Vancouver Rise FC

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Vancouver Rise FC
A black badge with a teal outline topped by a three-peaked mountain; the words "Vancouver Rise FC" are printed in gold and white.
FoundedDecember 2022; 20 months ago (December 2022)
OwnerGreg Kerfoot
PresidentSinead King
ManagerStephanie Labbé
LeagueNorthern Super League
WebsiteClub website
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Active teams
Vancouver Whitecaps FC MLS
Vancouver Rise FC NSL
Whitecaps FC 2 MLSNP
Whitecaps FC MLS Academy L1BC
Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy L1BC
Defunct teams
Whitecaps FC U-23 PDL
Whitecaps FC Prospects PCSL
Whitecaps FC (women) USLW

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. Owned by Vancouver Whitecaps co-owner Greg Kerfoot, the club is led by its president, Sinead King. Its colours are teal, black, and gold, while its crest depicts the North Shore Mountains. A spiritual successor to the Whitecaps' former USL W-League team, the club was co-developed with the Northern Super League itself, in a bid to retain players in the Whitecaps' academy team – the Rise and the Calgary Wild were the first two clubs to join the league. It'll play its debut 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 their elite players.[10] Later that year, the Whitecaps, along with the Calgary Wild's ownership group, were the first of two organizations to acquire licences for clubs in Project Eight – later the Northern Super League – which they helped foster through the Whitecaps' general manager of its women's programs, Stephanie Labbé.[11][12][13] Labbé and chief business officer Sinead King were the new club's first two executive hires, and primarily directed the club's development through its formative years.[14][15] Its name, the "Vancouver Rise", and its branding was unveiled at an event celebrating the club's launch on 26 August 2024, hosted at the D/6 Bar & Lounge in Parq Vancouver.[16][17]

Identity

The club's crest depicts the North Shore mountains Cypress, Grouse (pictured), and Seymour.

Vancouver-based advertising agency Victory Creative designed the Vancouver Rise's branding, which employs the colours teal to represent the mainland coastal forests of British Columbia, black to represent the Pacific Ocean, and gold to represent sunsets over the Pacific.[16][18] The name Rise is intended to evoke both "a beacon of empowerment and progress", and sunrises over the Cascade Range.[18][19] 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.[20][21] In particular, they represent Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain, and Mount Seymour.[17] The base of the crest is occupied by a "bursting golden sun" – its six rays a reference to the six charter members of the Northern Super League's inaugural 2025 season.[19][22]

The Rise initially 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.[20][23] Along with "Vancouver Rise", the club had also registered the names "Vancouver Queens" and "Vancouver Summit" as trademarks with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.[24][25] "Vancouver Breakers", one of the names of the Whitecaps' former USL W-League team, was also considered.[25]

Organization

The Vancouver Rise is owned by Vancouver Whitecaps co-owner Greg Kerfoot.[26] Its president and chief business officer is former HSBC executive Sinead King,[14][19][23] while former national team player Stephanie Labbé manages the club, through her role as general manager of the Vancouver Whitecaps' women's programs.[13][15] The club operates with a degree of autonomy from the Whitecaps, including managing its own media relations.[26]

See also

References

Sources

  1. 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

  1. ^ 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...
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ 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...
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ 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...
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ a b Ewen 2024, "The Vancouver side unveiled its moniker to fan groups and media at a launch event at the Parq Vancouver on Monday afternoon. [...] the logo features three peaks that represent Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain and Mount Seymour."
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ 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.""
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ "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.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ 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.
  25. ^ 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.
  26. ^ a b 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."
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