Canada Soccer has announced that an interim funding agreement has been reached with the women’s national team players for the 2022 season. However, the terms of the agreement are subject to change as negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement with both the men’s and women’s national teams are still ongoing.
The interim agreement includes per-game incentives and results-based compensation, similar to the deal with the men’s national team. This announcement comes amidst an ongoing labour battle between Canada Soccer and the women’s national team, with players including Christine Sinclair and Janine Beckie advocating for pay equity and fair treatment. The women’s team has reported that they have not yet received pay for the 2022 season.
Canada Soccer’s General Secretary, Earl Cochrane, stated that the agreement is about “respect, dignity, and equalizing the competitive environment in a world that is fundamentally unequal.”
Meanwhile, Olympian Charmaine Crooks has been named interim president of Canada Soccer, becoming the first woman and person of colour appointed to the role. Crooks has been on the Canada Soccer board since 2013-14 and was elected vice-president in November 2020.
Canada Soccer has also recently dealt with other changes, including the resignation of president Nick Bontis and the refusal of the men’s national team to play an exhibition game against Panama last June.
The women’s national team also played under protest at the SheBelieves Cup last month, as Canada Soccer threatened legal action if they went on strike.
With the principle terms of agreement in place, Canada Soccer is now finalizing the details of the interim funding agreement with the women’s team.
However, Cochrane stated that there is still more work to be done to ensure that both national programs receive the necessary resources and support to prepare and compete.
»Canada’s women soccer team still haven’t received pay for the 2022 season«
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