Canadian women's football has entered a thrilling new era as Vancouver Rise were crowned the first-ever Northern Super League (NSL) champions following a dramatic 2-1 victory over AFC Toronto in Saturday's historic final.
The triumphant conclusion at Toronto's BMO Field, witnessed by 12,429 spectators, marked the culmination of an inaugural season that has exceeded expectations and firmly established professional women's football in Canada.
A League Built By Players, For Players
As legendary Canadian footballer Christine Sinclair, co-owner of Vancouver Rise, perfectly captured: "What a difference a year makes." The sentiment reflects the remarkable journey from the league's uncertain beginnings to its glittering championship finale.
Founded by former Canada international Diana Matheson, the NSL was built with players at its core. This philosophy is evident in the league's groundbreaking standards, including a minimum wage of C$50,000 and an average salary of C$75,000 – the highest for any women's football league globally – alongside comprehensive benefits packages.
Young Canadian Talent Takes Centre Stage
The final showcased exactly why the league was created, with two young Canadian talents stealing the spotlight. Seventeen-year-old Kaylee Hunter put Toronto ahead with a clinical finish, demonstrating the pathway to professional football the NSL provides.
However, it was Vancouver's 19-year-old sensation Holly Ward who had the final say. The Vancouver-born forward, who earned an international call-up earlier this year, scored the championship-winning goal after Sierra Cota-Yarde's own goal had levelled the match.
The lightning-delayed match saw Vancouver demonstrate remarkable perseverance to overcome Toronto, who had previously won the regular season's Supporters' Shield.
Record-Breaking Debut Season Exceeds Expectations
The NSL's inaugural season has delivered impressive numbers that position Canada among the world's leading women's football nations. More than 275,000 tickets were sold, placing attendance figures in the global top-five, while broadcast audiences exceeded three million viewers across traditional channels.
Financially, the league has generated approximately C$30 million in revenue and established partnerships with 16 organisations, with over 50 additional partners involved with the six founding clubs.
"I would say where we're ending year one is exactly where we wanted to be," said NSL co-founder Diana Matheson. "We set the bar high, but I say we've met it in year one."
The league's commitment to developing Canadian talent is undeniable. Of the 148 players across the six inaugural clubs, 101 were Canadian, with seven receiving senior international call-ups during the season.
Vancouver Rise captain Samantha Chang perfectly captured the historic moment: "I'm so grateful that we got the opportunity to be a part of the first ever league. We hit a lot of milestones this year; playing in the first ever game and now winning the first trophy. It does feel full circle for us."
The future looks bright for the NSL, with plans to expand to seven teams by 2027 and representation in the Concacaf W Champions Cup. The Canadian government has also pledged up to C$5.45 million for facility upgrades, ensuring the league's infrastructure matches its ambitious vision.
