Stephanie Labbe had just been introduced as the Vancouver Whitecaps general manager of womenB次元官网网址檚 soccer when the former goaltender for CanadaB次元官网网址檚 Olympic champion team addressed the issue of abuse in sport.

Labbe pointed to a recent report detailing abuse and misconduct in the National WomenB次元官网网址檚 Soccer League in the United States.

B次元官网网址淭hat doesnB次元官网网址檛 just happen south of the border,B次元官网网址� said Labbe, a former player with the NWSL Washington Spirit and North Carolina Courage. B次元官网网址淚t happens in Canada, not just in soccer, in all of sports.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 going to be a voice to continue to advocate for athletes to have safe spaces to speak about these issues.B次元官网网址�

An emotional Labbe paused to fight back tears when she talked about B次元官网网址渁 culture of silenceB次元官网网址� that B次元官网网址渨rapped around us a lot.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淎buse has no place in our sport, in any sport in Canada,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淗aving this job in this platform, I want to tell any victim, anybody who has ever faced abuse or been in a challenging situation, I am here for you.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 going to stand up for you, to continue to fight for you.B次元官网网址�

Axel Schuster, the Whitecaps chief executive officer and sporting director, said LabbeB次元官网网址檚 job will be to oversee and transform the Major League Soccer teamB次元官网网址檚 womenB次元官网网址檚 program.

B次元官网网址淲e want to send out a signal we give the responsibility and leadership of our girls and women side to somebody we know will do a great job and she will also question a lot of things and she will not be shy of bringing up things she doesnB次元官网网址檛 like,B次元官网网址� said Schuster.

B次元官网网址淚 want to have young, dynamic leaders but I also want to have leaders that have an opinion and that challenge the organization and challenge me.B次元官网网址�

Labbe said one of her goals is to help create a womenB次元官网网址檚 professional soccer league in Canada.

B次元官网网址淚 believe truly that is the best step forward for this country,B次元官网网址� said the Edmonton native who turns 36 on Monday. B次元官网网址淐anadian women are some of the best players in the world.

B次元官网网址淭o create a domestic league and provide opportunities for them to have the choice to stay home will not only give them that opportunity, it will give opportunities for all the youth growing up to aspire to a dream to play in that league. We have the opportunity to create a world class league.B次元官网网址�

Schuster said itB次元官网网址檚 frustrating that the women advancing through the Whitecaps system donB次元官网网址檛 have a domestic league as a goal.

Labbe played her college soccer at the University of Connecticut and made her first appearance with CanadaB次元官网网址檚 senior national team in 2008.

A rib injury to Erin McLeod resulted in Labbe taking over the starting goalkeeping duties for Canada at the 2016 Rio Olympics where the team won a bronze medal. At the Tokyo Games, Labbe missed a group match due to an injury then recorded cleans sheets against Brazil in the quarterfinal and the U.S. in the semifinal.

She was in goal when Canada defeated Sweden in a shootout to win the gold medal.

Labbe retired from the national team in April.

She believes her experience as a goalkeeper playing in two Olympics, three Word Cups and with club teams in four countries, will help in her new role.

B次元官网网址淏eing a goalkeeper, you have to have a level of competence to direct people in front of you,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 understand the power of my voice and how I can affect change, how I can affect others around me.

B次元官网网址淚 also have the humility to know I donB次元官网网址檛 know everything, to ask questions, to be open to new ideas and opportunities and to really be able to collaborate with people around me to create the best possible outcomes in different situations.B次元官网网址�

Labbe was asked if she had any hesitation joining the Whitecaps following former womenB次元官网网址檚 coach Bob Birarda pleading guilty to four counts of sexual assault and sexual interference involving young female players he once coached.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 excited to be an advocate and a voice for change,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 will speak up when I see things that should be changed.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 know the club has taken some big steps in hiring some new positions to continue with pushing this club forward and be a safe sport place in this country.B次元官网网址�

Labbe said she will continue living in Calgary but will travel to Vancouver B次元官网网址渁s often I need to be.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址擩im Morris, The Canadian Press