Vancouver Rise FC has decided to part ways with their inaugural hire, Steph Labbé, who served as the sporting director. The club, competing in the Northern Super League (NSL), made this announcement on Friday, citing a strategic reallocation of resources as the reason for the change.
Interim president Aditi Bhatt stated that as part of the club’s 2027 planning, they had to eliminate the sporting director position, leading to Labbé’s departure. Labbé, in an online statement, expressed gratitude for her time at Vancouver Rise FC but acknowledged the club’s new direction, signaling her readiness to move forward.
During Labbé’s tenure, Vancouver Rise FC clinched the inaugural NSL championship title last season and is currently contending for a playoff spot in the ongoing season with a record of 8 wins, 11 losses, and 4 draws.
Labbé, a former goalkeeper who achieved Olympic success at Tokyo 2020 by securing Canada’s first-ever Olympic soccer title, retired from playing in 2022. She took on the role of general manager of women’s soccer at Vancouver Whitecaps before joining Vancouver Rise FC.
The departure of Labbé follows another recent change within the organization, as head coach Anja Heiner-Møller was replaced by assistant coach Iain Darbyshire. Chief soccer officer Robyn Gayle will continue to oversee the club’s sporting department, as confirmed by the Rise press release.
