In my book Heatstroke it is suggested that the athletes have all the power to implement change if they so desire. And if anyone should doubt this very issue they should look no further than what has transpired with the Canadian Women's Soccer Team this past month.
In early February, Carolina Morace, the coach of the Canadian Women's Soccer Team announced that she would be quiting her post following this year's world cup on account of differences with the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA). The differences were never brought public but speculation mentioned that it largely dealt with money. Morace wanted greater control over how the money was spent. Further, she wanted her players to reciece greater compensation for their efforts.
After news of her decision became public, the players in a show of solidarity promised to boycott international competition until the association made a long-term commitment to keep Morace around. The decision quickly made national headlines and put the spotlight on the CSA to take action with the World Cup Tournament only months away.
The CSA took action and on February 26, 2011 some three weeks after the boycott was made public the players announed that they were ending their revolt. According to the players, the CSA was making genuine efforts to address issues with Morace.
And while the threat of a boycott proved that the athletes can initiate change one has to wonder why the players backed down from their stance. Invoking memories from the movie "Field of Dreams" where a voice from a field whispers "Go the distance," this writer asks the same from the soccer team.
After all nothing has really changed. The Morace issue while improving is not resolved and the compensation issue is now going before the courts as the CSA refuses to divulge information about its funding formula for the men's team (the women claim that they are unfarily compensated relative to their male counterparts.)
At a time when the women made a brash move and had the sporting world responding to their requests - proving the influence athletes can have when the join together - it also proved the naivete of our athletes. The women had the power to make real change and challenge the CSA to come clean. If only they showed the strength of their convictions. I Dare to dream
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Return
I thought things might be changing by now. Weren't we told so. Canada's amateur athletes were walking taller than ever following a historic performance at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Things had changed. We weren't just talking the talk but we were now walking the walk. Canada now had am amateur sport system that we should be proud about. At least that is what we were told. And then 2011 hit.
In 2011, former Heritage Minister Bev Oda was found to have altered a document that would have provided $7MM in funding to a Canadian Aid Agency - Kairos - http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/02/20/pol-oda-feb18.html. Sports enthusiasts should follow this story closely as it is the Heritage Ministry who oversees Sports Canada. Who knows what impact Oda had on the sports portfolio she oversaw. We will likely never know but I have questions.
And then there is the latest matter surrounding Soccer Canada. http://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/article/937939--women-s-national-soccer-team-keeps-up-pressure-on-csa. At issue is a discrepancy in funding the two programs get. Players on the woman's national team say that they are not being compensated fairly and threatened to boycott upcoming matches until matters were resolved.
Then there is of course a recent survey examing the activity levels of Canadians. A survey in which Dr. Rosana Pellizari - a medical officer with the City of Peterbrough - described as "shocking". http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2984042. The survey itself found that only 16% of adults and 7% of children and youth meet the mimimum level of activity as deemed necessary by the Canadian Society for Excercise Physiology. This after we have been continously told that improved medal performances will motivate Canadians to get healthy.
After all is said and done maybe things aren't as rosy as we want to believe. I have returned.
In 2011, former Heritage Minister Bev Oda was found to have altered a document that would have provided $7MM in funding to a Canadian Aid Agency - Kairos - http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/02/20/pol-oda-feb18.html. Sports enthusiasts should follow this story closely as it is the Heritage Ministry who oversees Sports Canada. Who knows what impact Oda had on the sports portfolio she oversaw. We will likely never know but I have questions.
And then there is the latest matter surrounding Soccer Canada. http://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/article/937939--women-s-national-soccer-team-keeps-up-pressure-on-csa. At issue is a discrepancy in funding the two programs get. Players on the woman's national team say that they are not being compensated fairly and threatened to boycott upcoming matches until matters were resolved.
Then there is of course a recent survey examing the activity levels of Canadians. A survey in which Dr. Rosana Pellizari - a medical officer with the City of Peterbrough - described as "shocking". http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2984042. The survey itself found that only 16% of adults and 7% of children and youth meet the mimimum level of activity as deemed necessary by the Canadian Society for Excercise Physiology. This after we have been continously told that improved medal performances will motivate Canadians to get healthy.
After all is said and done maybe things aren't as rosy as we want to believe. I have returned.
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