U17 Women Open Laval Camp

Canada opens first U17 camp under coach Bridge
The Canadian women’s U17 team has opened its camp in Laval, QC. Head Coach Ian Bridge has selected 25 players for the 9 day camp that will help begin Canada ’s preparations for the 2010 CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship next March.

“From what I have seen in my scouting for the past ten months, this is a talented group of young soccer players,” said coach Bridge.

“The group, however, certainly lacks international experience. Only two players in the squad, Diamond Simpson and injured goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo were on Canada ’s team at last year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup New Zealand 2008.”

This will be the first women’s U17 camp organized for this age group. In 2009 Coach Bridge has watched and scouted thousands of players across the country. In particular at the 2009 BMO National Championships Nutrilite All Stars in Laval , QC (July), the 2009 Canada Games Women’s Soccer Tournament in Summerside, PE (August), the 2009 BMO National Championships adidas U-16 Cup in Winnipeg, MB (October), and through the National Training Centres (January – October).

“We must very quickly become a team both on and off the field,” said Bridge. This is the primary goal for the camp.

“On the field, we must learn our roles and responsibilities and perform them at a high level. I will demand high intensity training, high quality technique, high levels of mental and tactical concentration every minute we are on the training field.”

Canada, whose title sponsor is BMO Financial Group, is working towards the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Trinidad & Tobago 2010. The team will feature players born in 1993 or later. To qualify for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, Canada must finish amongst the top-two teams at the CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship in March 2010. Canada won bronze at the last CONCACAF tournament in 2008 before reaching the quarter-final stage at the inaugural FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup New Zealand 2008.