Media Advisory – February 24, 2026 – (Vancouver, BC)
Sport BC is pleased to announce that the Vancouver Rise FC has been named the Best of BC recipient! The team is to be honoured at Sport BC’s Athlete of the Year Awards on March 5, 2026 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.
Photo Credit: Kevin Sousa
From day one, Vancouver Rise FC’s goal was bigger than football. It was to create a home for women’s professional sport in Vancouver – a place where players could dream boldly, fans could feel true belonging, and community could see what happens when Canadians build with purpose, pride, and conviction.
Women have been playing soccer, competing, and pushing boundaries for generations, and as the first professional women’s sports team in Vancouver, Rise FC are proud to be writing a new chapter in Vancouver’s sporting history. In just one season, Rise FC defied expectations by reaching new heights both on and off the pitch. It began with Rise FC’s inaugural game at BC Place on April 16th, 2025, with over 14,000 fans pouring in to see the first-ever professional women’s soccer match in the Northern Super League, marking a historic moment for our city and our country.
On the field, Rise FC is built by Canadians, for Canadians, as the club featured 17 Canadian players in their inaugural squad. Moreover, Rise FC strengthened Canada’s soccer pathway by developing homegrown talent such as Holly Ward and providing opportunities for celebrated players like Quinn to return home and inspire the next generation. Across the roster, Rise FC players received 13 national team call-ups this season, a powerful indicator of the quality and reach of the club’s program. Goalkeeper Morgan McAslan won the Golden Glove award after keeping a league-leading nine clean sheets and the team went on an unprecedented eight-match unbeaten streak during the season that ignited their push toward the NSL Final in November. And in that final, Rise FC embodied their motto of ‘Stronger by Nature’ – a message of resilience and togetherness – by coming back from one goal down to win the match, lift the Diana B. Matheson Cup and etch their names into history forever.
But their successes went beyond the pitch, as Rise FC’s commitment to its community shone through by supporting local community organizations, participating in over 25 community events, donating over 2500 tickets and creating an electric family-friendly home environment for the 57,000 fans that passed through the turnstiles last season. People of all ages and backgrounds came together to cheer on Rise FC as the club hosted theme nights such as Pride Night, Bark at the Park, and their Fan Appreciation Match for all fans to enjoy.
Becoming NSL Champions is just the beginning of Rise FC’s story. Last year proved that belief bred success and that the passion for Women’s soccer was not just alive, but thriving. This time around, Rise FC has a higher bar. The standard is set, and now with a stronger foundation, Rise FC will continue to break new ground to build the future of women’s professional sport in Canada – one goal at a time.
Thank you to our sponsors for supporting the Athlete of the Year Awards!
Media Contact Athlete of the Year Awards
Allison Mailer Felipe Vallejo Thursday, March 5, 2026
Sport BC, VP Operations Vancouver Rise FC Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
[email protected] [email protected] #SportBC58thAOY
778-839-8576 289-981-8433 https://sportbc.com
