View from the Cheap Seats is kind of an extension of the newsroom. Whenever our three regular reporters, Calvin Daniels, Thom Barker and Randy Brenzen are in the building together, it is frequently a site of heated debate. This week: Is hosting the Women’s World Cup of Soccer good for Canada.
North Americans can like it or lump it, but the most important sport in the world is soccer. It is the undisputed most popular sport in the world. And, even though hockey is still king domestically, we are the only country in the world where that is true.
Even the ridiculously scandal-plagued governing body of the sport, FIFA, cannot dampen enthusiasm for the “beautiful game.”
Even in hockey-crazed Canada, more children now play soccer. And, by the way, more youth in Toronto are now playing the world’s second most popular sport, cricket, than our second in line, football.
The world is coming to Canada and it is bringing its preferences with it. Global sports are overtaking our domestic ones. I am not making any value judgements. In general, I personally like watching hockey better than I do soccer. On the other hand, I would turn off Game 7 of the Stanley Cup for India Premier League cricket.
The Roughriders are still my number one, though, don’t worry about that.
I guess the point is, with respect to sports, as a country we are joining the global village.
But is soccer actually popular in all of Canada or just a few major cosmopolitan centres such as Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, which have pro teams? I’d have to say yes. The opening game of the Women’s World Cup between Canada and China drew more than 53,000 fans to Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium, the biggest crowd ever to turn out for a Canadian national team in any sport. That’s right, in any sport.
And if you’ve ever been to the Gallagher Centre during the city’s registration nights, while every other sport, art, activity and service group entertains sporadic visits by curious parties, the Yorkton United Football Club grapples with endless lineups.
Soccer critics dismiss the phenomenon on the basis that soccer is, of course, the most popular sport because all you need is a ball to play it. Inclusiveness is a criticism I quickly dismiss. It is not a weakness, it is a strength.
Is it good for Canada to host the Women’s World Cup of Football? Hell yes. And our girls are actually contenders. The way things are going, maybe our men will someday catch up as well. Sorry Calvin, prepare to be bored.
—Thom Barker
Canada is currently hosting the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
And that leaves the question of its impact in a country where soccer has not held the profile it does in other countries?
On a personal level I’ll admit I will spend more time writing this, unless Canada manages to make the final four, at which time curiosity would dictate I keep an eye on the games.
While I appreciate the game’s popularity worldwide, it makes sense since the game can be played with only a ball, and some space, meaning anyone can participate from the rich of Vancouver to the poorest in villages anywhere in the world.
But Canada’s first game in the World Cup exemplified what I dislike about the game. It was 90-plus minutes without a goal, and then determined on a penalty kick which is all but an assured goal in soccer (near 75 per cent in World Cup history).
That said the FIFA World Cup is a huge event for Canada to host. It puts our country a truly world stage, realistically only exceeded by past Olympics held here. That is a huge positive.
In terms of soccer in Canada it will raise awareness, and hopefully get more young people playing the game. I myself would chose alternate sports, almost any other sport, but I am also supportive of anything that gets people away from video games and cellphones long enough to participate in a sport. This event could help that happen, which again is a major positive.
—- Calvin Daniels
The Women’s World Cup is taking place in Canada all over this great nation with the exception of Toronto (thankfully) with games being played in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal and Moncton.
But does it really matter to the majority of Canada, or is it on a smaller scale like watching women’s hockey - entertaining, but midget ‘AAA’ level without the physicality?
Honestly I feel as if it’s too early to determine whether or not the Women’s World Cup will be important to Canada in the long run. Sure, it has people talking about soccer right now, but will it be a source of conversation a week, two weeks after it’s over and done with?
That really all depends on how the Canadian women do. If they make a long run through the tournament and reach the semi-finals or even finals then yes, it’ll be important to Canada.
If they get knocked out in the first round of the knockout stages then no, it won’t be significant or important to Canada.
The team needs to find success for this tournament to help soccer within the country.
But if they continue to play the way they have been through their first three games – and hopefully they don’t – then no, it won’t be important to Canada.
—Randy Brenzen
