VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC host Women & Girls in Sport night at BC Place this Saturday, August 27, as the ‘Caps continue their playoff push with a crucial home match against Nashville SC. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT and tickets are available at whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
This coming Friday, August 26 is Women’s Equality Day, and on Saturday the club will be celebrating the incredible women and girls working, playing, and setting new standards in sports.
LOGO
The specially designed logo for the Women & Girls in Sport match was created by Whitecaps FC designer Kelsie Lee.
Kelsie Lee is the Whitecaps FC design lead for motion and stadium and has been with the club for three years. For her logo design, she chose to focus on four main elements:
- Mimosa flower – official flower for International Women's Day, symbol of femininity and strength
- Transgender flag colours – pink, baby blue and white, represents gender and inclusivity
- Lightning – represents a silent, powerful force that strikes unexpectedly
- Leopard print and hearts – a nod to Lee's signature style
TANK TOPS FOR FIRST 1,500 FANS
The first 1,500 fans to enter through Gates A, C, and E will receive a custom tank top featuring the Whitecaps FC Women & Girls in Sport logo.
CREATORS ROW
The four women who have designed logos for the club’s celebration matches this season will have their work featured on a creators row of flags at Terry Fox Plaza. The four logos were designed by:
- Sandeep Johal – Vaisakhi Night (April 9)
- Debra Sparrow – Indigenous Peoples Match (June 4)
- Christina Hryc – Pride Match (July 23)
- Kelsie Lee – Women & Girls in Sport Match (August 27)
PRE-MATCH JAMBOREE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FAST AND FEMALE
100 young women between the ages of 8 to 14 will participate in a pre-match jamboree featuring 20 role models and mentors focused on female empowerment and wholistic health and wellness.
Participants will enjoy an hour of playing soccer on the pitch at BC Place under the guidance of Whitecaps FC community coaches, and an hour of interactive educational seminars led by high performance athletes from Fast and Female.
Jamboree participants will be joining from:
NORTH SHORE GIRLS FUNDRAISER
The North Shore Girls Soccer Club will also be taking part in a pre-match clinic on the pitch at BC Place.
Prior to kickoff, they will be fundraising through merchandise sales at ‘Caps Kickoff on Terry Fox Plaza.
ADDITIONAL SPECIAL ATTENDEES
Whitecaps FC are also excited to welcome special guests to Saturday’s match from the following community groups:
B90 PANEL
Before the match, Beyond 90 will host a panel on The Rising Tide of Women in Sports featuring leading women from Vancouver’s sports community. The panel will be hosted by Erin Mathany, Whitecaps FC senior vice president of marketing.
Beyond 90 brings professionals and entrepreneurs together to make connections, join discussions, and build partnerships. For more information and to become part of the Beyond 90 program, visit whitecapsfc.com/b90.
KID CAPTAIN
Saturday’s Kid Captain will be Phoenix Morningstar Cardinal from Girls Who LEAP Society, and she will be joined at the pre-match presentation by the South Sisters.
Phoenix is a member of the Little Man Clan from Stellaten First Nation. She honours both her Dakelh/Wetsuwet’en and Cree roots in her sports and community activities. Phoenix plays soccer, basketball and track and field. She represents Vancity Grizzlies basketball team at Junior All Native Tournament and plays soccer for the Nisga’a Cubs. Phoenix demonstrates strong cultural values by being of service to others where she often assembles medicine pouches and care packages as random acts of kindness.
OFFICIATING CREW
Three women will be part of the officiating crew as Whitecaps FC take on Nashville SC.
This includes both assistant referees in Felisha Mariscal and Meghan Mullen, as well as the video assistant referee in Carol Anne Chenard.
PA ANNOUNCER
The in-stadium voice for Saturday’s match will be local PA announcer France Perras.
Perras has previously been in the PA booth at ’Caps matches, including French language announcements during Canadian Championship games.
IN-STADIUM STAFF & VOLUNTEERS
Several of the in-stadium staff and volunteers for Saturday’s match will be led by women. This includes security, as well as all girls accompanying the player walkouts and ball retrievers on the sidelines.
