With just over two weeks until kick-off to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015, it was Winnipeg's turn to host FIFA's Live Your Goals festival. Organized by FIFA, Canada Soccer, the Manitoba Soccer Association and the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015™ National Organizing Committee. The event took place on 18 May and featured a large group of special guests from across the country, including Brittany Baxter, (Canadian Women’s National Team & Seattle Sounders), former Canadian Women’s National Team Player Melanie Booth, and Sylvie Beliveau, Long Term Player Development Manager at Canada Soccer.

Nearly 200 U-12 girls soccer players representing all five of Winnipeg's districts took part in the event. Youth from St. Charles Soccer Association, Bonivital Soccer Club, Winnipeg South End United, Phoenix Soccer Club and FC Northwest engaged in a series of soccer clinics and activities that promoted fair play and teamwork.

“The Manitoba Soccer Association is very pleased to partner with FIFA, Canada Soccer, Winnipeg’s FIFA Women’s World Cup venue team and Manitoba’s youth soccer clubs to ensure over 200 young female athletes participate in the Live Your Goals festival,” said Hector Vergara, Executive Director of the Manitoba Soccer Association. “This is a fantastic event that will promote and foster the game in our province and across the country. It is our hope that this will lead to more players of all ages and gender participating in the beautiful game.”

Live Your Goals is a global initiative that inspires girls and young women to achieve their goals in football through perseverance, fair play and teamwork – all while making new friends. FIFA provides support to member associations implementing the campaign and festivals by helping with concept development, financial assistance, kit and equipment, and communications support. The initiative will receive a big boost on 3 June, capitalising on the global interest around the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Canadian Soccer Association is promoting Live Your Goals in and around the FIFA Women’s World Cup while leveraging the exposure and momentum from the event to leave a lasting legacy. This month’s festivals will be delivered through a partnership with its provincial soccer associations.