m. game on June 30.
“I’ve previously had the chance to represent Canada at international competitions and I can tell you that it’s always a special feeling,” said national team head coach Jeff Yausie. “This summer will be even more special for our team as they’ll get the chance to represent Canada on home soil for the first time. Based on what we saw at the inaugural Women’s National Championship this past summer in Regina combined with our recent selection camps our Canadian national team will be younger, stronger and faster which should help us close the gap against Team USA. We’ll come together as a team in June for training camp as we prepare to represent Canada proudly in Langley.”
Tournament passes are available at $50 for adults and $35 for youth and seniors. Single game day tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for youth as well as seniors.
The event will be hosted by Football Canada in partnership with the British Columbia Provincial Football Association (BCPFA).
“Hosting the Women’s World Championships is a great honour. To do so during Canada’s 150 birthday is a tremendous way to celebrate our nation’s long football history as well as to promote the growth of women’s tackle football in Canada. I look forward to cheering Canada on alongside a loud and proud hometown crowd this summer,” said Kim Wudrick, the president of Football Canada.
Learn more footballcanada.com.
“It’s really exciting to bring the Women’s World Championship to the province of British Columbia. The venue is a great one which hosted events like the Canadian Bowl in the past and has the advantage of being able to accommodate the international field dimensions, said BCPFA president Frank Naso. “We look forward to welcoming participating nations from around the world to Langley this summer and hope that a large contingent comes out to support Team Canada.”