When Kory Crawford, Redeemer’s Sports Complex Manager, answered his phone late in the evening on Monday, July 13, he didn’t realize the service he would end up providing his country.

Steve Sevor, Manager of Sport Development for the City of Hamilton called Kory seeking an indoor facility for Canada’s Pan Am Women’s Soccer team. The weather in Hamilton the next day was not looking good, and the team wanted a place to practice ahead of its game against Costa Rica on Wednesday.

Kory was only too happy to help. “We have a very good relationship with the City of Hamilton,” he says, “and they make use of our fields every spring. We worked closely with Sport Hamilton and Tourism Hamilton in the lead up to the Pan Am games with the hopes of having some of the teams practice here.

So even with the short notice, Redeemer was able to host the women’s team for their workout. Eighteen players, led by Coach Jon Herdman and backed up by a support staff of eight, took to the full-size soccer pitch for a two-hour practice.

Team Leader Kim Blake, from Vancouver, BC, has been coordinating logistics for Canada’s women soccer teams for several years. “I have been in stadiums across the world,” she says, “and this (Redeemer’s) is truly a great facility. Even better than the facility itself was the service we received. I wish we could be here every day!”

“We’re glad that we could, even in some small way, support Canada’s Pan Am team,” notes Crawford. “This has also been a great opportunity for Redeemer to show off its world class soccer facilities to some of Canada’s top players and coaches. With two FIFA-regulated sized artificial turf playing fields—one of which can be used year round—there are few facilities like it in Ontario, much less in Hamilton.”

The women’s tournament is being played at the new CIBC Hamilton Pan Am Soccer Stadium. For scores and schedules, visit the Pan Am website.