Making Her-Story
PFC NEWS: June 7
On June 7 2025, Phoenix FC held the first all-female soccer tournament as a way to celebrate our female soccer community and create visibility for all the amazing female leaders both on field and off that we have in Sherwood Park
The tournament included 167 female athletes, aged 8-17 from Tier 1, 2, 3, and 4 programming, for a total of 57 games. The morning consisted of U8-U11 games, followed by U12-U17 in the afternoon.
The games were managed by our female technical coaches, Miranda McCaughey, Carolina Flores, Maya Pardeahtan, Carmya Mastrangelo, and Kendra Benson with assistance from 19 of our female junior coaches in training aged 11-16.
"I love working with the Junior Coaches. We are all about the mentorship and they are doing amazing. They are the best at substitutions! I could not get through the day without them." said McCaughey.
The tournament games were officiated by 15 female referees, with assignment, oversight and on site mentorship being led by senior female referee, Isabella Cicchini.
In addition to 3v3 games, the tournament also hosted the "Boost'er Skills Competition" sponsored by Booster Juice for athletes to test out their skills! Featuring Hardest Shot, Accuracy, Scanning, Sprinting, and a Keeper Showdown - this competition was a fan-favourite. Only one athlete per team was entered into each skill, with the cumulative score from all skills crowing the top team for each age bracket. The Boost'er Skills competition was overseen and managed by a group of female coaches, managers and moms volunteering from our community.
Amenities on site were provided by local female owned businesses including athlete recovery, stretching, taping and massage by Lemon Tree Health. The athletes loved getting the pro treatment and the beds were rarely open! Other female owned businesses showcased were Beaded Creations, Body Roll Spa, Delight Soap and More, and Expedia Cruises Sherwood Park.
"Its great to see the merch, the physio, all the girls playing. Fantastic atmosphere. She Can RISE should be very proud of the impact and connection that this tournament will have on our club and our community." commented Bernie Soto, Executive Director of Phoenix FC.
Onsite media capture was done by Jessie Cheveldayoff of Fleur Media, alongside Phoenix FC staff, while food was provided by another locally female owned business, The Lemon Lagoon Food Truck.
“I am just so proud of how this event came together… seeing this field filled with female athletes, led by female coaches, officiated by female referees is just…a dream really, coming to life in front of me. I'm proud of our community of athletes and coaches for participating, and I thank our business community for your support!”
Colleen Skitsko, She Can RISE Program Lead
Nicole Anderson, parent of two participants, one in the U12 division and the other in the U15 division said, "I love the 3 on 3 [playing format]! Both girls really enjoyed playing today and loved the take home prizes. There was some good competition today and it was fun to watch."
Funds from the tournament will go toward the She Can RISE Female Coach Education Scholarship to help with the cost of certification for new female coaches, as well as, our monthly coach education speaker series that speaks to coaching questions surrounding all athletes, as well as, specific topics around keeping our female athletes involved in sport.
For more information on the Phoenix FC She Can RISE Initiative, join the Google Classroom (code: m3pyron) or contact Colleen at c.skitsko@spdsa.net.