El Paso, TX (June 15, 2018) – Before entering her fourth year as a key member of the RMC Paladins women's soccer team, Emma Owen is getting a taste of international competition at the 2018 World Military Women's Football Championship, which is organized by the Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) and hosted this year at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.
"Being on the Military national team has been a goal of mine from the moment I started playing soccer for the RMC Paladins," Owen said. "It is such great feeling to know that your hard work throughout the year, in terms of soccer and physical fitness, has paid off."
After starting all 16 games at centre back in the 2017-18 season for the Paladins, Owen was named a co-captain for the upcoming year. In addition to the benefits of playing with and against high caliber athletes from around the world, Owen is looking forward to bettering herself as a leader for her fourth year at RMC.
"The [CISM] team is comprised of women across the country who hold leadership roles in their day-to-day lives, alongside being on the military national team," she said. "I will be able to gain insight into many different types of leadership roles on the field and be able to increase my leadership presence when I return in the fall."
With only her fourth year standing between her and the start of a career in Air Force Logistics, Owen notes there are advantages to the World Military Championship that go beyond the field of play.
"Having the opportunity to network and connect with players from across the country, as well as around the world, is an experience in itself - let alone playing against them," Owen said. "It will allow me to learn more about how other militaries work, and Canada’s international relations."
For most U SPORTS soccer players, starting your career means transitioning to local senior leagues or leaving the sport entirely. Because of her future in the Canadian Armed Forces, Owen has the chance to continue playing internationally.
"To know that I can continue to play soccer at a high level after RMC is really motivating," she said. "This being my fourth year at the college would usually mean that it is my last year of soccer at such a level, however, the military team is an opportunity to continue to play the sport I love."
Of the 23 names on the roster this year, Owen joins nine former Paladins soccer players.
"To see all the former athletes from RMC is encouraging to know that your training at RMC is not limited to four or five years on the college team, but can be extended throughout your military career," Owen said. "It emphasizes the importance of training hard whilst at RMC to reach such levels as the military national team."
As part of Group A, Team Canada is scheduled to play four round-robin games before the tournament shifts straight into the medal rounds. All times are in Eastern Daylight Time.
Friday June 22: Canada vs Netherlands 11PM
Sunday June 24: Canada vs Korea 11PM
Tuesday June 26: Canada vs USA 11PM
Thursday June 28: Canada vs China 11PM
Tuesday July 3: Gold (9PM) & Bronze (12PM) medal matches
Group B consists of France, Germany, Bahrain, Cameroon, and Brazil. Click the link for the full schedule and results.