Vancouver FC therapist Amelia Ng highlights the importance of empowering women in sport ahead of Friday’s celebration at Willoughby Stadium.
Vancouver FC’s Amelia Ng Champions Women in Sport
Highlighting a special celebration in Langley
Vancouver FC will host its third annual Women and Girls in Sport Celebration this Friday at Willoughby Community Park in Langley. The evening kicks off with a pre-match tailgate at 5:30 p.m. before the club faces five-time CPL champions Forge FC at 7 p.m. The event aims to inspire young athletes while celebrating women’s contributions to sport.
A voice for representation
Leading the conversation is Amelia Ng, Vancouver FC’s head athletic therapist. A former soccer player, coach, and therapist, Ng hopes her story will encourage young girls to pursue their dreams in athletics. “We want to be your equal, and in a lot of sports that’s already happening,” she said, emphasizing the importance of visibility and opportunity for women.
Community connections beyond the pitch
The club is extending its commitment beyond Friday’s event. Vancouver FC has partnered with the North Shore Girls Soccer Club, the largest female-focused youth soccer organization in Canada, as well as programs like Go Girls! and SARA for Women. These partnerships underline the team’s dedication to building pathways for young female athletes.
Upcoming milestones for women’s soccer
This October, Vancouver FC will share its stadium with Vancouver Rise, who will compete in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup against Alianza Women FC. Ng believes moments like this bring crucial attention to women’s sport. “The atmosphere is great and it’s important that we keep celebrating them,” she noted.
Personal journey of resilience
Ng’s career path reflects both triumph and struggle. From playing at Simon Fraser University to competing in Surrey with Surrey United, her playing career was cut short by injuries, including concussions. Transitioning to therapy and coaching, she now helps athletes navigate recovery, drawing on her own experience with setbacks.
Empowering the next generation
Ng emphasizes that representation and mentorship matter. She notes that women remain underrepresented in coaching roles—even in women’s programs. For her, Friday’s celebration is about more than sport: it’s about sending a message. “We’re telling young girls they can achieve what they want, and telling young boys it’s normal for girls to want the same.”
Why it matters now
With women’s sports rapidly growing in Canada, events like Vancouver FC’s celebration serve as both recognition of progress and a reminder that more work is needed. For Ng, the mission is clear—empowering the next generation of athletes to believe in their potential and pursue it without limits.
This article is original and written specifically for Surreyspeak.com
