PanCan Team wins women’s soccer gold

The Pan-Canadian team has won gold in the first-ever women’s soccer tournament at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games.

Even more amazing: this tournament is only their fourth time playing together, and just their second tournament.

Made up of players from multiple provinces, the Pan-Canadian side beat British Columbia’s Coastal Crush 3-0 Saturday at Big Marble Go Centre in Medicine Hat. The team went 6-0 for the week, outscoring opposition 46-0.

Coach Amélie Côté shares the challenges of working with a team that crosses provincial boundaries.

“It was hard because we cannot do practice every week like we wanted to do,” said Côté. “But we do Zoom meetings and we call each other a lot, so I think the chemistry was there… I think here, everybody just wanted to have fun and play with each other. It’s like a big family now.”

A family that wins gold. Their future plans?

“Maybe worlds? I hope so!”

Best wishes for these women as they bravely represent the spirit of unity in Canada at future tournaments.

— story by Roz Hirch, Special Olympics Canada Summer Games