Girls soccer teams inspired by Olympic success at Calgary tournament

More than 40 soccer teams are playing for provincial gold this weekend in Calgary and half of those teams are female.

Following Canada's bronze medal performance at the Rio Olympics, young girls are playing the sport with fresh motivation and enthusiasm.

• Calgary soccer underdogs defy odds, score their way to semifinals
• Calgary Cubs 'gunning for a national championship'

Every game is a tough contest and the best in young soccer players from across Alberta are hoping to make their mark.

13-year-old Hillary Ogoke, who plays for the Blizzard Bayern, says there's some excitement in the air.

"Recently we've been practicing twice a day so it's been pretty intense," Ogoke told CBC News.

She says it's a lot of hard work and commitment.

"It is not an easy sport, a lot of people think it's easy but it is not. It takes a lot of effort and time and practice."

The tier 1 to nationals tournament is the highest level of play in the U14 to U18 age brackets and for teams competing, some of the motivation is coming from Team Canada's bronze medal in the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics.

Natalie Girvitz, also 13 years old, already knows what she wants.

"Personally, I want to take this all the way," Girvitz said.

"Right now I'm on the Alberta team and I'm hoping that can lead me into something bigger."

The technical director of Alberta Soccer Association, Shaun Lowther, says Canada's win makes elite level women's soccer even more attainable.

"There's going to be at least one or two players that are playing here today, that will be involved in the national team. I mean history has made that happen," Lowther said.

"It's going to happen again in the future, there are potential Olympic players here."

That's the hope of many, as the tournament wraps Sunday at the Calgary Soccer Centre.

• MORE CALGARY NEWS |Calgary mixes community engagement with block party
• MORE CALGARY NEWS | Calgary girl, 4, dies in 'freak tragedy' while skateboarding inB.C.