Soccer
Women’s World Cup
Kara Lang, one of Canada’s great footballers from the past decade, has been named Canada’s first Official Ambassador for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™.
“I am thrilled to be taking part in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014 and FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ as an Official Ambassador,” said Lang.
“I think I can speak for everyone when I say: we are looking forward to welcoming the world and its game!”
The FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ Ambassador Program unites influential Canadians from coast to coast through an ongoing, positive conversation about the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ and how it can help deliver results for women seeking greater opportunities through sport and recreation as well as in every other occupation and activity. Above all, these Ambassadors are proud Canadians who want to help leave a legacy for women and sport in Canada through hosting the largest women’s sporting event in the world.
Victor Montagliani, Chairman of the National Organising Committee and President of the Canadian Soccer Association told the media that “she is a game changer for the sport in Canada, the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ provides an opportunity to engage Canadians from all corners of our vast nation, creating opportunities for lifelong sport and establishing a new era in the women’s game. Kara is an excellent example of someone who has worked tremendously hard to achieve soccer success. She embodies the spirit of what we are trying to achieve here in Canada as we host a celebration uniting the nations from around the world.”
A CONCACAF champion, Kara Lang is a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup™ participant, including a fourth-place finish at USA 2003.
Over the course of a nine-year international career, she scored 34 goals, fourth most in national team history. She was just 16 years old when she co-led Canada with 11 goals in 2003.
She was in fact the youngest player to represent Canada at the international “A” level, just 15 years old when she made her debut on 1 March 2002.
Later that year with the youth team, she won a silver medal with Canada at the memorable FIFA U-19 Women’s World Cup Championship (today known as the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup).
Honoured as a member of the All-Time Canada XI women’s team as part of the Canadian Soccer Association’s centennial celebration, Lang was a Canada Games winner with Ontario and a W-League winner with the Vancouver Whitecaps. She was the first winner of the Canadian U-20 Player of the Year award in 2005 and a college star at UCLA from 2005-08.
Stepping away from football in 2011 because of injuries, Lang has since worked in broadcast media, including coverage of the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Vancouver.
Her sideline presence triggered a memorable moment after Canada qualified for the London 2012 Olympics, with Lang’s former teammates surprising her with a group hug in an act that recognised her contributions to the Canadian program.
For more info please visit: Canadian Soccer Association