An Okotoks soccer player got a kick-start to her morning last week.
There was absolutely no way 18-year-old Emma Uhlenberg was going to miss the Canadian women’s soccer team’s bronze medal match against France at the 30th Summer Olympic Games in London on Aug. 9 even if there was an eight-hour time difference.
“I was up at 6:45 a.m. to watch it — usually I get up around 10 a.m.,” said Uhlenberg, a member of the 2011 Foothills Composite Falcons championship team. “I have been following the women’s team throughout the Olympics. There was no way I was going to miss it.”
It was worth losing a few hours sleep when Canada took the bronze.
Uhlenberg said Canada’s 1-0 victory over France will promote the game she loves across the country.
“I think through the Olympics, Canadian women’s soccer has gotten so much attention from all over Canada and the world,” Uhlenberg said. “Girls in Canada can realize they can pursue their dreams in soccer.”
Peter Mundy, the vice-president of the Okotoks Minor Soccer Association, said registration for girl’s soccer has always been strong. It can only improve with all the attention the Canadian women’s soccer team has received.
“It can only have a positive effect,” Mundy said. “I think it has gained a lot more interest than there was before.”
With Canada hosting the Women’s World Cup in 2015, it should only further enhance the popularity of the beautiful game in Okotoks and across the country.
“You got what happened in the Olympics and the game will become even more of a focus with the World Cup coming,” he said.
Darcy Criddle, 36, of Okotoks grew up playing girls soccer and is now a member of the Okotoks women’s over 35 team.
“Getting the bronze medal is going to show girls that soccer is a sport that they can go far in — it’s not just for recreation,” she said. “They can put their heart and soul in it and go as far as they want.”
She agreed the bronze medal will promote the game in Canada.
“It is putting women in the limelight instead of just showing up the men,” Criddle said.
She agreed the Olympic win will help girls and women’s soccer in Okotoks. However, the key is to ensure girls who grew up in the game continue to play during their teen years.
“The goal is to keep girls playing throughout their teens,” Criddle said. “During those teen years you want to make sure soccer is a positive impact on the girls so they continue to play as adults.”
She said she believed the effort of the 2012 Canadian Olympic team will inspire soccer players regardless of their gender.
“It really showed a lot of character for the women — they were beaten on the field (Thursday) after a hard game on Monday (a 4-3 controversial loss to the USA),” Criddle said. “France hit a sidebar and a crossbar, something kept the ball out of the net. You just have to keep working and things can go your way.
“I think the Canadians showed that and that’s a great message for anybody.”
Okotoks Minor Soccer Association will learn quickly what impact Canada’s bronze medal performance will have on registration.
The OMSA indoor soccer season registration starts at 10 a.m. on Aug. 17. Registration is online at www.okotoksminorsoccer.com
