Winnipeg’s newest Northern Super League franchise is more than launching a professional soccer club.
Founders Desiree Scott and Rob Gale represent an opportunity to inspire young athletes, showcase Manitoba talent, and give aspiring professionals a pathway to stay close to home when the club begins play in 2027.
Scott, is not only a proud Winnipegger but also a four-time Olympic medalist with Canada’s national team and represented her country at four FIFA Women’s World Cups. She said bringing professional women’s soccer to Manitoba fulfils a dream she once had herself.
“We need young girls and boys to see players from Manitoba here competing on that world stage, which is what the Northern Super League will provide, and I think we’re ready for it,” Gale said.
Gale said Winnipeg is a natural fit for the Northern Super League’s seventh franchise because of its strong sports culture and growing support for women’s athletics.
“There’s no professional women’s sports teams between Calgary, Toronto and Minneapolis. Winnipeg is such a great sports city. Women’s sports is such a growing business and movement, and it’s only going to get better. Winnipeg deserves to be on that stage.”
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Building opportunities at home
The club’s tagline, “Destroy Doubt,” is a tribute to Scott’s nickname, “The Destroyer,” earned through her relentless style of play on the field. It also reflects the club’s mission to challenge the doubts some may have about the talent coming out of Manitoba, proving that players from the province can compete at the highest levels.
Scott said she hopes the club will draw attention to Manitoba’s often-overlooked soccer talent.
“I think often the Prairies get overlooked in terms of the potential talent here,” she said. “We’re the heart of Canada and an untapped market of potential. Being able to put eyes on our city and create opportunities for women and girls in sport is really exciting.”
She said having professional athletes compete in Winnipeg could encourage more girls to stay involved in sports.
“Too many are dropping out at a young age, so hopefully this inspires girls to stick with it and see what’s possible. When you dream it, you can be it.”
Scott said she hopes the club encourages children to think bigger about what they can achieve.
“You don’t really know what you’re capable of until you’ve seen it,” she said. “By having this team here, we’re creating those opportunities for kids to come and see it week in and week out. I think a lot of times we reduce ourselves here in Winnipeg, and now we can dream bigger and see what’s possible.”
Ticket Deposits available
Fans can already place season ticket deposits, take part in the club’s naming and mascot initiatives, and follow the team’s social media channels as preparations continue for the inaugural 2027 season.
Gale said the club intends to become one of the Northern Super League’s premier organizations by investing in facilities, player support, and development.
“We don’t just want to be good for Winnipeg,” he said. “We want to be at the top of the league in terms of facilities, support systems and player development. We want Winnipeg at the forefront.”
While fans wait for the league’s launch, young people are being invited to be part of the team’s story by helping create a mascot. Organizers are encouraging kids to get creative and submit their ideas.
Creating a lasting legacy
Scott said the team’s identity will reflect Manitoba’s work ethic and community spirit.
“This league is for Canadians by Canadians, but we want to also attract that local talent as well as worldwide, and so we want to put out a standard of quality soccer that people are going to be excited to come and watch and cheer on, but also just that resonates with that home feel of the Prairies.”
Both founders said one of the club’s biggest goals is ensuring young Manitobans no longer have to leave home to pursue professional soccer careers.
“For Desiree and I, it’s so important to give back to the game and to the city that has given us so much,” Gale said. “We want to make sure nobody has to leave Canada or leave Winnipeg to realize their ambitions and dreams.”
