The countdown is over—Vancouver Rise FC is ready to make history. As one of six founding clubs in the new Northern Super League, Vancouver’s first professional women’s soccer team kicks off its inaugural season on April 16 at BC Place against Calgary. But for President Sinead King, this moment marks more than just the start of a season—it’s a movement years in the making. We caught up with Sinead to talk about what it means to bring pro women’s soccer to the city, how Rise is building a legacy that goes far beyond the pitch, and why this is a game-changer for generations of fans to come. —Noa Nichol
After nearly a year of anticipation, the season opener is finally here. What’s going through your mind as Vancouver Rise FC prepares to take the field for the first time?
Excitement and anticipation.
I’ve been working on this for a year but so many others have been working on bringing this vision to life for many years. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built. Everything from the brand identity (name, logo, jerseys) to the incredible people behind the scenes, the coaching staff, and of course our players. We couldn’t be more ready to launch.
April 16 will mark the team’s official debut at BC Place—an iconic venue in Canadian sports. Why was it important to kick off the season in such a major way?
Vancouver has an incredible soccer legacy, especially when it comes to the women’s game. Back in 2015, BC Place was electric during the FIFA Women’s World Cup, with 55,000 fans filling the stadium for the semi final and final. What an unforgettable moment in Canadian sports history.
The city is also home to players like Burnaby local Christine Sinclair. She is known as the greatest to ever play the game. Just last year, BC Place hosted Sinclair’s retirement game, a fitting tribute to her iconic career, which has come somewhat full circle. Sinclair is an owner of Vancouver Rise, one of Canada’s newest clubs and our season opener at BC Place is less than a week away. Legends like Sophie Schmidt, Julia Grosso and Jordyn Huitema are also Vancouver-born.
Additionally, our owner Greg Kerfoot, also the majority owner of the Whitecaps, has been a longtime champion of women’s soccer in Canada. He was among the first to back Diana Matheson when she set out to build this league, and his support has been instrumental every step of the way.
Following the opener, games will move to Swangard Stadium. Can you tell us more about that decision and what fans can expect from the game-day experience there?
People love Swangard. If you speak to people from Vancouver everybody that’s played or watched sports growing up has a Swangard memory. The Whitecaps 86ers played there from 1987 to 2000. The Whitecaps women’s team played at the stadium throughout the 2000s. International matches hosting the Canadian national team often with crowds over 10,000 have been played at Swangard and let’s not forget that the FIFA U20 World Cup was held at Swangard in 2007.
With the surrounding forest and mountain views, you couldn’t find a more beautiful stadium. It has a grass pitch which fans and players love and it’s a good size to start with (5500 seats). We’re confident the stands will be filled throughout the season and this will give investors a reason to invest to expand and meet fan demand. The stadium also provides the ability to have additional elements like food trucks onsite – it’s filled with family areas, and all around a fun place to be.
This isn’t just the start of a soccer season—it’s the beginning of a movement for women’s professional sport in Vancouver. How does it feel to be part of this historic moment?
Women’s sports is booming and it’s a privilege to be paving the way.
As someone that played football in the UK and was with Chelsea FC Academy and had to make the choice between pursuing a playing career or prioritizing studies (chose studies because it didn’t feel like there was such a thing as pro soccer for women) – it feels like a full circle moment to be using the decision I made then to study, to build a career where I can change the options for the new generation.
The landscape of women’s sport is changing and it’s exciting. In January, Vancouver hosted a PWHL takeover that drew 20,000 fans to Rogers Arena. We’ve seen the growing momentum of the WNBA and the exciting launch of Toronto Tempo, not to mention the emergence of the NSL and our very own Vancouver Rise FC.
You’ve had a year to build, plan, and connect with the community. What has surprised or inspired you the most during this time?
I’ve been really inspired by how eager everybody is to support – volunteer, make connections, brainstorm ideas, and also everyone’s patience. Everybody understands what we are trying to do and just wants to help make it happen.
Building something meaningful takes time, and it’s been amazing to see how our supporters not only get that but actually root for the process just as much as the outcome. There’s this collective energy of “we’re in this together” — and that’s been both humbling and deeply motivating.
It’s also been amazing to see a very vibrant mix of fans showing up. Everyone from young girls and boys, to proud girl dads, older women, and even people who’ve never followed soccer but are excited to support a women’s league.
Local clubs are incredibly well organized and passionate and have always made a really dedicated effort to be a part of the broader community. We want to build on all the fantastic work that’s been carried out by local clubs over the last decades and naturally integrate and build on that legacy.
Representation matters. How do you hope Vancouver Rise FC will impact the next generation of young girls in this city and beyond?
Representation is at the core of everything we’re building. This club is more than just a team, it’s a platform to inspire the next generation of young girls across BC.
Seeing women play professionally in their own city has the ability to send a powerful message: they belong here. They belong in sports. On the pitch as players, as coaches, medics, referees, photographers, presidents, announcers, and passionate fans. The message is that, however they want to belong to the game, they can.
Through community outreach, we’re committed to creating pathways that empower young girls not only to play but to thrive in every aspect of the game. If even one young girl sees our team and thinks, “that could be me one day,” then we’ll be making a meaningful impact.
The buzz is building across the league. What are you most excited for this season—from on the pitch to in the stands?
The different fan representation in the stands. I was a season ticket holder for QPR FC (a team in the UK) from ages 8 to 23. I didn’t appreciate it at the time but looking back I was one of the only females in the stands and it was a very male, rowdy atmosphere. Looking back I think about how much more I would have enjoyed it with other women/girls to enjoy the day out and match with and probably would’ve felt less like I had to blend in.
We had the Whitecaps Girls Elite CONCACAF game at BC Place last year and I loved hearing the sound of cheering girls as the main audio in the stands, we’re so used to it being men – the look and feel of that gave me goosebumps.
I am excited to celebrate the first goal! And seeing our jerseys around this city. The first time I walked past someone in Pacific Spirit Park and they had a Rise cap on I was so happy I hugged them (after we spoke haha!).
As President of Vancouver’s first pro women’s soccer team, what legacy do you hope to help create—not just for Rise FC, but for women in sport across Canada?
On a local level – for more girls to play sports. My niece recently joined the ‘little kickers’ soccer club for kids and she was the only girl in a group of 15. The more girls see these players and clubs, the more they will realise they have just as much right to be playing as the boys
On a competitive level – To see Vancouver Rise players playing for CANWNT (Canada Women’s National Team) and in turn CANWNT getting stronger – winning more medals (World Cup, Olympics).
I’d also like to create more opportunities for pro players to play at home. Before, they had to go abroad to play pro but now they get to play on home soil – you hear players talking about how special that is for them because it really is.
Finally, my goal is to help increase the investment in women’s sports. It’s so important we don’t just see support, we need investment alongside it. Take for example infrastructure. It’d be great to see purpose built facilities for pro women’s teams.
With the first game just around the corner on April 16th at BC Place we hope to see all of Vancouver come and support Vancouver Rise FC!
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