Sports
Vancouver Rise FC Sign Canadian National Team Star Quinn
Vancouver Rise FC announced on Thursday that the club has signed Canadian national team midfielder Quinn ahead of the inaugural season in the Northern Super League (NSL).
“I’m so excited to come home and play professional soccer in Canada,” said Quinn. “With Vancouver Rise FC, we hope to inspire a new generation of talented young athletes in Canada and beyond.”
Quinn – Vancouver Rise FC midfielder:
- More than 200 appearances for club and country
- Olympic gold medalist with Canada at Tokyo 2020, and bronze medalist at Rio 2016
For more information, follow @VancouverRiseFC on social media and visit vanrisefc.com. - Six seasons with Seattle Reign FC, winning the NWSL Shield in 2022
- Highest drafted Canadian in NWSL history, going third overall to Washington Spirit in 2018
Quinn joins as one of Canada’s most accomplished players, making more than 100 appearances for the country and helping the Red & White win their first gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, as well as a bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics. In 2018, Quinn was named to the Concacaf Best XI.
“Quinn is a trailblazer, someone who has forged their own path, and created history along the way,” added Stephanie Labbé, sporting director of Vancouver Rise FC. “Having Quinn be a part of Vancouver Rise FC is a game changing moment, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have someone of their quality on the pitch. With two World Cups, three Olympic games, and two Olympic medals to their name, they will elevate the level of our team, and continue to be a role model for so many young athletes in our country. Quinn is bold, and real, and everyone who crosses paths with them understands the power of being authentically you, and how that can elevate yourself and everyone around you. I am so proud that our supporters get the chance to cheer for someone of their quality, and I know Quinn will be a force to be reckoned with in our league.”
Most recently, Quinn spent six seasons playing with Seattle Reign FC in the NWSL. Over that time, they started 63 of 85 appearances while helping Reign FC win the NWSL Shield in 2022. Quinn originally became the highest drafted Canadian in NWSL history, going third overall to Washington Spirit in the 2018 NWSL College Draft and starting 16 of 17 appearances in their rookie season.
In-between time in the NWSL, Quinn spent two seasons playing in Europe, first with Paris FC in 2019, and then during a loan from Reign FC to Swedish side Vittsjö GIK in 2020.
The now 29-year-old has been an inspiration globally, becoming the first openly non-binary transgender athlete to both compete, medal, and become a gold medalist at an Olympic Games in 2021, and to play at the FIFA World Cup in 2023.
The Toronto native played college soccer at the University of Duke, winning ACC Midfielder of the Year in 2017. Quinn was also selected to the United Soccer Coaches First Team All-America team, All-ACC First Team, and a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy.
In their youth, Quinn played for North Toronto FC.
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
Vancouver Rise FC Transfer Holly Ward to NWSL Side Seattle Reign FC
Vancouver Rise FC has made a major statement about its player development pathway. The club announced Friday that winger Holly Ward has been transferred to Seattle Reign FC of the National Women’s Soccer League for an undisclosed fee.
The move marks the first time a Rise FC Academy graduate has been transferred out of the club, setting a new benchmark for the organization and the broader Northern Super League.
Sporting director Stephanie Labbé called the transfer a defining moment. She pointed to Ward’s rise through the system as proof that the league is doing what it set out to do—create real opportunities for Canadian players.
Ward’s journey with the club began in 2018 when she joined the Rise FC Academy, then known as the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy. Seven years later, she returned home to sign her first professional deal ahead of the 2025 season.
The 22-year-old from North Vancouver wasted no time making an impact. She started 27 of 28 matches in her rookie campaign, scoring eight goals and adding five assists. Her biggest moment came in the league’s inaugural final, where she scored the winner in a 2–1 victory over AFC Toronto to secure the Diana B. Matheson Cup.
Speaking about the move, Ward described her time in Vancouver as a dream realized. Playing professionally in her hometown and helping deliver a championship made the experience hard to leave behind, though she expressed excitement about the next step in her career.
Her breakout season didn’t go unnoticed at the international level. Ward earned her first senior call-up to the Canadian women’s national team and made history on June 3 by becoming the first NSL player to score for Canada in a match against Haiti.
Head coach Anja Heiner-Møller praised Ward’s growth and character, highlighting her attacking ability, work ethic, and presence in the locker room. She noted that Ward’s development—from academy prospect to national team contributor—reflects the strength of the club’s environment.
The transfer is a significant step for Rise FC as it begins to participate in the global player market, something the club sees as key to long-term growth. It also reinforces the idea that young Canadian players can develop at home and still reach top leagues abroad.
Rise FC now turns its focus to the upcoming season. The club will open its 2026 campaign with a championship rematch against AFC Toronto on April 24 at Swangard Stadium, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. PT.
Fans can purchase single-match tickets or explore package options, including season memberships that cover all 13 home games and flexible ticket bundles built around the home opener.