The Northern Super League (NSL), Canada’s first professional women’s soccer league, was officially announced in May 2024 and is set to launch in April 2025. This new league fills a major gap in Canadian sports by providing a top-tier platform for women athletes, previously missing in Canadian soccer. Spearheaded by Diana Matheson’s Project 8, the NSL will debut with six teams, based in Montreal, Ottawa, Halifax, Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary. Team franchises were first announced in May 2024, with Calgary Wild FC being the first. Montreal was one of the next to be launched, naming themselves Montreal Roses FC, a tribute to the roses featured in the city’s coat of arms.
With the first season quickly approaching, teams are beginning to announce new signings as they gradually build up their rosters. On Oct. 21, 2024, Montreal Roses FC announced two significant signings that have created a buzz in the NSL, the first being French midfielder Charlotte Bilbault. Bilbault is a seasoned player with 56 international caps for France; this experience will bring leadership and defensive strength to the team’s midfield. Additionally, Bilbault has experience in top European leagues, including Montpellier in France’s Division 1 Féminine, and will thus hopefully bring insight and expertise to Roses FC as they build their team from the ground up. Athletic director and French former soccer player, Marinette Pichon, described Bilbault as an “impact player” whose game-reading ability will enhance the team’s defensive and playmaking abilities.
Another noteworthy signing for the Roses is Gabrielle Lambert, a Canadian goalkeeper from SC Freiburg in Germany. Known for her agility and tactical awareness, she’s set to play a mentoring role, elevating standards and setting an example for the team’s younger players. Roses FC’s early signings of seasoned players highlight their intent to compete at a high level and provide fans with a strong first-ever season. Looking forward, there’s excitement over the Roses’ future as a team and potential signings that could further balance the team’s roster with promising young talent as the league approaches kickoff in April 2024.
Other teams across the NSL have also made several exciting roster moves. AFC Toronto signed forward Jade Kovacevic, one of Canada’s top talents, who brings an abundance of experience from both the collegiate and international levels, including time at Louisiana State University and Fanshawe College. Known for her playmaking skills and leadership qualities, Kovacevic is expected to be a key player for Toronto both on and off the field. Calgary Wild FC, although still finalizing and building its lineup, is also rumoured to be targeting myriad high-profile names such as Stephanie Bukovec as they establish their roster. The Canadian-Croatian goalkeeper has spent the last six seasons in Europe but stated that there’s always a chance she would return home. She recently followed Calgary Wild FC on Instagram, a possible hint toward her future team.
These early signings illustrate the league’s commitment to building a highly competitive, talent-driven division that can captivate fans across Canada. The NSL’s inaugural season truly marks a transformative moment for women’s soccer in Canada, promising to elevate the sport domestically and provide new pathways for players and coaches who have never previously had the opportunity to do so domestically. By pulling talent from both Canadian and international sources, the league is already capturing the attention of fans eager to support hometown teams and see high-quality professional soccer close to home. These initial signings not only bolster the league’s competitiveness but also display their commitment to creating a strong, sustainable foundation for women’s professional soccer in Canada. With solid backing from sponsors and a national broadcast deal, the NSL is set to inspire the next generation of female athletes and create a thriving sports culture that will grow the game and inspire young girls for years to come.
