PHE Canada and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014’s Move Think Learn: Soccer in Focus resource expected to reach over 130,000 Canadian students

Starting this summer, Physical and Health Education Canada (PHE Canada) and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014 will be helping teachers educate students about physical literacy through soccer. Registered teachers of students in grades 4-6 and 7-9 will be supported in educating and engaging students in learning about the game of soccer and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014 through a supplement, designed as an extension to PHE Canada’s Move Think Learn resource series which engages students in soccer focused physical activities. This initiative is supported by FIFA.

On the first day registration was open to teachers, 551 educators requested the Move Think Learn: Soccer in Focus resource, potentially impacting 130,023 students from coast to coast to coast in Canada.

“We are thrilled to be working with PHE Canada to offer Canadian teachers and students the opportunity to learn valuable lessons from soccer participation,” said Peter Montopoli, Chief Executive Officer of FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014. “Along with Canada Soccer, we have a vision of engaging and inspiring all Canadians, from coast to coast, to become game changers in the world’s game. Canadians, in particular Canadian women and girls, have one of the world’s greatest participation levels in the sport. We hope this resource will continue this trend and increase existing participation levels for the benefit of Canada and our youth.”

The Move Think Learn: Soccer in Focus resource supplement was developed in partnership between the Canadian Soccer Association and PHE Canada with the vision of inspiring children and youth, their families and communities, to participate in soccer and reap the benefits of lifelong participation. Designed with an inquiry-based approach to learning, students are invited to ponder, question, and investigate topics related to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014 through guided learning experiences.

“Being able to develop a resource tied to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014 is a great way to connect student learning to activities happening in the world outside of school,” said Chris Jones, Executive Director and CEO of Physical and Health Education Canada. “The Move Think Learn resource series – and the Soccer in Focus resource in particular – is designed to support the development of physical literacy so that students not only learn about the sport in focus, but also how fundamental skills transfer to a multitude of other sports, games, and activities.”

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014 is coming this summer from 5-24 August. Sixteen nations will compete across the four Canadian host cities of: Edmonton, Alberta; Toronto, Ontario; Montréal, Québec; and Moncton, New Brunswick. The final match will be held at Stade Olympique in Montréal. The Canadian team will kick off the competition in a match against Ghana, which will be played in Toronto on 5 August.

As a result of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014 and next summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™, the National Organising Committee and Canada Soccer seek to leave a legacy for Canadians that goes far beyond the competition. Sport development, education and engagement are key areas for legacy creation as the organising committee seeks to help inspire and engage the youth of Canada through the catalyzing power of the world’s game, and to leave a lasting legacy that will inspire future generations of soccer players.

For more information on the Canadian Soccer Association, please visit migmultidev-canada-soccer.pantheonsite.io. To register to receive the Move Think Learn: Soccer in Focus supplement resource, please visit phecanada.ca/fifacanada2014.

For more information about the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014, visit FIFA.com/Canada2014.