The coveted FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy is set to travel more than 13,000 kms across Canada ending in Vancouver on May 31

OTTAWA, April 1, 2015 /CNW/ - Over 60 special guests joined the Hon. Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport); John Herdman, Head Coach of the Canadian National Women's Soccer Team; and current FIFA Women's World Cup winner Nozomi Yamago (Japan), to officially launch the FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola in Ottawa today. Over two months, the first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola will travel more than 13,000 kms, making 12 stops across Canada including Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.

"Coca-Cola is excited to bring Canadians their first up-close look at the official FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy in our nation's capital today," says John Guarino, President of Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada. "Over the next two months, the FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola will travel from coast-to-coast, bringingCanadians together in their passion for women's soccer and helping to inspire the next generation of female athletes."

As the most popular sport in the world, the beautiful game of soccer has been embraced by more than 270 million people1. In Canada, over 41 per cent of all registered soccer players are female and over 265,000 are youth players (18 and under)2. This is the first time the official FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy has toured a country prior to the tournament, giving Canadians an exclusive and rare chance to get up close and personal with this coveted prize leading up to the start of the tournament on June 6th.

"As a leading sport nation, Canada has an incredible sporting system that offers an overwhelming number of ways for Canadians to enjoy sport and active living," says the Hon. Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport)."As we prepare to celebrate the single largest women's sporting event right here at home, I hope Canadians take advantage of all of the opportunities they have to be involved in sport in Canada."

At each stop, fans will get a taste of the tournament at the custom-designed Fan Experience where they can go head-to-head with the Coca-Cola Ultimate Goalie, record a cheer for their favourite team at the Video Celebration, hang out in the FIFA locker room or TSN Sports Desk, play eight-person foosball and learn a trick or two from expert freestylers. The experience takes guests through the Winner's Tunnel, which leads the way to the trophy display where fans will get their photo with the official FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy. There will also be a special guest appearance from Official Mascot, Shume! Afterwards, guests will cap off their experience with a perfectly served, ice-cold Coca-Cola, Coke Zero or Diet Coke; each in a specially designed, limited edition, collectible aluminum bottle.

"I am honoured to have been invited to help launch the first FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola, representing Nadeshiko Japan. For me as a footballer, the Trophy is a symbol of passion, celebration and national pride and I am pleased that people across Canada will have the opportunity to witness it ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup this year," said Nozomi Yamago, current FIFA Women's World Cup winner, Japan. "The FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy also represents the power women's football has today, promoting gender equality and inspiring social change. I hope that it will encourage many Canadian girls to join this beautiful game, just like the girls in Japan."

The FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola will be visiting 12 Canadian cities on the following dates:

April 3-4: Ottawa, ON April 9-12: Montreal, QC April 15: Quebec City, QC April 18-19: Halifax, NS April 24-26: Moncton, NB April 28: Kingston, ON April 30, May 1 & 3: Toronto, ON May 6: Hamilton, ON May 8-10: Winnipeg, MB May 16-18: Edmonton, AB May 22-24: Calgary, AB May 29-31: Vancouver, BC

To view and download high-res images and b-roll to accompany this release, please click here: https://hkstrategies.egnyte.com/fl/bLpFICSLrj

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Ottawa Soccer Fans Celebrate Official Start of the first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola