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Vancouver Rise FC
Founded	December 2022; 22 months ago
Owners	Greg Kerfoot (majority); Christine Sinclair;
President	Sinead King
Manager	Stephanie Labbé
League	Northern Super League
Website	Club website

Vancouver Rise FC is a professional women's soccer club based in Vancouver, British Columbia that will compete in the Northern Super League, in the top flight of the Canadian soccer league system. Majority-owned by Vancouver Whitecaps co-owner Greg Kerfoot, the club is led by Sinead King, and managed by Stephanie Labbé. Its colours are teal, black, and gold, while its crest depicts the North Shore Mountains. Its home games will be played at a "smaller and more intimate" stadium – Swangard Stadium in Burnaby is one of the venues currently being considered by the club.

Alongside the Calgary Wild, the Rise were one of the first two clubs to join the Northern Super League, and are a spiritual successor to the Whitecaps' former women's team. The club was co-developed with the league itself, in an effort to retain female players from the Whitecaps' academy team, and provide equity between the organization's men's and women's programs. It will play its first season in 2025, as one of the league's six charter members.

History

The Vancouver Whitecaps, a club with a long history in Vancouver, first organized an amateur women's team that played twelve seasons in the USL W-League between 2001 and 2012.^[1]^[2] The team enjoyed consistent success, regularly topping the league's western conference, and winning two USLW titles in 2004 and 2006.^[3]^[4]^[5] The establishment of a professional women's league in the United States led to difficulties in retaining players however, and the Whitecaps ultimately folded the team.^[1]^[2] A Canada Soccer REX academy for women's soccer operated by the Whitecaps was later set up in 2015,^[6] with explorations into entering the National Women's Soccer League as an expansion franchise being undertaken in 2017 and 2018.^[7]^[8]^[9]

Unsuccessful negotiations with the NWSL, an expansion of the academy, and an entry into the semi-professional League1 British Columbia in 2022, provided an impetus for the Whitecaps to help establish a professional women's league in Canada as a way to retain elite female players trained in the academy.^[10] Greg Kerfoot, the Whitecaps' co-owner, also sought to prioritize equity between the organization's men's and women's programs by offering its female players a professional pathway.^[11] In December 2022, the Whitecaps and Calgary Foothills FC acquired the first two licences to run clubs in the Northern Super League, then tentatively known as Project Eight – a league they helped foster through the Whitecaps' general manager of its women's programs, Stephanie Labbé.^[12]^[13]^[14] Labbé and Sinead King were the new club's first two executive hires, and primarily directed the club's development through its formative years;^[15]^[16] which coincided with the retirement of Burnaby native Christine Sinclair from football in 2023–24, giving Sinclair an opportunity to acquire a minority ownership in the club during her final season of play.^[17]^[18]^[19] Its name, the "Vancouver Rise", and its branding was unveiled at an event celebrating the club's launch on August 26, 2024, hosted at the D/6 Bar & Lounge in Parq Vancouver.^[20]^[21]

Identity

Vancouver-based advertising agency Victory Creative Group designed the Vancouver Rise's branding,^[22]^[23] which employs the colours teal to represent the British Columbia mainland coastal forests, black to represent the Pacific Ocean, and gold to represent sunsets over the Pacific.^[20]^[24] The club name Rise is an allusion to the phrase "rise to the occasion",^[21] and is intended to evoke both "a beacon of empowerment and progress", and sunrises over the Cascade Range.^[24]^[25] Three snow-capped mountains, an allusion to the Vancouver Whitecaps' crest, are illustrated atop the Rise's crest, depicting the North Shore Mountains that overlook Vancouver's skyline.^[26]^[27] In particular, they represent Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain, and Mount Seymour.^[11]^[23] A "bursting golden Sun" occupies the crest's base,^[25] representing the "rising stars" the club aspires to produce – its six rays referencing the charter members of the Northern Super League.^[11]^[28]

The Rise sought a relatable brand that reflected both the demographics and geography of Greater Vancouver, that "brings emotions and also has a deep tie" to the city.^[26]^[29] Along with "Vancouver Rise", the club had also registered the names "Vancouver Queens" and "Vancouver Summit" as trademarks with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.^[30]^[31] "Vancouver Breakers", one of the names of the Whitecaps' former women's team, was also considered.^[31] The use of gold in the club's colours was encouraged by Labbé, as a reminder of the Canadian national team's gold medal-winning performance at the 2020 Olympic football tournament, of which she was a part of.^[32]

Stadium

The Rise intend to play their home games at a "smaller and more intimate" stadium that would facilitate an average attendance of over 5,000.^[28]^[33]^[34] Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, the historic home ground of the Vancouver Whitecaps' predecessors, is one of the venues currently being considered.^[33]^[34] Though a tenancy at Metro Vancouver's primary rectangular sports stadium, the 54,500-capacity BC Place, has been ruled out by the club,^[28] it intends to occasionally play matches there.^[32]^[35]

Organization

Vancouver Whitecaps co-owner Greg Kerfoot holds a majority ownership in the club, though it operates with a degree of autonomy from the Whitecaps, including managing its own media relations.^[17]^[32]^[36] Alongside Kerfoot, Christine Sinclair holds a minority ownership.^[18]^[19] Former HSBC executive Sinead King serves as the club's president and chief business officer,^[15]^[25]^[29] while Stephanie Labbé, the general manager of the Whitecaps' women's programs and a former national team player, serves as the club's sporting director.^[14]^[16]^[35] The club's director of partnerships is Rachel Orris.^[37]

References

Sources

Ewen, Steve (26 August 2024). "Rise and shine: Vancouver's new pro women's soccer team unveils name, logo and colours". The Province. Archived from the original on 27 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.

Citations

^ ^a ^b Weber, Marc (7 December 2012). "Whitecaps won't field W-League team in 2013". The Province. Archived from the original on 25 December 2022. Retrieved 25 December 2022. For the first time since joining the USL W-League in 2001, the Vancouver Whitecaps will not field a women's team in 2013. Before this yet-to-be-named league begins play, it was the WPS skimming top Canadian talent away from the Whitecaps...
^ ^a ^b "Vancouver Whitecaps FC announce W-League team status for 2013 season". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 8 December 2012. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
^ Timko, Brandon (29 July 2011). "A recap of past W-League Final Four appearances for Whitecaps FC". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Archived from the original on 13 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
^ United Soccer League staff (8 August 2004). "Vancouver wins 2004 W-League Title". United Soccer League. Archived from the original on 11 August 2007. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
^ "Vancouver Whitecaps win Second W-League Championship". United Soccer League. 6 August 2006. Archived from the original on 30 November 2006. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
^ "Vancouver Whitecaps FC and BC Soccer announce inaugural Girls Elite Regional EXCEL Centre roster". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 15 January 2015. Archived from the original on 26 August 2024. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
^ Weber, Marc (20 January 2017). "Marc Weber: Time is right to give women's pro soccer another kick in Vancouver". The Province. Archived from the original on 8 September 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2024. The Whitecaps have been in discussions with the NWSL...
^ Johal, Harjeet (4 January 2017). "NWSL to Vancouver? It's a definite maybe". The Equalizer. Archived from the original on 6 January 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
^ Johal, Harjeet (2 March 2018). "Sources: Vancouver Whitecaps eye 2019 for NWSL entry". The Equalizer. Archived from the original on 6 March 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
^ Brady, Rachel (7 December 2022). "Vancouver, Calgary announced as first teams in women's pro soccer league". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 25 December 2022. Both already run teams for girls and women from grassroots to the elite level under their organizational umbrellas. But they watch many of those female players leave to go play professionally abroad, since no pro league exists for them yet in Canada. The Whitecaps and Foothills both wanted to do something about that...
^ ^a ^b ^c Dunlop, Brendan (27 August 2024). "Behind the Badge: Discover the Vision Behind Vancouver Rise FC's Game-Changing Launch". Northern Super League. Archived from the original on 28 August 2024. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
^ Jones, Rory (6 December 2022). "Diana Matheson launching new Canadian women's soccer league in 2025". SportsPro Media. Archived from the original on 24 August 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2024. The Vancouver Whitecaps and Calgary Foothills have been confirmed as the first two of the league's founding eight teams.
^ Kepke, Cami (17 December 2022). "Calgary Foothills, Project 8 outline next steps for professional women's soccer league". Global News. Archived from the original on 24 August 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
^ ^a ^b "WATCH: Diana Matheson is building a women's pro league in Canada". OneSoccer. 7 December 2022. Archived from the original on 24 August 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
^ ^a ^b Adams, J.J. (4 July 2024). "Whitecaps' women's team locks down a business King". The Province. Archived from the original on 24 August 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2024. King will oversee the business side of the new club and will work closely with Stephanie Labbe, general manager of women's soccer.
^ ^a ^b Davidson, Neil (6 August 2024). "Whitecaps Girls Elite squad looks to defend national title, then face CONCACAF's best". St. Albert Gazette. Archived from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
^ ^a ^b Duong, Vicky (7 October 2024). "Christine Sinclair joins Vancouver Rise FC as co-owner". The Georgia Straight. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
^ ^a ^b Blazer, Jess (7 October 2024). "Burnaby's Christine Sinclair owned the pitch. Now, she co-owns Vancouver's new pro women's soccer club". New Westminster Record. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
^ ^a ^b Karstens-Smith, Gemma (7 October 2024). "Soccer icon Christine Sinclair joins ownership group of NSL club Vancouver Rise". The Squamish Chief. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Vancouver Rise FC launch as Northern Super League's latest club brand". Canadian Soccer Daily. 26 August 2024. Archived from the original on 27 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
^ ^a ^b Harowitz, Sara (27 August 2024). "Professional women's soccer team Vancouver Rise FC is launching in our city in 2025". The Georgia Straight. Archived from the original on 28 August 2024. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
^ "Vancouver Rise FC unveil name, brand, and logo". Vancouver Rise FC. 26 August 2024. Archived from the original on 27 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
^ ^a ^b Cook, Glenn (27 August 2024). "Things Are Looking Up for Vancouver Rise FC as They Launch NSL's Latest Identity". SportsLogos.net. Archived from the original on 27 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
^ ^a ^b Strang, Noah (26 August 2024). "New Vancouver professional women's soccer team reveals name and logo". Daily Hive. Archived from the original on 27 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c The Canadian Press (26 August 2024). "Vancouver Rise revealed as name of city's new women's soccer team". CBC News. Archived from the original on 27 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
^ ^a ^b Ewen 2024, "[Labbé] "I think it's soulful, and [...] it brings emotions and also has a deep tie to our community, to the city." Rise president Sinead King feels that the logo "has a little nod to the Whitecaps without being too similar to it.""
^ The Canadian Press (26 August 2024). "Vancouver Rise FC revealed as city's Northern Super League franchise". Lethbridge Herald. Archived from the original on 27 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c Vallejo, Felipe (27 August 2024). "Official: Meet Vancouver Rise FC, The Newest NSL Team". Northern Tribune. Archived from the original on 27 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
^ ^a ^b Caddell, Nathan (8 July 2024). "Sinead King has big goals for professional women's soccer in Vancouver". BCBusiness. Archived from the original on 24 August 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
^ Jaques, John (20 August 2024). "A New Dawn: Vancouver Set To Unveil Northern Super League Team". Northern Tribune. Archived from the original on 24 August 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
^ ^a ^b Steiner, Ben (13 June 2024). "Vancouver's Northern Super League team won't be the Whitecaps, several names being considered". Canadian Soccer Daily. Archived from the original on 13 June 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c Karstens-Smith, Gemma (26 August 2024). "Vancouver Rise FC unveiled as city's Northern Super League franchise". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 27 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024. The colour of the sun is special to Labbe, who was Canada's goalkeeper when the team captured an Olympic championship at the Tokyo Games. [...] there may be opportunities to have some games at B.C. Place [...] Rise and the Whitecaps share an owner in Greg Kerfoot, but will operate as separate clubs.
^ ^a ^b Ewen 2024, "King said that "anywhere over 5,000 as a consistent fan average would be amazing." King tagged Swangard Stadium in Burnaby as an "iconic stadium," because of its ties to the Vancouver 86ers/Whitecaps playing there and admitted "it's certainly an area we're looking at."
^ ^a ^b Johal, Har (27 August 2024). "Newest pro Vancouver team closing in on home stadium deal". Daily Hive. Archived from the original on 27 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
^ ^a ^b Caddell, Nathan (27 August 2024). "Vancouver Rise FC promises to lift up pro women's soccer in the city and country". BCBusiness. Archived from the original on 28 August 2024. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
^ Ewen 2024, "Vancouver Whitecaps owner Greg Kerfoot is also the Rise FC owner. Rise FC brass says the club will operate as its own separate entity. They're planning on hiring their own media relations staff, for instance, rather than sharing with the Whitecaps."
^ Vancouver Rise FC [@VancouverRiseFC] (10 September 2024). "Vancouver Rise FC is excited to announce Rachel Orris as our Director of Partnerships!" (Tweet). Retrieved 10 September 2024 – via Twitter.