Forty years have passed since the inaugural national women’s team camp convened in Winnipeg. Government officials and representatives from the Northern Super League came together on Tuesday to disclose the location for the new team in the city.
During a press conference, league president Christina Litz, a Manitoban, proudly revealed that the new Winnipeg team would have its stadium constructed at the Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex. Notably, the grounds hosted the first national training camp of the Canadian women’s national team in 1986.
The upcoming facility will be a modular stadium integrated within the complex. Winnipeg was designated as the host city for the first expansion team of the professional women’s soccer league in the Northern Super League on July 14, expanding the league to seven teams. The league received a $30 million investment from international sports firm APEX this summer to bolster its growth.
The Northern Super League is currently in its second season, with the Winnipeg team scheduled to debut in its new modular stadium in the following season. This significant development was made possible, in part, by the contributions of Manitoba’s Desiree Scott, a retired player and Olympic gold-medalist.
Litz emphasized the pivotal role of the Canadian women’s national team members in the formation and success of the Northern Super League, particularly acknowledging Desiree Scott’s indispensable contribution to the establishment of NSL Winnipeg.
Desiree Scott, the co-founder of the franchise alongside Rob Gale, expressed her elation at witnessing the realization of their dream with the announcement of the new stadium. Various levels of government are investing in the project, with the federal government contributing $2.1 million, the province providing $750,000, and the city contributing $600,000.
The project will be spearheaded by SixFive Stadium Experience, a Vancouver-based firm. Adam Torpey, the firm’s vice-president of business development, highlighted that the stadium’s design will be scalable to accommodate the club’s growth over time, offering an enhanced experience for both players and fans.
The stadium’s planned capacity is around 4,500 seats, and Torpey emphasized that the design aims to bring supporters closer to the action on the field, fostering an energetic atmosphere. Mayor Scott Gillingham remarked on the significance of having a suitable facility for professional soccer to enhance the fan experience and create a vibrant atmosphere.
Rob Gale, the team’s chief sporting officer, affirmed the long-term commitment of the team to Winnipeg, emphasizing the importance of the stadium in signaling the city’s dedication to women’s sports. He underscored the stadium’s role in showcasing Winnipeg’s seriousness to sponsors, broadcasters, and other cities in the league.
Gale expressed his belief that having a dedicated home for professional women’s soccer in Winnipeg would serve as inspiration for young girls aspiring to follow in the footsteps of players like Desiree Scott. He envisioned a future where girls could witness their sport being celebrated in a stadium built specifically for their league, fostering dreams and aspirations for the next generation of female athletes.
