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Lydia Bedford Takes the Helm at Calgary Wild in New Women’s Football League

Former Leicester City women’s manager Lydia Bedford has been named the head coach of the Calgary Wild, marking a significant milestone in her coaching career as the team prepares to compete in Canada’s newly established Northern Super League (NSL).

Currently overseeing the under-18 men’s squad at Brentford, Bedford has also gained experience on the national stage, having worked with England’s under-19 women’s team during the recent Women’s European Championship.

The NSL is set to launch in April, positioning itself as the premier league for women’s football across Canada. The league is spearheaded by Project 8, an organization co-founded by former Canada international Diana Matheson, aiming to elevate the profile of women’s sports in the country.

In addition to Calgary Wild, the league will feature five other teams: Halifax Tides, Montreal Roses, AFC Toronto, Ottawa Rapid, and Vancouver Rise, creating a competitive six-team landscape for female athletes.

Bedford’s coaching journey includes a notable tenure at Leicester, where she managed the team for just under a year after her appointment in late 2021. During her time there, she successfully guided the team away from relegation threats in the Women’s Super League.

Following her stint at Leicester, Bedford took on the role of assistant manager with the Arsenal women’s team, and made headlines as the first woman to secure a coaching position at a Premier League club. Her diverse experiences and proven track record may prove invaluable as she leads Calgary Wild into an exciting new chapter in Canadian women’s football.

Source
www.bbc.com