Montreal, May 28, 2024 – It’s a historic day for all Montrealers! It’s finally been confirmed that Montreal will have its own team in the Canadian women’s professional soccer league, set to kick off in Spring 2025.
Following the announcement of franchises in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Halifax, it’s Montreal’s turn to join in as a founding team in the league. Canada, the only country ranked in FIFA’s women’s top 10 without a professional league, intends to create a world-class league.
The Montreal franchise is co-founded by two committed investors in the Quebec business community, Isabèle Chevalier and Jean-François Crevier. They are putting together a group of investors from the business, sports and arts communities to support the club’s creation. There is still time to join the movement to become part of history and help build the future of women’s sports! Women’s sports is growing at an explosive rate both on a global and national scale, with signification increases in attendance and viewership for existing leagues.
“Canada was falling behind, as one of the few countries without a professional women’s soccer league despite a large base of female players and fans. It was high time to launch a women’s soccer league in Canada, and Montreal absolutely had to be a part of this sports and social movement,” says Isabèle Chevalier.
“It is time that female athletes occupy a central place in the sports world. Our players deserve to make a living from their sport, to play in front of packed stadiums, and to have a solid organisation to support them so that they can concentrate on their performance. This is our primary goal in founding the women’s team,” explains Jean-François Crevier.
The announcement of the professional team in Montreal will spark a movement that will go far beyond sports. Although girls start playing sports at the same rate as boys in Canada, they are three times more likely to quit before adulthood. Girls who play sports enjoy better physical and mental health, greater self-confidence, and better life skills. What’s more, 94% of female executives have played sports in their past. This league will create professional opportunities for women and diverse genders in a fast-growing industry.
As league cofounder and Canadian soccer star Diana Matheson puts it so well, “It’s not just a new soccer league, it’s a movement that we are launching to provide real opportunities for women and girls in sport – whether they are players, coaches, referees or professionals.”
The organisation is actively working to establish a solid structure and plans to announce the identity of the new club, its board of directors, coaches, players, stadium and training centre in the coming months, as well as the business partners who will be joining the adventure. The team would like to thank Patrick Boivin for his expertise and his invaluable collaboration in the creation of the Canadian Women’s Soccer League and the Montréal team, as well as Amy Walsh for her personal support since the very beginning of the project. Their dedication has been essential to carrying out this ambitious project, and since this type of venture requires a true community to move forward, all of those who have contributed will also be brought to light.
“There isn’t a better place for this project. In Quebec, we have the best sports fans, we are leaders in diversity and inclusivity, and we have one of the world’s largest talent pools. We want to build a team that represents all Montrealers, without exception. We’re betting that, if we get it right, the whole province will throw its support behind the team to take on the world and country’s best in soccer!” say cofounders and investors Isabèle Chevalier and Jean-François Crevier.
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
The group would like to offer its future fans the unique opportunity to become investors in the club to contribute to the team’s future. The details of this round of community investment will be announced shortly, but people can express their interest now at www.p8mtl.com
STATISTICS
Soccer is the world and Canada’s most popular sport: there are over a million soccer players in Canada, over 40% of whom are women. In comparison, 500,000 Canadians play hockey.
Canadian women are among the world’s best women soccer players, and Canada has the 3rd largest talent pool. The women’s national team is ranked in the FIFA top 10 and in the top 2 of the CONCACAF, and another achievement, they won the last Olympic Games.
The last Women’s World Cup attracted nearly 2 million spectators, breaking the all-time attendance record. The event generated over $570 million, the 2nd highest revenue for any sporting event worldwide, men and women combined. This proves that women’s soccer can be financially self-sufficient.
The Canadian market for women’s professional sports is underdeveloped, and its current value is estimated from $150 to 200 million.
Canada counts 24 million soccer fans, including 6 million of whom are super fans. More than a million Quebecers claim to be soccer fans.
According to Canadian Women & Sport, 43% of teenage girls say that they consider the quality of the sports involvement they experience to be a barrier. Girls in sports deserve a personalized experience so that they can give their all on the field.
To be part of history and help build the future of women’s sports, visit www.p8mtl.com to find out more about the opportunities to join the movement! To support the athletes, make women’s sports shine and keep up with the latest news, follow our Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts
Source: L’équipe professionnelle de soccer féminin des grands Montréalais
Media relations: Junior Bombardier | Bombardier Communications | junior@bombardiercommunications.com