A coach from Edmonton is advocating for the establishment of a professional women’s soccer team in the capital of Alberta.
Marni Devlin Moses has extensive experience as a high-level youth soccer coach. Following the launch of the Northern Super League (NSL) last year, she recognized the need for Edmonton to have its own elite professional team.
The NSL stands as Canada’s first and only professional women’s soccer league, featuring teams from Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Halifax.
In August, Moses initiated a petition aimed at securing a franchise for Edmonton, which has already garnered over 1,200 signatures. A similar petition was started by organizers in Winnipeg, who successfully obtained a franchise for the 2027 season.
On Friday, the NSL acknowledged the petition in a statement to CBC News, noting that while no expansion decisions have been finalized, the enthusiasm from the Edmonton community is encouraging.
“The strong demand for professional women’s soccer is incredibly uplifting as we prepare for our inaugural season,” the league remarked.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Edmonton has yet to have a professional women’s soccer team. A new petition aims to change that, spearheaded by local coach, Marni Devlin Moses.
What motivated you to launch this petition at this time?
I have been coaching soccer for many years, focusing on elite youth girls’ teams.
I witness the dedication of these young athletes daily, yet once they transition to university, they lack a professional pathway.
With Canada finally having a league, I felt it was crucial to advocate for a franchise in Edmonton.
With the petition exceeding 1,200 signatures, what does this indicate about the community’s reaction?
It demonstrates that Edmonton has a vibrant soccer community eager to see women’s professional soccer thrive.
I see this firsthand. Although I still play recreationally, I know I won’t reach a professional level.
Marni Devlin Moses hopes to establish a professional soccer team in Edmonton to inspire her elite players.
However, it would have been thrilling for me as a young player to have had that opportunity and to envision myself competing right here in my hometown.
I truly hope we can create that possibility for the young girls I coach today.
For those unfamiliar with the NSL, could you share more details about it?
The Northern Super League currently features seven teams, with Winnipeg recently awarded a franchise. Thus, introducing another team in the West makes perfect sense.
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With Calgary already having a team, it is logical to expand into Edmonton. The city boasts a large soccer community, filled with many girls, and establishing this team could create an exciting rivalry with Calgary.
I see this as a fantastic opportunity.
How would you assess the popularity of women’s soccer in Edmonton? Have you observed any changes in recent years?
I believe its popularity has been steadily increasing.
Having coached for several years, I’ve noticed the emergence of more girls’ teams and an increasing number of girls aspiring to reach higher levels.
People are actively seeking opportunities to be recognized and to advance, making this a viable path to pursue a career in professional sports, which has not been available to women in soccer in Canada for quite some time.
What does the excitement surrounding this league signify for players and fans?
Edmonton has a vibrant sports culture; we are a sports city. You may have witnessed the warm-up matches for the World Cup that attracted large crowds, even in the rain.
This clearly indicates a strong interest in soccer within the city.
During the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Edmonton, attendance was enormous.
You could spot many young girls in the audience dreaming of being on the field.
I believe the excitement has been building over the years, and Edmonton is undoubtedly ready for this development.
What additional message would you like to convey to those wanting to support this initiative?
We require several things, particularly community support showcased through this petition. I encourage everyone to sign it and share it within your networks, including friends, family, and local soccer or sports communities.
Moreover, we need to explore how we can attract investment to Edmonton, as this venture goes beyond just girls playing soccer. It represents a significant business and economic investment opportunity in the city, with potential infrastructure development, such as a women’s soccer stadium.
We are witnessing growth in women’s soccer, especially in the U.S. with their National Women’s Soccer League.
There are even television shows, like this season of Ted Lasso, which centers around a women’s soccer team.
There is a lot of enthusiasm surrounding this initiative – it’s fresh and exciting.
I believe there’s significant enthusiasm surrounding us at this moment, presenting a wonderful opportunity for the city.