A lightweight soccer ball designed for girls is getting play in Canada.
The Eir soccer ball was created in Denmark as a smaller, lighter alternative for teenage girls.
Currently, girls twelve and older play with the same size soccer ball as adult men.
The creator of Eir soccer balls said that puts strain on teens’ bodies and can cause injury.
The Toronto Soccer Association recently decided to use Eir soccer balls in competitive play for girls thirteen and under.
But the product may not be making its way into Winnipeg anytime soon.
Haydn Sloane-Seale with Winnipeg South End United Soccer Club isn’t convinced the new design is the only way to prevent injury.
“I think teaching better technique is a big thing. Strengthening the female soccer player through strength training,” said Sloane-Seale.
He’d like to see more research outlining the effects of Eir soccer balls before letting his players use it competitively.
The Manitoba Soccer Association said it currently has no plans to bring the ball to Manitoba.
