Roses FC was founded in July 2023 by Chevalier and Crevier, who both sought involvement in the Northern Super League after its formation the previous year. It was one of the last two charter members of the league, alongside the Ottawa Rapid. In lieu of a tenancy deal with a venue in Montreal, the club will play its home games at various venues. Its first season will be played in 2025, with Robert Rositoiu as its head coach.
History
Roses FC were co-founded by Quebecer entrepreneurs Isabèle Chevalier and Jean-François Crevier, who bought a licence for a team in the Northern Super League, then tentatively known as Project 8, in July 2023.[1] Chevalier, who gained notoriety as a "dragon" on both the French and French-Canadian adaptations of Dragons' Den, sought a team in the league as a passion project inspired by her advocacy for women's sports; while Crevier, whose companies manufacture and distribute lubricants, sought involvement in the league after news reports covering its establishment piqued his interest.[2][3][4] Their acquisition, along with regulatory approval by Canada Soccer, was achieved in May 2024,[1][5] and the league publicly announced Roses FC and Ottawa Rapid FC as the last two of its six charter members at the espnW Summit Canada shortly after.[a][7][8]
Blue roses(pictured) are prominently featured in the club's branding, intended to illustrate "making the impossible possible."
The official name of the club is Roses FC,[19][20][23] though Montreal Roses and Roses de Montréal are also used by the club in English- and French-language media, respectively.[19][24]Roses were chosen as the central motif in the club's identity for their bilingual name, and recognition as symbols of femininity and of Montreal itself – being featured in the city's coat of arms, flag, and logo.[25][26][27] The club's branding was workshopped with Quebec-based advertising agencies Cossette and GRDN from over forty ideas.[20][28] It primarily uses hues of blue and red, symbolizing the "diverse cultural heritage shared between Quebec and Canada," that intentionally differ from blue and red hues traditionally used by Montreal sports teams. Black, gold, and white are also used in the club's colours.[26][27][28] A blue rose, which does not occur naturally, features prominently on the club's crest – intended to evoke perseverance, resilience, and the idea of "[making] the impossible possible."[17][25] The typography used in the club's branding, inspired by the Farine Five Roses sign, was designed to resemble thorns on the stems of roses.[17][26][27]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. Squad correct as of December 17, 2024.
^At the time of this announcement, the clubs were known by their tentative names, SLN Montreal and NSL Ottawa.[6]
Citations
^ abcBrideau, Alec; Davidson, Neil; Servant, Simon (28 May 2024). "New pro women's soccer league will have a team in Montreal". The Gazette. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024. Co-founders Jean-François Crevier and Isabèle Chevalier purchased the Montreal team in July 2023, but it was only last Friday that the deal with the new league was signed.
^Brideau, Davidson & Servant 2024, "Chevalier said this new league was not only an investment, but also a passion project. Crevier said he saw an article in March last year about the league that co-founder Diana Matheson wanted to start."
^Houpt 2024, "In fact, the four teams previously announced will be joined only by Montreal and Ottawa, which were unveiled Tuesday at the ESPNW Summit..."
^ abArcand, Jean-Philippe (19 June 2024). "Les nombreux chantiers d'Annie Larouche et de Marinette Pichon" [The many challenges of Annie Larouche and Marinette Pichon]. La Presse (in French). Archived from the original on 20 June 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024. ...la nomination d'Annie Larouche à titre de présidente du club, tandis que l'ex-gloire du soccer français Marinette Pichon en sera la directrice sportive.
^ abTéotonio, Jean-François (8 October 2024). "La floraison des Roses de Montréal" [The flowering of the Montreal Roses]. La Presse (in French). Archived from the original on 10 October 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024. Les seules autres surprises annoncées mardi soir ont été les noms de cinq nouveaux investisseurs-ambassadeurs [...] la fondatrice de la plateforme Femmes d'hockey, Isabelle Éthier, l'actrice Julie Du Page, ainsi que le gardien de l'équipe masculine de soccer Maxime Crépeau.
^ abTéotonio 2024, "...l'évènement organisé à la gare Dalhousie, dans le Vieux-Montréal. Environ 550 personnes étaient présentes en soirée [...] la ministre Isabelle Charest, même des représentantes de la Victoire de Montréal ont assisté à la présentation."
^ abTéotonio 2024, "Les Roses de Montréal, Roses FC, Montreal Roses, « tu prends [l’appellation] qui te plaît ! », nous dit la femme d’affaires Isabèle Chevalier, copropriétaire de l'équipe de la nouvelle Super Ligue du Nord (SLN). Elle est assise au côté de son comparse et autre copropriétaire, Jean-François Crevier."
^ abTéotonio 2024, "...puisqu'il s'inspire de la rosace du logo officiel de la Ville de Montréal. « La rose, c'est féminin, mais c'est puissant. » Plus sérieusement, la rose bleue au centre de l'image de marque, « c’est impossible dans la nature […] Donc ce logo-là rend l'impossible possible. »"
^ abTéotonio 2024, "Les agences GRDN et Cossette ont été impliquées dans le processus de sélection. [...] portaient tous l'écharpe bleu, blanc et rouge des Roses en cette soirée de grand dévoilement. Des couleurs qui rappellent évidemment le monde du sport montréalais. « On a pris des rouges et des bleus un peu plus vifs, différents des autres équipes. »"
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