Victoria Highlanders FC is a Canadian women's soccer team based in Victoria, British Columbia .
39-622: The team was founded in 2001 as the Victoria Stars FC . In 2010, the team was acquired by the Victoria Highlanders and re-branded to serve as their women's team. In 2012, they became known as the Peninsula Co-Op Women's Soccer Highlanders. The team was dissolved after the 2014 season. In 2021, the women's team was re-founded following a merger with Vancouver Island FC . Victoria Stars FC was founded as
78-672: A Scottish sheep dog or highland terrier named Striker, who wears the highland dress . The Highlanders when first announced were to begin playing in a 4500-seat stadium at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, however, after this project did not proceed the city of Langford, British Columbia built its own stadium, Bear Mountain Stadium , which the Highlanders committed to using. Capacity concerns regarding dressing rooms, field space, mid-field seating capacity, and training time conflicts for
117-558: A fully connected developmental program. On February 8, 2023, WPSL announced plans to create a Division III professional league named WPSL PRO . The league plans to start in 2025 with ten teams. In August 2023, five teams signed letters of intent to join the WPSL Pro. SouthStar FC, Sioux Falls City FC, Oklahoma City FC (WPSL) , Austin Rise FC , and The Town FC will be five of the first ten teams to join WPSL Pro. On February 6, 2024,
156-1054: A second consecutive poor season in the W-League, they decided to leave the W-League and return to the PCSL for 2013 (the Vancouver Whitecaps also dropped down to the PCSL for 2013), with the team being known as the Peninsula-Co-Op Highlanders. In 2014, they were the PCSL Regular Season Champions as well as the Playoff champions, while the Reserve squad captured the Len McAdams League Cup as the Reserve Division champions. The women's team folded after
195-679: A women's soccer club in 2001. The Stars were operated by the Victoria Women's Soccer Society and their team colours were red and white. Playing in the Pacific Coast Soccer League Women's Premier Division they earned their first victory in club history on May 27, 2001 in their home opener against the Kelowna Predators in front of 200 fans. Ahead of the 2002 playoffs, the Stars played a friendly against
234-478: Is awarded to the champion of each WPSL season. When Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) suspended play in 2012, WPSL moved forward with its ambitions toward professionalism and created the WPSL Elite League . The Elite League was a pro-am league, with at least four fully professional teams, including three former WPS teams. The Elite league operated for just the 2012 season, disbanding in 2013 with
273-520: The Chinese Taipei U19 team , who were preparing for the 2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship , which was hosted in Canada, ultimately losing 2-0. They qualified for the playoffs for the first time in their second season, but lost both the semi-final and 3rd place match. In 2004, the Stars advanced to the playoff finals, but were defeated finishing in second. However, they were able to win
312-540: The United Soccer League awarded the city of Victoria, British Columbia the rights to a semi-professional Premier Development League franchise. One of the major contributing factors was the successful 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup , of which Victoria was a host city, which led local businessman Alex Campbell Jr. to create the Highlanders. The initial goal of the club was to eventually move to the fully professional USL First Division . Their initial home field
351-565: The Women's Premier Soccer League . Women%27s Premier Soccer League The Women's Premier Soccer League ( WPSL ) is an amateur women's soccer league in the United States. The WPSL is the longest-running active women's soccer league as it enters its 25th season in 2023. The WPSL is also the largest women's soccer league in the United States, North America and the world with 130 active teams as of 2023. The WPSL started as
390-440: The 2014 season, initially along with the men's team, but was not part of the 2015 revival of the men's team with the new ownership group. In 2021, it was announced that the Highlanders would be joining the new League1 British Columbia in both the men's and women's division, with the men's Highlanders organization merging with the women's club Vancouver Island FC , which played in the Women's Premier Soccer League . In April 2024,
429-465: The 2020-21 winter season, after the 2020 PCSL season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic . In 2021, it was announced that the Highlanders would be joining the new League1 British Columbia in both the men's and women's division, with the men's Highlanders organization merging with the women's club Vancouver Island FC , which played in the Women's Premier Soccer League . Their debut match in
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#1732786680689468-587: The 2024 Canadian Championship, but would continue to operate a team in the Vancouver Island Soccer League. With the purchase of season tickets, one also gets a membership in the Victoria Highlanders Supporters Board that administers the fan's 30% ownership in the club. The Supporters Board is a democratic registered non-profit society with limited liability, and all money or other assets belonging to
507-633: The Highlanders added a women's team, when they adopted the Victoria Stars FC of the PCSL, who ran into financial difficulties and renamed them as the Victoria Highlanders Women . In 2011, the team joined the USL W-League . After two seasons, the team returned to the PCSL for 2013, with the team rebranding as the Peninsula Co-op Women's Soccer after their major sponsor, although the Highlanders continued to be
546-645: The Highlanders black and gold to the Peninsula Co-Op red and white, although they would still wear the Highlanders logo on their jersey along with the Peninsula logo. In 2013, the W-League became the top level of women's soccer in North America, following the folding of the WPS at the end of 2012. They opened the 2012 season with a 3-2 victory over their local rivals, the Vancouver Whitecaps . Following
585-405: The Highlanders ownership group expanded to include Brett Large, Moreno Stefani, Grant Olson, Mark deFrias, and Ryan Wilson, in addition to Diercks and Dew. The club also revamped their logo at the time. In December 2019, the Highlanders announced they would return to the PCSL, as they awaited the formation of League1 British Columbia for 2021. They joined the Vancouver Island Soccer League for
624-702: The League Cup tournament (Kevin McAdams Memorial Cup) in 2004. In 2005, they captured their first regular season title (winning the Jacques Moon Memorial League Cup), but once again lost in the Playoff Championship final, losing to Hibernian & Caledonian Saints FC by a score of 3-0. However, they still managed to complete a double as they the League Cup winners in 2005. In 2008, the Stars once again won
663-602: The League Regular Season title and also captured their first Playoff Championship, winning the Dave Fryatt Challenge Cup. Ahead of the 2010 season, the Victoria Highlanders adopted the Stars, re-branding them as the Highlanders. The Highlanders had previously announced interest in operating a women's club in the future, however, with the opportunity to save the Stars, they made the foray a little earlier than they anticipated. They played in
702-613: The Michigan Super League to provide support to the development of underrepresented leagues. The WPSL will partner with the United States Adult Soccer Association to provide support to these leagues. The Michigan Super League will consist of five teams for the 2024 season. As of July 21, 2024 . As of November 28, 2023 . As of November 28, 2023 . As of November 28, 2023 . The league
741-782: The Mid-Isle Highlanders. The Mid-Isle Highlanders play in the Pacific Coast Soccer League (PCSL) Reserves Division (a U-21 division) as a development squad. The Mid Isle side was older than the Highlanders U20 Reserves (who were U-17 and U-18) playing in the PCSL Premier Division, but younger than the U-23 PDL roster. They also have younger youth teams as part of their Victoria Highlanders Futures program. In 2010,
780-686: The Northwest Division with a 6–4–6 record. Over the course of their inaugural season, they averaged crowds of 1,734, including a crowd of 2,412 for their home opener. After the season, head coach Colin Miller announced his resignation to be closer to his family in Abbotsford. The club also announced an affiliation with USL First Division club Austin Aztex in a farm club role, for player development as well as exhibition matches. Ian Bridge
819-529: The PCSL in 2010, finishing in second place. In 2011, they decided to move up to the USL W-League , the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada. They would also field a reserve U20 squad in the USL Super 20 League . They made their W-League debut on May 14, 2011 against the Seattle Sounders Women . In early 2012, the club announced that Peninsula Co-Op would become
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#1732786680689858-491: The Presenting Partner of the women's team, with the team being re-branded as Peninsula Co-Op Women's Soccer , due to the high costs (particularly travel costs) associated with running the club in the W-League, as they only averaged approximately 200 fans per home game in 2011, although the Highlanders would continue to be the operators of the team despite the name change. The team would also change their colours from
897-466: The Supporters Board belong to all members equally. The structure is to facilitate a formalized way to provide feedback, voice opinions, help guide the club's direction, and expand the club's membership base. Day-to-day club operations are handled by senior club management. The Highlanders are cheered on by members of the supporters group Lake Side Buoys (LSB). The Highlanders' mascot is
936-646: The WPSL have taken their playing careers to the next level by signing professional in the NWSL and top leagues overseas. WPSL Alumnae have also reached international status by making international rosters seen in the FIFA Women's World Cup and the Olympics . Notable alumnae include Brandi Chastain , Kristine Lilly , Heather Mitts , Julie Foudy , Shannon Boxx , Alex Morgan and Leslie Osborne . The Jerry Zanelli Cup
975-657: The Western Division of the W-League , before breaking away to form its own league in 1998. The league is sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association , an affiliate of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). WPSL teams feature collegiate and post-collegiate players, who currently or previously played across all divisions of the NCAA , NAIA , and NJCAA . Former players of
1014-778: The club withdrew from the league due to rising costs. as Victoria Stars FC as Victoria Highlanders as Peninsula Co-op Highlanders as Victoria Highlanders FC Victoria Highlanders Victoria Highlanders FC is a Canadian soccer team based in Victoria, British Columbia , Canada. The club was founded in 2008. The team had played in the American USL League Two from 2009 to 2019 (except 2015) and in League1 British Columbia from 2022 to 2023. The team's colours are white, black, and gold. The Highlanders were founded in 2008 when
1053-752: The finals, where they lost in a penalty kick shootout to Khalsa Sporting Club. After a successful season in the PCSL, the club started making plans to return to the USL PDL. During the USL Winter meetings in December 2015, Diercks and Dew purchased the PDL franchise rights from the Puget Sound Gunners FC and rejoined the PDL on January 29, 2016. Also in 2016, the Highlanders forged a partnership with English club Sheffield Wednesday . In 2018,
1092-566: The formation of the NWSL, which the three former WPS teams joined. In 2021, the WPSL announced its second division, WPSL U21, which is scheduled to begin play in mid-2021. In September 2024, WPSL announced a change to the WPSL U21 program, evolving it to the WPSL Division II, which provides a pathway for higher developmental opportunities. The new division is set to launch in 2025, with an emphasis on competition and standards through
1131-1059: The four Highlander teams with the Victoria Rebels Football Club of the Canadian Junior Football League and other tenants resulted in the move to Royal Athletic Park in Victoria in the middle of the 2011 season. At the Royal Athletic Park, the team was a secondary tenant to the Victoria HarbourCats baseball team, consequently having their home matches scheduled around those. In 2016, they moved to Centennial Stadium in Victoria. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. This list of notable former and current players who went on to play professional soccer after playing for
1170-497: The franchise and branding rights to the Highlanders from previous owner Alex Campbell reviving the team and announcing that they would join the Pacific Coast Soccer League for the 2015 season. After a good run in the regular season, the Highlanders finished third overall and clinched a berth into the Sheila Anderson Memorial Challenge Cup play-offs. In the playoffs, the Highlanders advanced to
1209-589: The league announced the sixth team will be Georgia Impact FC. The league needs six teams to conform with US Soccer Division III Professional League Standards On February 20, 2024, the league announced the seventh team signing a letter of intent was AC Houston Sur for the 2025 season. On February 22, 2024, the league announced the first team signing a letter of intent for the 2026 season was Dakota Fusion FC . To celebrate Women's History Month, WPSL Pro revealed it's temporary branding and new website. The league confirmed they would reveal their official branding later in
Victoria Highlanders FC (women) - Misplaced Pages Continue
1248-568: The league occurred on May 23 with the women's match against the Whitecaps FC Academy , serving as the first ever match for the league. In 2023, they won the League1 BC regular season title, qualifying the team for the 2024 Canadian Championship , before being defeated by the Whitecaps FC Academy in the playoff final. In April 2024, the club withdrew from the league due to rising costs, in addition withdrawing their spot in
1287-416: The operators of the team despite the name rebrand. The women's team folded after the 2014 season and was not part of the 2015 revival with the new ownership group. In 2021, it was announced that the Highlanders would be joining the new League1 British Columbia in both the men's and women's division, with the men's Highlanders organization merging with the women's club Vancouver Island FC , which played in
1326-743: The original title, finishing second to the Whitecaps due to a tiebreaker. In 2013, they won their first Northwest Division title, as well as the Western Conference Championship. In the playoffs, they defeated Ventura County Fusion and Portland Timbers U23s in the first two rounds, before being defeated by the Thunder Bay Chill in the semi-finals. In 2014, the club played exhibition matches with Scottish club Rangers F.C. and NASL club FC Edmonton . They finished second in their division in 2014, but lost in
1365-681: The play-in round of the playoffs 7-2 to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 , but they did capture their first Juan de Fuca plate title after defeating the Whitecaps U23 in both regular season matches. In January 2015, team owner Alex Campbell Jr. folded the team due to not finding financial partners amid mounting financial losses, as the club had never posted a profit since 2009. However, on April 1, Marvin Diercks and Dave Dew, long time Victoria soccer advocates, purchased
1404-549: The team in the Premier Development League, or those who previously played professionally before joining the team. The Highlanders also established reserve teams. In 2009, their U20 reserves only played exhibition matches, before joining the Men's Premier Division of the Pacific Coast Soccer League in 2010. In March 2011, the Highlanders announced an affiliation with a Nanaimo-Ladysmith based group to be named
1443-519: The year. In July 2024, WPSL Pro announced their ninth LOI from a group led by Gina Prodan Kelly to bring a club to Northeast Ohio. WPSL Pro reached the milestone of their 10th LOI from Soda City FC from Columbia, South Carolina , in August 2024. In September 2024, WPSL Pro announced their 11th and 12th LOIs, the first from Wichita, Kansas , and the second Indios Denver FC from Denver, Colorado . On April 2, 2024, WPSL announced they had partnered with
1482-622: Was named Miller's replacement for the 2010 season. In 2011, they qualified for the playoffs for the first time after placing second in their division, but lost to the Fresno Fuego in the first round by a score of 3–1. In 2012, the Juan de Fuca Plate , which was awarded to the best British Columbia PDL team based on matches between the clubs (originally the Highlanders, Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 , and Fraser Valley Mariners and later TSS FC Rovers ). The Highlanders finished as runners-up for
1521-686: Was the Bear Mountain Stadium in Langford, British Columbia , achieving great attendance in their inaugural season. The team debuted in the 2009 season, after spending a year assembling a coaching staff under head coach Colin Miller and recruiting a roster. They played their first match on May 1, 2009 against the Spokane Spiders , winning by a score of 1–0, with the first goal in franchise history being scored by Patrick Gawrys. They finished their inaugural season placing 5th in
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