Abbotsford – For her dedication to her sport, teamwork, and her recent Olympic gold medal win for women’s soccer, Sophie Schmidt is the 2021 recipient of the Community Champion Achievement Award.
A lifelong athlete, Sophie started playing youth soccer in Abbotsford at eight years old, joining the Abbotsford Rush club team and then playing for W.J. Mouat Secondary School. At the age of 17, she represented Canada on the international stage for the first time and earned her 206th cap (appearance in a game at an international level) in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in July. She is currently tied for the second-most caps in Canadian women’s soccer. As a four-time Olympian, earning bronze medals in the Rio 2016 and London 2012 games along with the gold in the Tokyo games, and supporting Team Canada in numerous other international championships, Sophie is an inspiration to aspiring soccer players and her hometown community of Abbotsford.
“On behalf of Abbotsford City Council, I am very pleased to recognize Sophie Schmidt with the Community Champion Achievement Award. Sophie’s athletic performance and championship record are both impressive and admirable,” said Mayor Henry Braun. “She has repeatedly made Canada and the City of Abbotsford proud, and exemplifies what it means to be a true champion.”
The Community Champion Achievement Award is given to an Abbotsford individual, group, or organization who has achieved National or International recognition in a variety of areas, including, but not limited to: academia, sports, arts, and culture; or performed a noteworthy deed which is considered of benefit to the community.
As a recipient of the Community Champion Achievement Award, Sophie’s name will be engraved on a paving stone that will be placed along the city-wide Discovery Trail within Abbotsford’s Community Champions pavilion. The Community Champion Achievement award ceremony will be hosted on October 18th for invited guests.
