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Victoria announces $2M boost to back Vancouver's bid as host city for 2015 Women's World Cup

Improvised soccer game on legislature lawn celebrates Canada as host of 2012 FIFA Women's World Cup
FIFA Women's World Cup announcement
University of Victoria and Canadian National U-20 Team player Jaclyn Sawicki faces Bays United and Glenlyon Norfolk School player Caitlyn Ciceri

Players from the Canadian senior women’s national team, the University of Victoria Vikes women and the Bays United Gold girls played a pickup game on the lawn in front of the legislature on Tuesday (April 24) to celebrate the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup coming to Canada.

Ida Chong announced a $2 million backing to help Vancouver host matches during the World Cup, which is the largest women’s only sporting event in the world.

“Seeing it in Vancouver would be absolutely amazing,” said 19-year-old Vike Jaclyn Sawicki.

The Coquitlam native already has one cap with the senior women’s national team and dreams of playing in the 2015 World Cup just minutes from her home town.

"It's a long time from now and I have a lot of work ahead of me."

Claremont secondary grad and Current Vike Shannon Elder said the Vikes enjoyed travelling to Vancouver to see the semifinal and final of the recent CONCACAF women’s Olympic qualifying tournament at B.C. Place.

"It's incredible to see how many fans are there, and not just friends and family."

Without a sizable enough stadium Victoria is out of the running as a host for the 2015 Women’s World Cup.

Vancouver will learn its fate in early May.