Joy Drop: Preparing for the Women’s World Cup

Hello friends! I have some exciting news: I’m leaving for Australia next week to cover the Women’s World Cup, so this will be the last Joy Drop until after the tournament.

I’m excited about a lot of things, but mostly about bringing stories that Canadians want to hear about. Besides covering the actual matches and current affairs, I will be in a new place and one with a rich cultural history with thousands and thousands of people supporting the beautiful game.

I will share a piece I wrote about the Canadian women’s team captain Christine Sinclair and how her role has evolved over the past 20 years. She’s a leader and a fighter and it’s a story worth knowing if you like sports, and if you like Canada. Support from the team is essential and I’m glad to see support starting to become a trend. Share your enthusiasm on social media and let the team know you’re cheering them on.

There are the funny moments where we think about the games Canada will be playing and all the great coverage that CBC Sports is working on. Make sure to check out Soccer North and follow social media for lots of fun content, like this great interview And Petrillo had with Jessie Fleming.

I know it’s hard to think past the World Cup, but Canada has already announced an Olympic qualifier to be played in Toronto on September 26.

There is a lot of buzz about football, but women’s hockey should not be missed! It was announced last week that Billie Jean King Enterprises and the Mark Walter Group (Walter owns the Los Angeles Dodgers) have purchased the Premier Hockey Federation. It also stated that professional women’s hockey would begin within one league January.

While not everything can be perfect, there are calls for celebration and exclamations of happiness and excitement. The creation of a single league has been a long time coming. I hope this new era of women’s hockey provides safety, reward and all the things these exceptional players deserve.

Speaking of leagues, WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart have announced that they are creating a 3-on-3 league in the WNBA’s offseason. Instead of players working abroad to maximize winning potential, they will be playing in the US. Thirty of the best players in the world will compete in this player-created competition.

Last but not least, the trailer of a fantastic biopic about the Reggae legend Bob Marley fell this week. Marley loved soccer and his daughter Cedella has a deep connection with the Jamaica women’s national team. She played a vital role in advocating for them and was their ambassador. They still are fight for the right funding and I hope they get the attention and support they deserve.

The movie will be released in 2024, but the trailer has me excited. The ties to sport are deep, but the message of peace and justice cannot be overemphasized.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEWMitrVRWI

I hope you enjoy your summer and all the great things happening in sports and beyond. I’ll write more when I get back. Look for me on social media and everywhere you find CBC Sports.

A love.