On Saturday, June 6th, Canada’s Women’s National Team played China at the Fifa’s Women’s World Cup, winning with a 1-0 score.
A sold out crowd cheered to Christine Sinclair when she scored the victory goal during a penalty kick in the second minute of second-half-stoppage time. It was during this victory that Hope soccer fans had the distinction of raising $5000 for Hope minor soccer by cheering.
Through the Mondelez Pride and Joy campaign (Mondelez is known for its fun products like Chips A’Hoy, Maynards Candies, Ritz Crackers and Stride Gum,) that involves a fun and resourceful new app called the Joy Cheer App, local and national fans cheered their way to a victory for Hope’s minor soccer teams.
The Joy Cheer app is a free new app that was created for youth soccer that allows fans to cheer by shaking it — it’s a grass roots movement to raise money for youth soccer and give deserving communities a chance to distribute new resources in a fun and engaging way,” said Aditi Burman, consumer promotions and sponsorships lead at Mondelez Canada.
“It’s about giving all the kids an opportunity to play,” she said.
The Hope Minor Soccer League was selected out of 100 pre-qualified clubs across the country for a chance at receiving much-needed funds to help support youth soccer and succeeded as a selected applicant, based on the resourcefulness of grant seeker, Hope Secondary School teacher and girls soccer coach Jeremy Smith.
“We’re very excited about it,” he told The Hope Standard. “We’re hoping to get more nets, equipment, a line marker and to give cash to kids who don’t necessarily have the financial means to play.”
Smith encouraged the students to download the app and cheer, bribing them with an excess of freezies and ice cream that he distributed to completion upon the procurement of the desired funds.
Hope Minor Soccer’s first priority with the money will be to help fund youth who face significant financial barriers, prohibiting them from the game of soccer — whether it be helping to pay league fees, buying cleats, shin pads or helping to send players to tournaments according to Smith.
All soccer fans are encouraged to download the Joy Cheer App for free from the App Store or Play Store and to cheer your hearts out for Canada’s Women’s National Team in the upcoming game scheduled on Monday, June 15th. Showing your support by cheering and shaking the app will provide a chance to give other communities and deserving kids the dream of minor soccer.