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Northern Super League Launches with Enthusiastic Start
The inaugural week of the Northern Super League wrapped up successfully, garnering positive feedback from fans and organizers alike. The excitement surrounding this new six-team competition is palpable, as the hard work to build its future commences.
High-profile matches kicked off at two of Canada’s premier venues, B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver and BMO Field in Toronto, with attendance figures reaching 14,018 and 14,518 respectively. Vancouver Rise FC faced Calgary Wild FC in the opening match on Wednesday, claiming victory with a narrow 1-0 score, courtesy of a penalty from Quinn. On Saturday, Montreal Roses FC secured their own 1-0 win against AFC Toronto, with Tanya Boychuk capitalizing on a defensive misstep early in the game.
Kevin Blue, CEO and General Secretary of Canada Soccer, expressed optimism about the league’s potential impact on women’s football in Canada. He stated, “I think certainly (it will) solidify and continue to accelerate Canada as a global leader in women’s football,” highlighting the significance of this new chapter for the sport.
Blue also praised one of the league’s co-founders, Diana Matheson, for her relentless efforts in establishing the league. “It’s just amazing what Diana has been able to build here… It’s such an amazing contribution to the growth of women’s football in Canada,” he remarked.
Promising Young Talent on Display
The future of Canadian women’s soccer was showcased during the inaugural matches, with standout performances from young athletes. Notable players included 17-year-old forward Kaylee Hunter and 22-year-old midfielder Nikki Small from Toronto, alongside 23-year-old goalkeeper Anna Karpenko from Montreal.
Despite some initial scrappiness in gameplay—a typical occurrence for teams just starting out—the enthusiasm and talent on display were encouraging for fans and supporters of women’s sports. Montreal coach Robert Rositoiu remarked, “Women in Quebec, women in Canada, they deserve this… It’s important that we keep showing what we showed today, to inspire more young girls to dream. It’s on.”
Plans for Growth and Expansion
Looking ahead, both Vancouver and Toronto will be playing their remaining home games at smaller venues, specifically Swangard Stadium and York Lions Stadium respectively. All six teams are set to compete next week, with Calgary traveling to face Halifax Tides FC and Toronto visiting Ottawa Rapid FC, while Montreal heads to Vancouver.
Canada’s national women’s coach, Casey Stoney, who has experience in the Women’s Super League in England, emphasized the importance of finding suitable venues as the league develops. “It’s about playing where’s suitable at the right time… you have to be patient. You have to give it time to grow,” she said, advocating for appropriate investment in infrastructure to support this growth.
Matheson, who is also the league’s chief growth officer, has ambitious plans for expansion, aiming to add two new teams by 2027. However, she acknowledged the challenges posed by the lack of suitable venues in Canada. She noted, “We have a massive gap (in infrastructure) in this country… if we’re in the wrong stadium, you don’t get the atmosphere.”
In drawing comparisons to countries like Denmark and Australia, Matheson pointed out that they have mid-sized stadiums for every half-million people, whereas Canada only has one for every eight million, stressing the need for better facilities to foster the league’s growth.
Fostering an Independent League
Matheson takes great pride in the Independence of the Northern Super League, which sets it apart from many women’s leagues globally that are often affiliated with men’s organizations. “Women’s football is still, incredibly, the second decision they make… it is a huge strength for us globally that we have a league that is independent,” she affirmed.
In a pivotal moment for the league, Matheson called on fans to rally their support by attending games and engaging with the league. “We’ve been working pretty hard behind the scenes for 2 1/2 years to get to this point… Now it’s up to the fans to help us build this community,” she encouraged, emphasizing the shared responsibility in creating a vibrant atmosphere for Canada’s women’s soccer.
As the Northern Super League embarks on its journey, it carries the hopes of many for the growth of women’s football in Canada, matched only by the commitment and passion of its players, coaches, and supporters.
Source
globalnews.ca