Hello, I think that Canada should have a system similar to that in Britain. I see Canada similar to Scotland and US similar to England. England has their EPL and Scotland has their own league which does very well. I don't see why it can't be the same here in North America. In terms of championships, a UEFA type league that includes top clubs from leagues in Mexico and Central America can be formed. Any thoughts? I also think the best way to promote soccer in Canada is to make it a fun environment for 20 to 30 year olds. Similar to Toronto Rock games. Kind of target the university crowd and start traditions like tailgating parties and make soccer games a festive environment. Cheap beer promotions can also help attract fans and promote atmosphere! Any thoughts?
Canada does have the A-League, which is considered first division here in Canada. However, at this point the A-League is the best option for Canadian soccer.
This is allready done it's called the CONCACAF champions Cup. http://www.concacaf.com/competitions/info.page/champsleague/
Don't take this personally, but Scotland could fit several times in many provinces (probably around 8-10 times in Québec). Size and population scarcity has always been the biggest hurdle for a Canadian league.
Soccer in Canada, cannot compete with hockey, baseball, or basketball. Another problem is that Canadian Children may play the sport but have no interest in watching a game or following the WC. Myself as an example have quite a few friends that play soccer. However I'm the only one who watches any league {EPL. Scotland, German, Spanish, UEFA, and Champions League} There is just not the interest here in Canada for any league of any size.
I have a lot of friends who play soccer, and only a few will sit down to watch a game. They don't even know about the A-League or CPSL.
Since when does soccer have to compete with baseball and basketball? Also it doesn't have to competer with hockey because the two sports are not played at the same time of the year (short overlap at the start of the soccer season). There is a lack of support for soccer in this country because people would rather sit at home and watch foreign soccer rather than getting out and supporting local soccer.
Cities of Baseball teams: Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, London, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal (2 teams), and Quebec City. More with a lack of promotion by the existing club teams.
Yes there are a bunch of minor league baseball teams in Canada (I include Toronto in this list). Since when are they competition with our soccer teams? Vancouver has played games at the same day and time as our baseball, team and still put 4000 people in the stadium. No competition there. In fact we've played at the same time as the BC Lions were playing at BC Place and still had the same attendance. Tonight in Calgary their baseball team was playing at he same time the soccer team was. Opening night for a new franchise and the baseball team drew a whopping 1727 to the game. If Calgary actually had a fan base 1727 people next door to watch baseball would not have significantly reduced the Storms crowd size. In fact fan reports say that the Storm drew around 350 again, the same they drew when the baseball team wasn't playing. My point is that baseball in canada is not a threat to soccer attendance, and soccer does not have to compete with it. Baseball is not that popular. You are correct about teams with a lack of promotion. Toronto and Calgary have nobody promoting the teams and they have crappy attendance. Montreal and Vancouver promote their teams and they draw well. However it's the fans fault as well. If you are a soccer fan you make it your business to know when games are. Look at Portland. Almost no promotion this year and crappy weekday games and they are still averaging over 4383 a game this season.
Just a few minor issues with this. They are competing for the casual fans of both sports entertainment dollar and their seasons almost always overlap (maybe this amateur league won't be as bad as the Cannons). While the kids may be more interested in soccer, Dad (who controls the purse strings) is more likely to enjoy baseball. They also have a better facility and cheaper tickets. Both teams essentialy play at the same site - when the games overlap parking becomes a bit of an issue (especially for us tailgaters as we tend to set up the barbecue closer to the baseball entrance as we can steal a stall for the barbecue and chairs) and fans who sit on the East side have to keep an ear open for a solid hit as anything over the wall in right centre will land in the fans over there (from behind). As for the promotion aspect I have to agree with you. The Storm have three Jamaican players, had a Jamaican night (missed it while on vacation) and suceeded in pulling in no Jamaican fans. Talked with a person I used to work with who's from Jamaica and they had not heard of either piece of info - hopefully the Storm can do something with CariFest to drum up some excitement about the club in that community. These groups have community associations - how tough is it to make a couple of phone calls and send out some faxes (not very - did it for 3 years for Team Canada Men's Volleyball). I'm not looking for home runs (1,000 more fans in the stand next week) but would like to see improvements. I have to admit that the crowd for the last match was much better and hopefully is an indicator that things have started to improve.
WADR, I beg to differ. I think Canadian business people would leap at the opportunity to begin a Candian Professional Soccer league. In spite of many ups and down, Canada has a long history of support for professional sports. Two of the oldest prizes in all of professional sports remain the Stanley and Grey Cups. A new league of Canadian sides would, in time, find its niche and have success. This would be especially true if the Canadian league develops home grown talent, a la MLS, and improves its world standings and results. Remaining in A league is not an option. Canadian talent will not be as rapidly developed if Canadian youngsters do not see the kind of opportunity in soccer, namely to play in your home country at a high professional level, that they do in Hockey, Baseball, Basketball and Football. Perhaps, as in the US, now would be the time for the CFL ownerships to take a hard look at how they can combine and enhance the value of their franchises by adding a soccer league.
They haven't really taken the jump at investing in soccer. When they usually do, it's outside of Canada. Canadians don't seem to regard the NHL much anymore with all the changes that are occuring. The CBL is a news test in realtion to baseball. There's no national basketball league. The CFL is still recovering from the problems it suffered in the 90's. The problem with the A-League is not enough Canadian teams at the moment. Edmonton is joining in 2004 with Ottawa a possibility for 2005. After we get enough teams in the A-League, setting up a Canadian league can be an option Staying in the A-league is the only option Most of the CFL teams are still money losers along with some rather suspect owners. Even if they wanted to invest, they would choose another sport to do that. The Esks showed that when they bought the Trappers baseball team.
Vancouver's baseball team has played on the same nights as the Whitecaps have played. In fact the BC Lions have played an occasional home game at the smae time the Whitecaps have played. Vancouver still gets over 4000 for these games because they have built a strong fan base that will show up no matter what. Thats what you have to rely on not casual supporters. I also disagree that a father would choose to watch baseball over soccer. Soccer is not new here in Canada, although everybody would like to believe it is. I know I'd choose soccer over baseball and I'm an old fart (relatively speaking).
I think another problem Canadian soccer faces is there is no clear concenus on how to fix and improve it.This thread clearly demonstrates that, with all the different opinions,I mean no one agrees with the other person.The bottom line here in Toronto for example is,that there are many,many,many fans of the game here but,most (myself included) support tried and true established leagues from other parts of the world rather than our A-League,and this is a fact,weather you die-hard Canadian footie fans like that or not.The very day Canada can compete on the world stage,is when soccer will be supported in this country,no sooner or no later.
Just happened by... And I could not help noticing a reference to Canadian businessmen who were waiting to leap at a chance to finance soccer in Canada. Are they by any chance relatives of the US millionares who we keep hearing are waiting to leap foward and throw money at soccer as soon as the MLS folds? Is there like an international fraternity of stupid millionares? Just wondering.
Basically you are saying that people like you are the problem. You do not "support" tried and true established leagues from other parts of the world unless you are flying over there and attend their games. What you mean is that you "follow" them from a great distance. Big difference. There are soccer supporters and then theres people like you.
First off KrammerHead,What took you so long to respond to my take on this.Guess you have been busy out there supporting those exciting and thrilling Whitecap games,eh?Also your comment on being a "supporter" or "follower" is one I agree with.Either way though,me and thousands,and believe me it is thousands of futbol fans in Toronto of the "REAL" futbol can't all be wrong,can we?We want to see the best.Nothing more,nothing less.Like I said to your buddy on a previous thread,I admire guys like you who support the A-League,I hope one day to do the same but for now you "support" that and I will "follow" my brand of ball.No harm done.Peace.
Well if it's JUST that... [rolls eyes]. I guess that people in Toronto think that they should get to see better soccer than the people in Mexico, Brasil, Germany, France, Argentina, etc. because.... uh.... uh.....
No offense, but that attitude is about as pathetic as Torontonians who refuse to go to Argonaut games because they want an NFL team. Which, incidentally, they'll never get. On the subject of this thread title, it seems a little presumptuous. I mean that not even the CBL has the temerity to assume it can adopt a name that doesn't immediately explain what sport it is.