A new chapter starts this week for women’s soccer in Canada, as the first-ever pro league, the Northern Super League (NSL) kicks off on home soil.
On Wednesday night, nearly 15,000 fans will gather to watch Vancouver Rise FC and Calgary Wild FC battle it out in the season opener at B.C. Place Stadium at 10 p.m. ET.
The match will be available at CBCSports.ca and on the free CBC Gem streaming service.
For retired Canadian soccer icon Christine Sinclair, a co-owner of Rise FC, the emotions are starting to set in ahead of the season’s launch.
“We have literally waited our whole career for this moment and to see this next generation of Canadians have this opportunity…all the young kids in the stands that can dream a different dream than I had growing up,” she said. “Right now, I’m a little emotional.”
While Vancouver’s subsequent season games will take place at Swangard Stadium, the Burnaby native, who played 23 seasons as forward for Team Canada, says it’s only fitting that B.C Place hosts such a historic game.
“With the national team, there were so many iconic moments that happened here at B.C. Place, whether it was qualifying for London, massive games from the World Cup in 2015,” Sinclair told CBC Sports. “Vancouver was the first team to jump on board, and Calgary actually was the second. So it’s only fitting that these two teams get to launch the league.”
WATCH | Sinclair on NSL’s momentous kick-off:
Canadian soccer legend and co-owner of Vancouver Rise FC joins Andi Petrillo to discuss the NSL’s momentous kick-off. Check out the full interview on the web.
Chance to play at home
For the Canadian players, the NSL is proving a long-awaited opportunity to play at home.
“Talking to Shannon Woeller this morning, the emotion she’s going to feel, because she’s finally getting to play professionally at home,” Sinclair said of the Vancouver native, who was the first player to sign with Rise FC. “And if that takes you a couple minutes to get into the game at the start, like that’s okay, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Don’t try to hide from your emotions and hide from you know, whether that’s nerves or whatever, enjoy the ride.”
The league, co-founded by former Canada women’s national soccer player Diana Matheson, consists of six Canadian-based teams in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax.
Each team roster has both Canadian and International talent, including Team Canada veterans Quinn, Desiree Scott and Erin McLeod.
It’s the dreams of these athletes, as well as past pros like Sinclair, which motivates NSL president, Christina Litz, to make the league successful.
“The folks who have played this game, the women who have played this game at the highest levels on behalf of our country and knowing that they dreamed of this…this is something that motivates all of us every single day,” Litz told CBC Sports. “We have to do this for them.”
Litz spent five years as chief marketing, digital and strategy officer with the CFL, and then went on to serve as Woodbine Entertainment Group’s vice-president of business development and revenue.
From her seat as league president, she’s not only looking to have a good first season, but she’s aiming to build something that lasts.
“I don’t want to take too much stock in the first game, I want to take more stock in the last game. And know that by the end of the season we have set the foundations for multiple seasons to come,” Litz said.
“Let’s not just make this a moment. Let’s just make this the beginning of something sustained and long lasting and here for decades to come.”
WATCH | Litz says new league honours those who have paved the way:
Christina Litz on how the new league honours those who have paved the way, and what will set the it apart.
Start of something sustainable
Ahead of Wednesday’s season opener, Sinclair is on the same page.
“This is the magical moment, but…it’s just the beginning of bigger and brighter things,” Sinclair said. “People like to support winning teams. It’s getting people in the stands week-in and week-out. ”
The 41-year-old also took the opportunity to highlight the magnitude of the NSL in adding to the growth of women’s sports in Canada.
“Women’s sports, time and time again over recent years have proven that if you put us in stadiums, if you put us on TV, if you market us, people will come. People show up. People will spend money,” she said. “I just hope those naysayers give it [NSL] a chance. Give us a chance to prove them wrong.”