Two soccer teams in rural Manitoba are hoping to make it to the FIFA Women's World Cup soccer matches in Winnipeg this summer through online fundraising.

Michael Knox, a physical-education teacher at Helen Betty Osborne Ininu Education Resource Centre, is heading up the cause for the boys and girls teams he coaches in Norway House, Man.

In total, Knox hopes to get 14 kids in Grades 5 through 10 the 800 kilometres to Winnipeg for the games that kick off June 8.

In their most recent season, that wrapped up in March, the boys team came in third in the Frontier Schools division, while the girls team was crowned league champions for the first time.

The girls soccer team at Helen Betty Osborne Ininu Education Resource Centre came in first in their most recent season for the first time. (GoFundMe) "I'm trying to grow the game of soccer here and just see it improve here in the community for the youth here," Knox told CBC's Information Radio. "I think it's really important for the kids to be able to see the game played at the highest level."

Part of Knox's concern is the community's lack of extracurricular activities available to young people. There is a hockey program that is well established in Norway House, but there aren't any other sports offered outside of school. This summer, Knox hopes to see the start of a budding youth soccer league.

There are also a number of challenges keeping kids in the community from getting involved. Knox said some parents don't have a phone at home or a means of transportation, while others can't afford to put their kids in sports.

"So there are definitely some barriers. That's why we want to raise the money for this trip so that the kids don't have to pay anything for it."

"I'm pretty excited because it's going to be such an inspirational thing to watch," said Shyla Folster, a soccer player in the eighth grade. "It's actually great for me because I'm really into a lot of sports."

The games will take place in Winnipeg between June 8-16. Folster said she is most excited about setting foot into the stadium and seeing the enormity of the field they play on, since she and her team are used to playing inside smaller gymnasiums.

The group has already raised $1,840 on their GoFundMe webpage and Knox said they will need $3,500 to make the trip possible, covering the costs of transportation, accommodation and food.

Knox said the students have some other fundraisers planned for the next couple of weeks, including pizza sales, hot dog sales and a 50/50 draw.

Another side-fundraiser run by Knox is collecting $2 from any of his players he catches with junk food.

"I think it is something that will stick with them for the rest of their lives, I hope anyways," Knox said.