An advocate in Edmonton is advocating for the establishment of a professional women’s soccer team in the city. Marni Devlin Moses, a seasoned youth soccer coach, recognized the absence of a top-tier pro team in Edmonton after the launch of the Northern Super League (NSL) last year, the first and sole professional women’s soccer league in Canada with teams in major cities across the country.
In August, Moses initiated a petition urging the NSL to introduce a franchise in Edmonton, which has garnered over 1,200 signatures. A similar campaign in Winnipeg resulted in the successful acquisition of a franchise for the 2027 season.
The NSL acknowledged the petition in a statement to CBC News, expressing optimism about the Edmonton community’s support. The league highlighted the rising demand for professional women’s soccer as it progresses with its inaugural season.
Moses, emphasizing the lack of a professional pathway for female soccer players post-university, emphasized the significance of bringing a franchise to Edmonton with the advent of a Canadian league.
The enthusiastic response with over 1,200 signatures on the petition underscores the strong soccer community in Edmonton and the desire for women’s professional soccer. Moses, drawing from personal experience and aspirations, envisions the opportunity a local team would provide for current and future players.
With the NSL expanding and Winnipeg securing a franchise, Moses believes it is fitting for Edmonton to be the next addition to the league, especially with Calgary already in the mix, fostering a potential regional rivalry beneficial for the sport and the local community.
The growth in women’s soccer interest in Edmonton, evident in increasing team participation and spectator attendance at major events like the Women’s World Cup, signifies the city’s readiness for a professional women’s soccer team.
Moses calls for community support through signing and sharing the petition, stressing the broader benefits beyond sports, such as economic investment and infrastructure development. She points to the success of women’s soccer leagues in the U.S., exemplified by popular TV shows like “Ted Lasso,” as indicators of the potential success and excitement surrounding women’s soccer in Edmonton.
The momentum and anticipation surrounding the possibility of a professional women’s soccer team in Edmonton indicate a promising prospect for the city and its sports community.
