Winnipeg welcomes professional women’s soccer
Winnipeg is set to host its first professional women’s sports team, a new franchise in the Northern Super League (NSL). The expansion was announced on Tuesday, marking the seventh team to join Canada’s professional women’s soccer league. This development is significant for the city, which has not previously had a professional women’s sports team.
The initiative was spearheaded by local figures, including Desiree Scott, an Olympic gold medalist known as ‘The Destroyer’ during her playing career. Scott has been a vocal advocate for a professional women’s team in her hometown and has actively worked over the past year to make this a reality. She will serve as the Vice President of Community and Player Experience for the new club.
Co-founding the franchise with Scott is Rob Gale, a prominent figure in the local soccer scene. Gale previously served as the inaugural head coach and general manager for Valour FC, Winnipeg’s professional men’s club, for parts of four seasons. He will take on the role of Chief Sporting Officer for the new NSL team. Gale expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity, noting that Scott approached him about the project last year.
NSL President Christina Litz highlighted Winnipeg’s strong desire for the team, which stood out during the league’s search for expansion cities. The NSL had announced its intention to expand into central or western Canada last fall. Litz mentioned a sold-out screening of ‘The Pitch’ at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights in January as a key moment that solidified Winnipeg’s selection, showcasing the local enthusiasm for soccer.
The involvement of Scott and Gale was also a crucial factor for the league. Litz stated that their participation ensures the club will uphold the standards the league aims to build. The support from organizations like the Manitoba Soccer Association and Winnipeg Soccer Federation further contributed to Winnipeg being identified as a strong market for expansion.
Team debut and future plans
The new Winnipeg NSL team, which has not yet received an official name, is scheduled to debut in spring 2027. Details regarding the team’s branding, including its name, logo, and colour scheme, will be announced at a later date. The expansion announcement follows a recent $30 million investment in the NSL from European sports firm Apex. A local minority group has also acquired a 30 per cent stake in the new franchise, and discussions are ongoing with various levels of government to secure additional funding.
Scott, who came out of retirement to play in the NSL’s inaugural season with the Ottawa Rapid, has firsthand experience with the league’s product. She believes that Winnipeg holds untapped potential for female athletes. She noted that eyes will now be on the province and the prairies to see the talent available.
Despite the recent cessation of operations for Valour FC, the city’s professional men’s team, Scott, Gale, and Litz remain optimistic about the new women’s franchise. They point to the success of other professional sports teams in Winnipeg, such as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Winnipeg Jets, and Winnipeg Sea Bears, as well as the strong support shown when the Professional Women’s Hockey League played a game in the city in March.
Scott emphasized the unique market for women’s sports, noting the absence of professional women’s sports teams between Calgary, Toronto, and Minneapolis. She believes this positions Winnipeg as a central hub for women’s soccer. The league’s momentum, with its six original franchises in Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, Ottawa, and Vancouver, generated over $30 million in league-wide revenue and saw 275,000 fans attend matches in its inaugural season.
A key question that remains is the team’s home venue. The city agreed to provide $600,000 towards upgrading the Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex to support a professional team. However, it has not been confirmed if the Winnipeg NSL team will play there or when such an arrangement would begin.
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Source: winnipegfreepress.com
