HERStory: Women in Sport

FACT: Participation by women in all sports, including soccer, is dwindling. There are many factors like:

Lack of access.
Safety and transportation issues.
Decreased quality of experience.
Cost.
Lack of positive role models.

Foothills is working to reverse that trend! Our female players, coaches, trainers, managers, and staff all play an important role in our success. We are actively involved in a number of initiatives to support all of them.

Our Program Goals:

Attract new and retain existing players.
Grow the Pathway for women in soccer.
Support leadership development and mentorship for your women in the soccer system.

We have many initiatives underway that are starting to make a difference. Just a few are highlighted below. If you want to know more about the Foothills 'HERStory: Women in Sport" initiative, please email Lee Tucker at tucks@gofoothills.ca.

Foothills And The TELUS SHE CAN COACH program

Foothills is proud to be one of the 12 Alberta Clubs chosen to participate in Phase One of the TELUS SHE CAN COACH program.

The program is a national coach recruitment, development, and training project for women to address their soccer participation challenges. Diverse women leaders in sports are critical components in creating a welcoming and safe space for girls. This project strives to support and advance gender equity in soccer by reducing the barriers of entry for women to coach, with the hope that this will increase the registration of women and girls and help to balance the gender gap.

Learn more about the TELUS SHE CAN COACH program.

An Inclusive and Immersive Experience That Cultivates Friendships

There are many reasons to participate in soccer. The life-long friendships you develop are important ones.

Take Mya Jones (left) and Grace Stordy (right).

These two Foothills athletes started their journey together in Foothills Youth Club and went on to play together for Foothills WFC in the United Women's Soccer League.⁠

⁠The pair currently play together on the NCAA University of Memphis Tigers Women's Soccer team. ⁠

Talk about a lifelong friendship!

Foothills Coach Development and Mentoring Program

At Foothills, we have implemented a Coach Development and Mentoring program to help attract female coaches at all levels. One of the program's goals is to build confidence, and it’s working. Jill Jenkinson, one of our female coaches who heads up the WFC 2011 Green team says,

“I played soccer all of my life, but when I decided to coach my daughter’s team, I was not at all confident in my coaching abilities. The Foothills Coach education program gave me the resources and tools I needed to become a more self-assured and informed coach. It has made all the difference.”

Sarah Taylor is a Foundation Phase Manager. She joined Foothills several years ago, playing for our WFC team. After a brief hiatus due to COVID and an injury, she returned to the Club in 2023 as Head Coach of our WFC League1 Alberta squad.

As part of her coach development, Sarah is enrolled in Canada Soccer's B Diploma Program.

Sarah explains, "The B License is an opportunity to develop your ability to meet the demands of coaching youth and senior amateur players in a development environment. The course will be completed around September 2024 (it's a year-long course). My goal is to take the A License next and continue developing myself as a coach." To learn more about becoming a coach, please contact Colin at socceroperations@gofoothills.ca.

Founding Partner of the Drive to a Canadian Professional Women’s Soccer League in 2025

As champions of Canada's “women in soccer” movement, Foothills was the first (and only Alberta-based) Club to join with Diana Matheson and her team at Project 8.

As a founding partner, we are positioned to help ensure the project's success by lending our leadership expertise and relationships at the highest levels of Canadian soccer.

Carla van den Berg: Leading the Way in Female Sports Science

In the world of sports, talent knows no gender. Female athletes are achieving remarkable feats, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in their respective disciplines. However, behind every successful athlete is a dedicated team of professionals who play a crucial role in their development and performance. Meet Carla van den Berg, an exceptional sports science leader who has been making waves as the Assistant Head of Sports Science at Foothills and as the Sports Science Lead for our United Women's Soccer and Women's League1 Alberta teams. Carla's passion and commitment to the world of sports science, especially in catering to the unique needs of female athletes, is truly commendable.

Carla's sports science journey is not confined to the field or the gym. She is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Calgary, focusing on the menstrual cycle in athletes. Carla's research aims to shed light on this complex health process, ultimately benefiting female athletes and the sports community as a whole.

At Foothills, we place high value on recognizing and celebrating the individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that our members perform at their best.

Carla van den Berg's journey from being an integral part of our Club to taking on the role of Sports Science Lead for our women's soccer squads demonstrates her unwavering commitment to advancing female sports. Her pursuit of a PhD in Sports Science is a testament to her dedication to improving the lives of female athletes.

As we continue to witness remarkable achievements in women's sports, people like Carla play a vital role in shaping the game's future. So, next time you see Carla on the field or in the gym, make sure to stop by and say hi – you'll be meeting a true trailblazer in the world of female sports science.

Team Managers: The Glue that Holds Our Teams Together

It is an understatement that a team manager is the glue that holds each team together. Team managers spend countless hours helping their squads have a rewarding soccer experience and successful season, and we support them in many ways. We provide resources to help them learn from each other and share best practices. Improving the training and support we provide our managers is a priority.

Foothills hosts socials for our managers to gather, share ideas, and network. The socials provide an opportunity for each of them to engage with Foothills staff and build relationships.

Why These Events Matter

Strengthening Bonds: Our team managers are an integral piece of each team. This event provides an opportunity to build and strengthen connections.
Cultivating Culture: A strong and positive club culture is vital for our players' growth and development. When our team management comes together, we create an environment that exemplifies our core values of passion, purpose, and professionalism.
Acknowledgment of Effort: Our manager's dedication and commitment does not go unnoticed. These events provide an opportunity for us to express our gratitude for the countless hours invested in shaping our players' experiences on and off the field.
Fun and Relaxation: Our Club's mission is to make soccer a fun and rewarding experience for our players, but also all team members, including our managers.

Foothills WFC's Doctor Rehana Murani Interview with Global Calgary

Back in 2019, former Foothills WFC midfielder and former team Canada member Dr. Rehana Murani was interviewed by Global Calgary. Rehana shared how she balances soccer and residency. When asked what her advice would be regarding balancing elite sport with academics, she said, "Pushing in all aspects of your life is really important... I'd say go for both."

Watch the full clip here.