Female athletes blow whistle on soccer league for barring goaltender
Female athletes lashed out at a pro soccer league on Thursday, over the decision to disqualify an Olympic medal-winning goaltender because of her gender.
While Calgary Foothills FC expressed a desire to keep Team Canada goaltender Stephanie Labbe on its roster, the Premier Development League (PDL) has informed her she’s ineligible because of its status as a men’s organization.
Labbe called the decision disappointing, saying she hoped women playing in otherwise men’s hockey leagues would help pave the way for her to compete in the PDL, a feeder league sponsored by the United Soccer Leagues in the U.S. and Canada.
In a tweet Thursday, Canadian female hockey Olympian Hayley Wickenheiser — who has competed on male-dominated teams — echoed that disappointment.
“Honestly, it’s 2018, grow some (soccer balls) and think outside the box,” she wrote. “If she’s good enough, she plays.”
Wickenheiser’s Team Canada colleague Shannon Szabados also weighed in on Twitter, saying hockey seems to be ahead of at least some soccer organizations in appreciating merit over gender.
“I’ve been fortunate to play in leagues that only focus on skill, ability and, most importantly, development,” she said.
“They do not discriminate based on race, sex or age.”
Calgary Foothills FC coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. said Labbe had been accepted by his team as “a fighter, a professional” and vowed to seek ways to keep her involved with the squad.
Stony Plain native Labbe said she will fight for her right to play in the league, partly for the future of aspiring female athletes in the sport.
Officials with the PDL didn’t return calls Thursday.