Canada will host the second International Federation of American Football Women's World Championship when the national teams of eight countries converge on the province of New Brunswick in August 2013.
Saint John, known as New Brunswick's 'City on the Bay', will be the venue for the majority of games including the medal rounds and will host the players, coaches and officials of the eight teams, while neighboring Fredericton and Moncton will each feature two games.
The inaugural IFAF Women's World Championship was played in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2010. Following a series of group games, the United States won the Gold Medal, seeing off the challenge of Canada, while Finland defeated Germany to claim bronze and host Sweden edged out Austria for fifth place.
"Hosting this prestigious tournament is an ongoing journey that I have to see women's football developed throughout Canada," said Saint John native Harlow, who co-founded his nation's first women's tackle league in New Brunswick in 2003. "We are honored and excited to bring the world's best female players to our province and I am certain that the people here and throughout Canada will show their support.
"This is an event that will further raise the profile of women's football internationally and will also bring visitors, a positive economic impact and opportunities for local people to New Brunswick."
Prime Minister of Canada STEPHEN HARPER, said at the time of the Canadian bid to host the championship: "I am certain every effort will be made to ensure that the athletes have an extremely successful and enjoyable competition here. Saint John would, I am sure, be an excellent host for this championship."
IFAF President TOMMY WIKING said: "Women's American football is an important part of the IFAF mission to spread the popularity of the game and we are delighted that the province of New Brunswick has stepped forward to host our world championship. The standard of play in Sweden in 2010 was impressive and football fans who are intrigued by women's football will see a high-quality product on the field in Canada."
The region has strong ties to women's football and the competition that is now known as the Maritime Women's Football League (MWFL) where it still operates today with four teams for players aged 18 years and older. In 2008 a junior football league was started in Saint John, for girls aged 14-17 and has grown to become a provincial league with the girls playing six-a-side games. In 2010 the first ever Team Canada final camp was held in Saint John before the team traveled to participate in the 2010 IFAF Women's World Championship in Sweden. It was from these programs and those in Montreal Edmonton and Winnipeg that female football has grown across Canada.
The tournament is supported by: Government of Canada, Province of New Brunswick, Sport and Tourism New Brunswick, City of Saint John, City of Fredericton, Football Canada, Football New Brunswick, Fundy Minor Football, Capital Area Minor Football, Moncton Minor Football, Discover Saint John, Saint John Hotel Association, Hospitality Saint John, Hampton Inn Hotel and Suites.
The 62 IFAF member federations that have established women's programs will be invited to participate in regional qualifying stages for the right to compete at the 2013 IFAF Women's World Championship. Game dates and group placement will be announced at a later date.
