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Welcome to CharmaineHooper.com |
Welcome to CharmaineHooper.com, Charmaine's official home on the internet.
News articles with a coloured background come directly from Charmaine.
Articles from all other sources have a white background.
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March 20th, 2006 |
Trip to Thunder Bay
Upon arrival into Thunder Bay, I was greeted by John Rider, the person whom I was in contact with prior
to coming to Thunder Bay. Also present, were the Lakehead Express U-12 and U-14 girls teams and other
club officicals welcoming me to this part of Canada I had never been to before. The teams brought a big
banner which read Lakehead Express Soccer and also the Provincial flag of Thunder Bay. I was presented
with roses, a backpack with the club's name and logo on the front and a lot of goodies inside. It was
definitely a great reception.
I then went to my hotel and in my room was a gift basket filled with fruit, nuts, cheese, snacks and
many other goodies including a pastry treat unique to Thunder Bay, a Persian donut. For a little history,
it was named in honour of General Pershing of the First World War. Let me just say, it was the first
thing I sunk my teeth into and it was gone in a matter of seconds. A while later, I headed out to watch
the U-12 Lakehead Express U-12 girls team play against the U-11 boys. The boys won 4-2 but the girls were
determined to give the boys a fight until the final whistle. It was great to see how hard the girls played.
I was really into the game since I train and play with the guys and I understand how important it is to
always be on your toes, play quickly, run faster and all in all, be better in order to compete with and
against the guys.
After the game, I attended a very nice dinner with the Lakehead Express board members who helped to
organize my trip to Thunder Bay. They included:
John Rider - Express General Manager
Arthur ciddio - Express President
Dave Robertson - Express Vice President
Robert Zanette - Express Treasurer
Dave Dunn - Express Board member
Amy Start - Express Board member
Shari West - Express Board member
Maria Ciddio - Express Board member
Bob Ford - Express Board member
Brad Savela - Express Board member
Bruce Carli - Former Board member
Tom Sarvas - Former Board member
Rob Pasqualino - Soccer North West President
Keri Marshall - Thunder Bay Woman's Soccer Club
Tom Doyle - OSA Rep
The next morning, I met with about 20 women to run a clinic. Most of these women were over 30 and one was
over 40. I have to say, I was pretty impressed to see these older women still playing the sport they love
and having a good time. After the session, I had lunch with the women and then went to a soccer store to
sign autographs. I left the store with a Thunder Bay sweatshirt, a team toque and scarf to match and a
T-shirt. Later, I went back to relax at my hotel and made a few phone calls. Later on in the evening, I
joined in for a game between a U-17 girls team and a senior women's team. I played for one team in the
first half and played for the other team in the second half. Before the game began, Councillor Frank Pullia
presented me with a certificate which read,
<< The Council and Citizens of the City of Thunder Bay welcomes Charmaine Hooper to the Centre of Canada.
We extend to you a warm and cordial greeting. We hope you will enjoy your visit to our city. >>
I was also presented with 'the key to the city'. Pretty cool, I thought. Also, one of the teams presented me
with a framed photo of what I learned is a landmark of Thunder Bay, The Sleeping Giant. This is a formation
of mesas which resembles a giant lying on its back when viewed from the West to NW section of Thunder Bay.
I also received a purple moose wearing a necklace with an Amethyst pendant and a candle holder which was
surrounded by Amethyst, a violet or purple variety of quartz which is often used as an ornament. It just
seemed as if I was receiving a new gift every time I turned around.
The game was end to end action with a very good display of skills, good offense, good defense and hard play.
I switched teams at half time and in the second half, the action continued. At the end, the teams tied 2-2
and girls congratulated each other on a game well played. We then headed to Montana's Bar and Grill for some
eats and then turned in for the night.
Early the next morning, I met with U-12, U-14 and U-15 girls for one hour clinics each team. The sessions
were a lot of fun and it was great working with the all the girls. My trip to Thunder Bay was very busy but I
enjoyed meeting and working with all the players and all the quality individuals. All in all, I had a fantastic
weekend in Thunder Bay and I'm already thinking about a next trip sometime in the summer.
Photos coming soon... |
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January 10th, 2006 |
I was invited by FIFA President, Joseph S. Blatter, and the FIFA Executive Committee to attend the
FIFA World Player Gala 2006. The gala, with a "Football meets Mozart” theme, took place in the
Zurich Opera House on Monday, December 18.
The evening began when international soccer stars, FIFA officials, FIFA committee members and other
invited guests arrived at the opera house. I felt like a star attending the Grammys as I walked
down the red carpet with some of the world’s best-known players and fans jostled for position to
get photos of their favourites.
I was taken right away to have my make-up done as I was scheduled to present an award later on in
the evening. I then received instructions about what would take place before I went on stage and
where I would be seated during the show. After my briefing, I went to mix and mingle a little bit.
During the evening, I met some past and present women's national team players such as Doris Fitschen
(Germany), Julie Murray (Australia), Mercy Akide (Nigeria), Hege Riise (Norway) and Kristine Lilly
(USA). In addition to playing for their respective national teams, all of these women also played
in the WUSA.
All the invited guests were asked to find their seats in the theater well before the show began as
the event was televised in 150 countries around the world and had to start right on time. The show
lasted about 2 hours and during that time many awards were handed out, including the FIFA Fair Play
Award which I was asked to present to the fans of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Before my presentation
there was a video of the many highlights of the tournament.
Here is the text of my speech:
"The 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany went down in footballing history as the most spectacular World Cup
the world has ever known. It was a thrilling, attractive and fair event, with the teams showing great
respect for each other. The atmosphere inside and outside the stadiums was unique and it set an
example for others to follow. For weeks on end, Germany was one giant party for millions of people
of different nationalities, cultures, religions and languages. The 2006 FIFA World Cup was not only
a sporting event of the highest order, but also a stunning, perfect example of an event that can
bring people together and help to increase understanding among the people of this world.
Above all, it was the fans who made it possible, so I am delighted and honoured to give this year's
FIFA Fair Play Award to the fans of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and to present the award to Ms. Daniele
Schumann and Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu."
There is no doubt that the most anticipated awards of the evening were the FIFA World Player of the
Year and the Women’s World Player of the Year which were voted on by the world’s national team coaches
and captains, and presented to Fabio Cannavaro (Italy) and Marta (Brazil).
After all the awards were presented, invited guests attended the after-show dinner. All in all, it was
a spectacular evening for all who attended and most especially for the award winners.
See the GALLERY for photos of this event. |
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