Women's soccer leagues in Europe can draw valuable insights from their counterparts in Canada.
A New Era for Women's Soccer in Canada: The Northern Super League
The Northern Super League (NSL), Canada's first professional women's soccer league, made its debut in 2025, filling a gap in the Canadian soccer landscape and offering a fully professional environment for women players. This new league is a significant step forward for the sport in Canada, combining a professional structure with community engagement and international quality.
Lara Schenk, a 25-year-old German defender, is one of the international stars playing in the NSL. She currently plays for the Montreal Roses, one of the league's founding clubs, and has become a starter, indicating the league’s attraction of top talent from around the world.
Schenk's career path in the NSL began earlier this year, having previously signed her first professional contract with the women's section of Belgian club FC Bruges. Before that, she played for Spanish second-division club CD Sporting Club de Huelva.
The NSL's establishment was driven by former pro Diana Matheson, who was part of the Canadian teams that won bronze medals at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics. Matheson ensured that provisions like extended maternity leave and a ban on transferring players without their consent are written into standard NSL player contracts. These measures aim to provide stability and security for players, addressing concerns about uncertainty and contractual problems due to injury or pregnancy.
The NSL features teams from multiple Canadian cities, such as Vancouver Rise FC and AFC Toronto, competing at a professional level. Matches attract enthusiastic crowds, exemplified by the June 2025 game at Swangard Stadium where fans showed strong local support. The league allows players progressing from university and semi-pro levels into professional contracts, marking a significant step in players’ careers.
The competitive structure includes regular season games and playoffs, focusing on fostering local talent and regional rivalries. The league is designed to be a "revolution" and a league "the next generation can believe in." It is the first professional women’s soccer league in Canada, creating historic opportunities for players and fans.
Moreover, the league has attracted international players like Schenk, indicating its growing reputation. Games are community-focused, generating vibrant atmospheres and strong fan engagement, exemplified by homecomings of locally developed players such as AFC Toronto’s Sarah Rollins.
Schenk, who describes herself as a "two-footed and aggressive defender," sees the NSL as a role model for professional structures that allow players to fully concentrate on their performance on the pitch. She is impressed by the Canadian officials and the Canadian national team for building the league solidly and planning for a long-term future.
The Montreal Roses, where Schenk plays, are currently second in the table and look like a good bet to make it to the playoffs. The NSL is undoubtedly a milestone for women’s soccer in Canada, offering a professional platform close to home, bridging university and international play to professional club careers.
- Despite originating from Germany, Lara Schenk now plays football in Canada's premier women's league, the Northern Super League (NSL).
- The NSL, which includes teams from cities like Vancouver and Toronto, is attracting international talent such as Schenk, indicating its growing reputation on the world stage.
- European leagues, such as the Spanish second-division club CD Sporting Club de Huelva, have also provided opportunities for Schenk before she joined the Montreal Roses of the NSL.
- Schenk believes the NSL should serve as a model for other professional leagues, offering players like herself a chance to focus wholly on their sport without dealing with contractual issues or concerns about uncertainty due to injury or pregnancy.
