Canada Soccer announced yesterday that TELUS will become its Official Telecommunications, Digital Health, and Home Security Partner for the Federation and its National Teams. The dynamic new multi-year partnership will see TELUS become title partner of the TELUS Canadian Championship starting in 2024 — the nation’s premier club competition. To kick off the partnership, TELUS and Canada Soccer are helping ensure more women and girls enjoy the benefits of soccer, with TELUS being named the title partner of the TELUS She CAN Coach Program, a national female coach recruitment, development, and training program. The multi-year partnership will enable both organizations to join forces to drive meaningful change across Canada through impactful community initiatives and programs supporting youth and women.
The TELUS She CAN Coach Program- a newly formed Canada Soccer initiative, will support and advance gender equity in sport by breaking down barriers of entry and balancing the current gender gap in participation . The inaugural phase of the TELUS She CAN Coach program will launch in Alberta and Nova Scotia as part of the initial club recruitment and onboarding phase this September. Coach recruitment will begin in September, with programming starting in January 2024. Applications for the TELUS She Can Coach program are now open until July 31, with coach recruits to be announced in August. To learn more and apply, visit canadasoccer.com/ she-can-coach.
To celebrate Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team competing at the FIFA Women’s World Cup™, taking place from July 20 to August 20 in Australia, TELUS is leading several initiatives, in support of the Women’s National Team as well as helping advance gender equity across the sport by donating $1,000 for every goal Canada scores during the tournament, up to $20,000, to EqualPlayFC, an organization that is dedicated to making changes for the betterment of girls and women. TELUS will also provide its world leading technology and connectivity to the players, helping keep Canada Soccer’s Women's National Team connected to loved ones back home.
In addition, Canada Soccer and TELUS will help make soccer more accessible to young fans facing economic barriers to playing the game by rallying Canadians to bring gently used soccer equipment at select 2023 Canada Soccer and Canadian Premier League events that will be collected and re-distributed to underprivileged communities nationwide. Through the annual initiative kicking off this summer, TELUS hopes to impact thousands of new soccer players by removing barriers to getting them on the field, ultimately helping create opportunities for soccer participation in Canada while inspiring youth to reach their full potential through the sport.
Jason deVos, Canada Soccer General Secretary Secretary
We are proud to welcome TELUS to the Canada Soccer family and excited to work together to elevate our premier club competition nationally. This partnership really emphasizes the importance of corporate partners like TELUS as we collectively work to drive the growth of the sport in our country and continue to invest in advancing gender equity. We look forward to collaborating together with TELUS to drive positive outcomes in our communities.
Jill Schnarr, Chief Social Innovation, Communications and Brand Officer, TELUS
As a proudly Canadian, global technology company, we’re focused on connecting Canadians to the people and activities they’re passionate about, bringing communities together and keeping them connected to what matters most. Soccer is the largest and fastest growing sport in Canada. While its popularity grows so too does the need to address inequities and barriers to access. In addition to supporting both our Women’s and Men’s National Teams, we are thrilled to help support and expand the TELUS She CAN Coach Program, helping drive positive social change in our communities and enabling equitable access, opportunity and recognition for female athletes.
Kadeisha Buchanan, three-time Canadian Women’s Player of the Year
It’s great to see organizations coming together to support women and girls in soccer and helping improve gender equity in the sport. It’s important to have organizations like TELUS step up their support in Canada, investing in all aspects of the game, from grassroots to professional and ultimately, empowering women and girls through the TELUS She CAN Coach program. I'm excited to see TELUS make a real impact for women and girls on and off the pitch.
