Ottawa dedicating a day to girls’ soccer as it prepares to host championship

Whereas Girls Soccer Day in Ottawa encourages families, schools, and community sports organizations to support women's soccer and create more pathways for girls in sport. Mayor Mark Sutcliffe declaring November 14th Girls Soccer Day in Ottawa. It comes as the Northern Super League is hosting the championship in the nation's capital that same day, whether the Ottawa Rapid make it or not. We've hosted... Um, major soccer events, major hockey events, other sports as well. Uh, you know, the Ironman, the World Juniors. So this is another opportunity to show that we're a great place to host sports, especially women's sports at a time when soccer is growing and when women's sports are growing as well. Since the league is only two years old, this will mark the first time Ottawa will host the final. While this is a celebration for our top champion, uh, at the, at the end of our season, And this is also a celebration for the. The movement that's happening around women's sports, so Ottawa was a perfect place and a perfect time to do this. The league selects a host venue each year before it knows who's playing in the final. President Christina Litt says most teams don't have their own stadium, so this way they can plan ahead and market the big day. She also says they want the final to be a celebration of soccer as a whole. No matter who's playing. While it may take time to build this tradition, we already saw a great indication of the ability to be successful and have people travel from across the country to come out, regardless of who's in the match. Ottawa's own Kira Mellenhorst is hopeful it's her squad on that big stage in front of home fans. But more importantly, that having the game in Ottawa inspires the younger generation. I think it's amazing. I think the more Like visibility and recognition that soccer can get in this city to hopefully inspire more girls to play and see the opportunities that can come. I mean, I was a young girl growing up here in Ottawa and I hope they can see my path to get to playing professionally and playing for Ottawa. The Rapids play the second leg of their semifinal series Saturday at TD Place. It's a must win if they want a shot at appearing in the final. Emma Weller, CBC News, Ottawa.