Sports
Vancouver Rise FC Sign Canadian International Latifah Abdu
Vancouver Rise FC announced on Saturday that the club has reached a transfer agreement with Montréal Roses FC for Canadian forward Latifah Abdu.
“We’re excited to welcome Latifah to the club,” said Interim Sporting Director Robyn Gale. “She brings quality and a fierce competitive edge, and she has already shown in this league the type of impact she can make. Her presence will strengthen our group while adding another dangerous element to our attack.”
Abdu, 23, joins from fellow Northern Super League side Montréal Roses FC after registering 1312 minutes in 16 matches for the Québec side, where she scored six goals and registered one assist. Her six goals place her third highest scorer in the NSL, emphasizing her clinical nature in front of goal.
“I’m proud to be joining Vancouver Rise FC” said Abdu on her signing. “I want to thank all those that made this happen, and I’m grateful to stay in the NSL. I am looking forward to participating in this new project and growing with my new teammates.”
Before joining Roses FC, Abdu played in France for three years. She began with FC Metz (D2) in 2022, scoring four goals in 10 matches. A transfer to RC Strasbourg (D2) followed, where she scored 12 goals in 18 matches during the 2022/23 season. This led to a move to D1 side Dijon FCO for the 2023/24 season. She then started the 2024/25 season with EA Guingamp (D1), before returning to Montréal in January.
“We are very excited about the signing of Latifah [Abdu],” said Rise FC Head Coach Anja Heiner-Møller. “She is an excellent forward that has shown her qualities already in the Northern Super League and we are looking forward to adding her to the club”.
In her youth, Abdu was a standout in the Première ligue de soccer du Québec (PLSQ). She scored 10 goals over two seasons with Lac Saint-Louis and CS Monteuil before a brief stint with France’s ASJ Soyaux. Upon returning to play for CS Mont-Royal Outremont, she won the 2021 PLSQ Golden Boot and the Ballon de Bronze award as the league’s third-best player, which led to her return to Europe.
As part of the agreement and out of respect for her former team, Abdu will be ineligible for selection in 2025 regular season matches against Roses FC.
Latifah Abdu
Pronunciation: La-TEE-fah Ab-DOO
Position: Forward
Height: 5-07
Date of Birth: October 18, 2001 in Montréal, Québec, Canada
Hometown: Montréal, Québec, Canada
Citizenship: Canada
Status: Domestic
Previous Clubs: Montréal Roses FC (Canada), EA Guingamp (France), FCO Dijon (France), RC Strasbourg (France), FC Metz (France), CS Mont-Royal Outremont (Canada), ASJ Soyaux (France)
Sports
Vancouver Rise FC Reveal 2026 “After Dark” Home Kit
Vancouver Rise FC has revealed its new “After Dark” home kit for the 2026 Northern Super League season, pulling inspiration straight from the natural setting that surrounds its home at Swangard Stadium.
The design pays tribute to Central Park in Burnaby, with visuals that reflect the quiet, layered beauty of the park at night. Tree silhouettes stretch across the kit, creating a sense of depth and movement—meant to mirror the experience of looking up through the canopy after dark.
The club says the concept ties closely to its motto, “Stronger by Nature,” grounding the team’s identity in the environment that surrounds it. The design blends all crest colours with added tones that bring warmth and balance, giving the kit a look that feels both rooted and refined. Paired with classic shorts and socks, it leans into tradition while still telling a clear local story.
A key detail returns on both the After Dark kit and the club’s secondary “Sunshine Kit” for 2026. A Gold Pointed Star sits on the left sleeve, marking Vancouver Rise FC as the inaugural champions of the Northern Super League. The patch represents the league’s top honour and signals the club’s early place in its history.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley praised the design and its connection to the community, pointing to the pride residents have in their parks and green spaces. He added that seeing Central Park reflected in the team’s identity makes the return to Swangard Stadium for the new season feel even more meaningful.
The After Dark kit leans heavily into place and atmosphere. It’s less about flash and more about identity—something that feels tied to where the team plays and who shows up for them.
Pre-orders for both the After Dark and Sunshine kits are now available through the club’s official store, with options for delivery or in-stadium pickup.
Sports
2026 Stars On Ice Announces Olympic Bronze Medallists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirierat in Vancouver
Canadian figure skating fans are getting a rare post-Olympic victory lap moment this spring.
Fresh off the 2026 Winter Olympics, the country’s top skaters are heading out on the 2026 edition of Stars on Ice, with a stop in Vancouver set for May 12 at Rogers Arena.
Leading the lineup are Olympic bronze medallists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier. Their free dance this season, inspired by The Starry Night, helped secure their first Olympic podium and quickly became one of the most talked-about programs of the Games.
They’ll be joined by a stacked group of Canadian talent, including world champions Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps. Also on the bill: four-time national champion Madeline Schizas, and rising pair team Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud, who recently picked up medals on the world stage.
The tour leans heavily into nostalgia too. Canadian icon Elvis Stojko returns as a central figure, still known for the kind of power and speed that made him a standout in the ’90s. Kaetlyn Osmond, one of the country’s most decorated skaters with Olympic gold, silver, and bronze to her name, is back as well.
Rounding out the cast are fan favourites Keegan Messing and Roman Sadovsky, with Sadovsky making his Stars on Ice debut. For the Vancouver show, guest performers Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac will join the lineup.
Behind the scenes, Kurt Browning returns as director and choreographer. His work has shaped the tour for years, blending technical skating with a more theatrical style that plays well in an arena setting.
The Vancouver stop is set for 7:00 p.m., with tickets already on sale through the usual outlets. Prices start at $35, with premium on-ice seating and group options available. More information on the Stars On Ice website.