“Where are you from?” asked the security personnel as I walked out to the Media Tribune on BC Place’s 400 level. “I’m from here, I’m local,” I said, feeling inadequate as though they were waiting to welcome a journalist from afar instead they got someone who lives 8 blocks away. “Well then, you’re super VIP!” I smiled as the other staff were notified of my new status and found my seat just to the right of the centre line on the bright green Polytan turf.
The Spidercam slid along 4 cables attached to the highest riggings in the stadium and danced above the field as pop music echoed from the sound system. I had my freshly-printed media package, xeroxed copies of the tactical lineups for the first match of the day’s double header, and as the familiar aroma of mini-donuts wafted my way I read the tweet from the official FIFA Women’s World Cup account that one million spectators were now booked to attend the World Cup in Canada. I’m not playing a very large role in the World Cup matches hosted in Vancouver (aside from an awesome contest I have going with the City of Vancouver’s Fan Zone) but I knew I was about to become a part of something very special in this city.
FIFA Women’s World Cup: First Match Day in Vancouver
Cameroon and Ecuador took the pitch for a historic first match in Vancouver. There had never been a showdown between debutant sides before in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Fans in yellow (a colour that represents both teams) took their seats in the stadium with flags in hand. With the roof open, a circle of sunshine covered the left side of the venue as jubilant chants, though rather quiet, supporting both teams could be heard between whistle blows.
The Lionnes for Cameroon were in great form, with standout stars #9 Madeleine Ngono and #17 Gaëlle Enganamouit charging the Ecuadorian net and combining for a 6-0 outcome The final goal by #7 Gabrielle Onguene was followed by a swan dive into the open arms of her teammates on the sidelines. Enganamouit with a hat trick was awarded Player of the Match during the press conference that followed.
Outside at the Vancouver Fan Zone at Georgia and Cambie, where I’m running a contest to enter to win World Cup tickets, I received tweets from spectators watching this match and the USA-AUS match who said although it was “hotter than the surface of the sun” on the warm early June day, they were having a blast at the free celebration site.
The second match of the day kicked off at 7:00pm as reigning champions Japan took on Switzerland who were also making their World Cup debut. The atmosphere, and number of fans, amplified as Japan supporters took over sections 249-252 in BC Place, where Whitecaps FC supporters, the Vancouver Southsiders, usually set up shop. The energy was similar to an MLS match with drums, chants, flags and tifo. In the upper bowl, on level 400, Swiss supporters clapped thunder sticks and led their own chants, echoed by another Swiss supporter section below me to and the left. “Hopp Schwiiz! (clap, clap, clap) Hopp Schwiiz! (clap, clap, clap).”
My husband sent me a message: “Watch for #10 Ramona Bachmann, plays pro club with Marta in Europe who gives her high praise.” Even without his text, I wouldn’t have been able to miss Bachmann who was a fireball on the pitch, dribbling around defenders and creating scoring chances. Unfortunately for the Swiss team, Japan’s #8 Aya Miyama scored early on a penalty kick and the 1-0 score stood until the final whistle blew.
Swiss coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg commented that she was very proud of their performance today and she felt they should have at least had a draw. “Bachmann is one of the saddest players today because she couldn’t use the opportunities she had.”
Miyama was awarded the Player of the Match at the press conference where she said the team had difficulty finding their rhythm but getting this one goal felt great.
All teams are ready for their next matches in Vancouver on Friday and are focused on their main goal: qualifying for the next round of play.
Next Matches at BC Place
Coming up, the next matches at BC Place will be on Friday, June 12th as Switzerland now face Ecuador and Japan will pair up with Cameroon.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015: Nigeria vs USA
Sunday, June 21, 2015: Round of 16
Tuesday, June 23, 2015: Round of 16
Saturday, June 27, 2015: Quarter Final
Sunday, July 5, 2015: FINAL
The dry weather means that more people will be hitting the road to find a camping spot this summer but it also means that our forests will have a high fire risk. In susceptible areas of the province, new fires will start easily, spread rapidly, and challenge fire suppression efforts. Before you head out to cook your s’mores, check out the BC Wildfire website for the latest information.
As of June 1, 2015 campfires are permitted in the Coastal, Northwest, Prince George, Kamloops, Southeast, and Cariboo regions. There are some restrictions in the Coastal region, including a ban on Category 2 fires in Parksville on Vancouver Island. Category 2 is an open fire, excluding a campfire, that burns piled material no larger than two metres high and three metres wide, or grass over an area less than 0.2 hectares (2000 square metres) in size.
Celebrating the best of British Columbia film and television, the 17th Leo Awards will take place over three nights in downtown Vancouver, with the Celebration One Awards Ceremony happening this past Saturday at the Westin Bayshore.
Leo Awards 2015: Nominees
Over 30 awards were handed out on Saturday, including Best Visual Effects, Dramatic Series (winner: The Flash); Best Make-up, Dramatic Series (winner: Once Upon A Time – The Snow Queen); Best Overall Sound, Documentary Program Or Series (winner: A Brony Tale); Best Hairstyling, Dramatic Series (winner: Izombie – Live and Let Clive); And More!
In the Motion Picture category Eadweard has 15 nominations, and Black Fly has 10. VIFF fan favourite, Preggoland has 6. For Television Dramatic Series, Motive has an impressive 21 nominations, with Strange Empire following up with 10 and The Flash with 8. For Documentary Program or Series, Ice Pilots NWT has 7 nominations, The Liquidator has 6 in the Information, Lifestyle or Reality Program or Series category, and Mighty Mighty Monsters in Pranks for the Memories has 7 in the Animation Program or Series category.
Reference the awards by evening by see the which awards will be handed out on which evening. Tickets for the final two award ceremonies are available online.
The Celebration Two Awards Ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 13th at the Hotel Vancouver and the Gala Awards Ceremony is Sunday, June 14th at the Hotel Vancouver. Follow the Leo Awards on Twitter and Facebook for more information.
The Kitsilano Showboat has begins its 80th season of free entertainment in Vancouver, running every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from June 22nd until August 15th. Since 1935 this summer staple has featured musical acts, plays, and dancers all near the pool at Kitsilano Beach.
Flamenco, Tango, big-band — you name it! Catch a performance of exuberant local talent against the spectacular backdrop of beach, water, mountains and city. All programs start at 7:00pm and the Kitsilano Showboat is free to enjoy but donations are very welcome.
Ring in a new season surrounded by mountains and overlooking beautiful Howe Sound as the Sea to Sky Gondola hosts its second annual Summer Solstice Celebration.
On Friday, June 19th the gondola is kicking off its weekend Sunset Music Series with they’ve put together an impressive music lineup featuring Cam Salay, Badgerchild with Alex Marusyk, Lovecoast and headliner Dustin Bentall. Invite friends and family to enjoy a patio social, the picturesque view and local food and beverage features. Friday’s events run from 6:00pm to 10:00pm.
On Saturday, start the morning with a 10:30am group yoga flow class hosted by Christy Defranco and followed by the Mountain Equipment Co-op Family Games Zone taking place in the Plaza. Head up in the afternoon for lantern-making, floral crowns, pre-registered sunset yoga flow and end the evening with an animated Lantern Walk led by Carolyn Grass and Ihor Zalubniak around the Panorama Trail.
Click here for information about passes and here for information about registering for the yoga sessions.
Win a Sea to Sky Gondola Summer Solstice Experience
Start your weekend — and your summer — on a high note and enter to win two day tickets for Friday, June 19th at the Sea to Sky Gondola and enjoy their Summer Solstice Celebration. The winner of this contest will also receive a $50 food and beverage credit to dine 885 meters above Howe Sound. Here’s how you can enter to win:
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RT to enter to win a @seatoskygondola summer solstice prize pack from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/O62iW
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, June 16, 2015. Follow the Sea to Sky Gondola on Facebook and Twitter for more information about this beautiful attraction and special events.
