TORONTO, CN — Canada Soccer launched a comprehensive new initiative Thursday aimed at addressing the stark gender disparities that persist in the nation’s most popular sport, unveiling the “Close the Gap” strategy designed to increase participation, leadership opportunities, and visibility for women and girls across Canadian soccer.
The ambitious framework comes as sobering statistics reveal the scope of the challenge: despite soccer being the most played sport in Canada, only one in three players is a girl, and just 23% of referees are women. Perhaps most alarming, nearly one million Canadian girls are not participating in any sport—a figure that climbs to five in ten by age 16.
Five-Pillar Framework Targets Systemic Change
The “Close the Gap” strategy centers on five interconnected pillars designed to create measurable progress at every level of the game:
Grassroots/Participation focuses on increasing engagement of girls and women through innovative, accessible programs that reduce barriers to entry and ensure long-term involvement in the sport.
Women in Roles aims to expand quality leadership opportunities by dismantling barriers and promoting career development pathways for women in coaching, administration, and governance positions.
Marketing and Communications will highlight achievements of women and girls in soccer, promote gender equity, and engage diverse audiences across multiple platforms.
Governance & Transparency implements accountability measures and transparent practices to build trust and drive progress in advancing women’s involvement.
Performance targets improvement in the overall development of women players, coaches, and referees through enhanced training and support systems.
Canada Soccer’s “Close the Gap” campaign highlights the fearless spirit of young girls in soccer. The initiative aims to address the gender disparity where only one in three players are girls, working to create more equitable opportunities for women and girls across Canadian soccer. Credit: Canada Soccer A young Canadian soccer player celebrates during a match, embodying the spirit of Canada Soccer’s “Close the Gap” initiative. The campaign works to ensure every girl has the opportunity to play, lead, and belong in soccer, addressing the alarming statistic that five in ten girls drop out of sports by age 16. Credit: Canada Soccer A female soccer referee represents leadership in the game as part of Canada Soccer’s “Close the Gap” strategy. With only 23% of referees being women, the campaign aims to increase quality opportunities for women in leadership roles across Canadian soccer. Credit: Canada Soccer
Leadership Commits to Cultural Transformation
Sara McConaughy, Director of Community Development at Canada Soccer, emphasized that the initiative extends beyond statistics to fundamental cultural change.
“This isn’t just about numbers — it’s about building a more inclusive, equitable, and lasting soccer culture in Canada. By closing the gap, we’re unlocking the full potential of the sport and ensuring every girl and woman has a place — on the pitch, in leadership, and in shaping the future of soccer,” McConaughy said.
Erin Crowe, Chief Operating and Financial Officer at Canada Soccer, framed the strategy as a pivotal moment for the sport’s future in Canada.
“We’re excited to launch our Women and Girls strategy, which is a critical step towards building a future where every woman and girl in Canada has the power to shape the game and thrive within it,” Crowe stated.
Proven Programs Provide Blueprint for Success
The strategy builds on existing successful initiatives that have already demonstrated impact. Programs such as TELUS She CAN Coach and AccelerateHER have empowered women coaches and leaders across Canada, creating pathways and reducing barriers to advancement.
Emily Porteous, a coach at Richmond Hill Soccer Club and participant in both the 2025-26 AccelerateHER program and TELUS She CAN Coach initiative, offered a ground-level perspective on the transformative power of such programs.
“As a younger coach, programs like AccelerateHER have changed what’s possible for me. They’ve connected me with women who are so beyond brilliant — role models and leaders I might never have met otherwise. TELUS She CAN Coach has allowed me to build that same sense of community in my own club, where women lift each other up and younger players can see a future for themselves in the game. This is what closing the gap truly means — creating pathways, visibility, and belonging for every woman and girl in soccer. I’m honoured to be part of that movement,”Porteous explained.
Urgent Need Drives Comprehensive Response
The strategy responds to a critical juncture for women’s sports participation in Canada. Research shows that girls’ dropout rates from sports accelerate dramatically during adolescence, with systemic barriers including lack of role models, limited leadership visibility, and insufficient pathways for advancement contributing to the exodus.
The gender disparity in soccer leadership roles—with women comprising less than a quarter of referees—reflects broader challenges in creating inclusive environments where women and girls see themselves represented in positions of authority and influence.
Canada Soccer’s initiative aims to address these interconnected challenges through coordinated action across all levels of the sport, from grassroots community programs to elite performance pathways.
Call for Collective Action
The organization emphasized that progress depends on engagement from the entire soccer community, including clubs, coaches, fans, and community leaders.
By championing women and girls, amplifying their stories, and creating more equitable opportunities both on and off the field, Canada Soccer believes the sport can truly reflect the diversity and potential of all who play it.
The strategy marks a formal commitment to systemic change, but leadership acknowledges that meaningful progress requires sustained collective effort. The goal is to build a system where every woman and girl feels seen, supported, and inspired to remain in the game—whether as players, coaches, referees, or administrators.
Transparency and Accountability
Canada Soccer has committed to transparent reporting on progress toward the strategy’s goals, with measurable benchmarks designed to track advancement across all five pillars.
The organization invites stakeholders to access the full Women and Girls Strategy and learn more about “Close the Gap” initiatives through a dedicated webpage on the Canada Soccer website.
As Canadian soccer continues to grow in popularity and prominence—bolstered by recent successes of national teams and increased investment in the sport—the “Close the Gap” strategy represents an effort to ensure that growth benefits all participants equally.
The initiative positions Canada as a potential leader in addressing gender equity challenges that persist across global soccer, offering a comprehensive framework that other nations may look to as a model for systemic change.
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