Vancouver Rise revealed as name of city's new women's soccer team
Rise will represent Vancouver in the pro women's soccer league, which is set to kick off in April 2025
The name and logo of Vancouver's professional women's soccer team were revealed on Monday, and the Vancouver Rise is now set to represent the city in the Northern Super League.
The league, which will begin its inaugural season next April, will see professional women's soccer return to the city more than a decade after the Vancouver Whitecaps folded its professional women's program.
Team president Sinead King and Whitecaps women's sporting director Stephanie Labbé revealed the name and logo of the Rise at an event Monday.
In a statement, the team says that the moniker symbolizes "a beacon of empowerment and progress, inspiring the next generation to rise above and chase their dreams."
The breakdown. ⤵️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VanRiseFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VanRiseFC</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StrongerByNature?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StrongerByNature</a> <a href="https://t.co/4SKh7YWfUA">pic.twitter.com/4SKh7YWfUA</a>
—@VancouverRiseFCA teal shield-shaped logo was also revealed, crowned with three snow-capped mountains and including a bursting golden sun.
Franchises in Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto, Halifax and Calgary will open the NSL with a 25-game schedule next April, followed by playoffs and a national championship in the fall of 2025.
Ottawa Rapid FC, Halifax Tides FC and Calgary Wild FC have already unveiled their names and logos.
Teams are expected to operate with an initial salary cap of $1.5 million for 20 to 25 players on a roster, with a $50,000 minimum salary.
Each club will be allowed up to seven foreign players and one marquee player whose salary will only account for $75,000 against the cap. More details on the rosters and makeup of the league are expected in the coming weeks.
"Vancouver has always had incredible support for the women's game, and now the city finally has a team to call their own," Labbé said in a statement.
"After months of consulting with fans and stakeholders, we are proud to announce the identity of this club that we are building together. Vancouver Rise FC will be a team that will inspire generations to come, and we can't wait to welcome everyone to be a part of it."
