Push to bring women’s professional soccer to Edmonton

Edmonton is being courted by two local women to become the first city in the nation to host a professional women's soccer team. Hoping to capitalize on the surge in popularity of women's sports, the women are hoping to convince the Northern Super League (NSL) to expand and bring a team to Alberta's capital. The NSL, co-founded by former Team Canada player Diana Matheson, currently has seven teams signed up for its third season, including cities like Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Halifax. However, Edmonton remains an outsider.

The NSL reps visited Edmonton a few weeks ago to discuss the possibility of expansion. However, the push to bring a team to the city faces three main hurdles. First, there must be community support, so a petition is circulating to gauge public interest. Second, a home field is needed, such as Foote Field or Clarke Stadium. Finally, there must be investors willing to back the venture.

Local soccer coach Marni Devlin Moses and NSL alumna and assistant coach Autumn Wynn are spearheading the push. Moses highlights the city's abundance of talented players, praising their passion and dedication. "These girls work so hard. They live and breathe soccer. And I would love for them to have a pathway to the professionals in their own country, their own backyard," she says.

Wynn, who hails from the University of Alberta, expresses her excitement at the prospect of transitioning from university soccer to a professional league. "Being able to play the sport that I love and getting paid to do it, I think it's just super exciting," she remarks.

If successful, Edmonton would become the first city in Canada to host a women's professional soccer team.