FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BRAMPTON, ON (December 21, 2021) – Today, Mayor Patrick Brown, Councillors, the Brams United Girls Soccer Club, and Olympic Gold Medalists Ashley Lawrence and Kadeisha Buchanan unveiled the signs for the Ashley Lawrence and Kadeisha Buchanan Fields at Creditview Sandalwood Park. Brampton soccer players Lawrence and Buchanan helped lead Team Canada to its gold medal win at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Lawrence started all six of Canada’s soccer matches at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and played full time in four of them. Lawrence captained Canada’s under-17 teams at the CONCACAF Championship and FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2012 after representing Canada at the 2010 FIFA U-17 World Cup when she was just 15 years old. She was named the under-17 Canadian Player of the Year twice (2011-12).Click here to learn more.
Buchanan played full time in each of Canada’s six soccer matches at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, totaling 600 minutes to lead the team as Canada won the gold medal. She won the FIFA Women’s World Cup Young Player Award in 2015, was nominated for the FIFA Ballon D’Or, and was named the Canadian female player of the year for 2015. She went on to earn Canadian player of the year honours in 2017 and 2020 as well. Click here to learn more.
Brampton Recreation is dedicated to supporting youth in sport. The City offers a variety of entry-level developmental drop-in and registered sports programs dedicated to encouraging children and youth to explore and build on their interests in athletics. The City also coordinates the Brampton Sport Alliance (BSA), representing affiliated youth sports groups in Brampton. The BSA provides a voice for youth sports groups and a forum for these groups to share solutions to common challenges facing volunteer-based youth sport organizations. Learn more at www.brampton.ca/recreation.
Quotes
“On behalf of the City of Brampton, we are so proud to name these fields in honour of Bramptonians and Olympic gold medalists Ashley Lawrence and Kadeisha Buchanan. Lawrence and Buchanan are talented, hardworking, esteemed athletes who have shone a light on our great city.”
- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton
“Ashley Lawrence and Kadeisha Buchanan are role models for young people and young women in sport in our community and beyond. These women have shown incredible commitment to their pursuits in soccer, which has led them to be the athletes they are today, and brought the gold home to Canada – and to Brampton!”
- Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 & 5; Chair, Community Services, City of Brampton
"This summer, Ashley Lawrence and Kadeisha Buchanan brought pride to Canada and Brampton by helping win Team Canada’s gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. I encourage everyone to visit and play on the Ashley Lawrence and Kadeisha Buchanan Fields at Creditview Sandalwood Park in honour and celebration of these amazing young women.”
- Charmaine Williams, City Councillor, Wards 7 & 8; Vice-Chair, Community Services, City of Brampton
“Ashley Lawrence and Kadeisha Buchanan have been played integral roles not only on Canada Women’s National Soccer team or in their professional careers. As alumni of Brams United Soccer Club and City of Brampton natives, they continue to give back to their communities and inspire generations of kids in Brampton to follow your dreams. The recognition of their achievements through the renaming of 2 Brampton soccer fields is an investment that will continue to inspire thousands of young girls and boys in Brampton that they too could represent Canada and earn an Olympic Gold medal as well!”
- Melanie Bradley, General Manager, Brams United Girls Soccer Club
“This is truly an honour for this acknowledgment. A soccer field being named after me makes me think of the new generation of athletes , laughing , persevering and having fun. So I hope that whoever steps on the field the main goal is to enjoy the moment and have fun. The city of Brampton is where it all started and I it will forever be my home no matter where I am in the world. “
- Kadeisha Buchanan, Olympic Gold Medalist, Team Canada
“I would like to thank Patrick Brown and the city of Brampton for this honour. It brings me back to growing up and playing in Brampton. It’s nostalgic in a way and I hope to continue to make a mark for Brampton and Canada. This right here is for the next generation.”
- Ashley Lawrence, Olympic Gold Medalist, Team Canada
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MEDIA CONTACT
Media Relations, City of Brampton
mediarelations@brampton.ca
