Young Winnipeg soccer players to take world stage at FIFA

Some young Winnipeg soccer players are going to be on the world stage when the FIFA Women's World Cup kicks off next week. 

And they are thrilled about it, even though they won't be playing the 'beautiful game.

Five girls from Winnipeg's FC Northwest will be right next to the action on the pitch, making sure there's always a ball in play.

Grade 11 student Hayley Ward says she can't wait. 

"I'm going to feel like I'm going to be playing," she said. "I'm going to be nervous probably, just so many people are going to be watching. The players, the game. It's going to be a crazy experience. I'm nervous, but so excited.

Soccer mom Donna Vergata says the girls were only too happy to oblige when FIFA officials asked for volunteers. 

"Oh my gosh, they were thrilled," she said. "I mean, to see these world class players now on the field and being able to see them in person. It's one thing to see them on TV, then to see them in person. They're just in awe. Just in awe."

The girls are just a part of an army of volunteers helping out at the games. But they are by no means rookies to the sport. 

Vergata coached the girls when they were younger. She says they now have years of experience playing in top competitive leagues, and they have a special appreciation for the level of the sport they will be seeing up close.

Ward says it will be an experience like no other. 

"I never knew I'd be going to nationals, be part of a FIFA World Cup, like just done so much with soccer," Ward said. "Sports is just such a good way to do so many things; travel, make friends, the people I've met, things I've experienced. Soccer's awesome."

U of M coach also called up by FIFA

University of Manitoba soccer coach Vanessa Martinez Lagunas has been called on by FIFA to lend her expertise to the upcoming Women's World Cup.

She's part of the tournament's technical study group analyzing the matches and contributing to a report that will be made public. 

Martinez Lagunas says she's thrilled. 

"Imagine! It's a dream for any coach, the opportunity to analyze these games, especially here in Winnipeg where we'll have four of the top five teams in the world," she said. "I think it's an amazing honour."

Martinez Lagunas has worked with FIFA at other major events including last summer's FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.

She is now into her third season running the Bison program at the U of M, but she's always looking for ways to develop as a coach.

"It helps me to motivate my players because they know I have a chance to watch these top level games and that I'm going to be involved," she said. "So, that definitely motivates them. Also, they know that maybe in the future they may have these kinds of opportunities as well if they get into the coaching career."

Soccer has taken Martinez Lagunas from her native Mexico, to the United States and Germany, and now Canada.

She says that's not only given her wide experience but also the aim of inspiring her players to see just how far the sport may take them.

"They need to dream big because if you have a dream then you work towards it and then you have more chances to achieve it. But if you don't believe you can achieve great things, then it's for sure that you won't."