Halifax latest city to sign up for women’s pro soccer league

TORONTO — Halifax, in the form of the Atlantic Women’s Football Club, is the latest city to join Project 8, the women’s professional soccer league taking shape across Canada.

The brainchild of former Canadian international Diana Matheson, Project 8 announced last week that six franchises have submitted applications to Canada Soccer to join the new league. Those applications for professional club admission will be considered at the governing body’s annual general meeting in early May in Montreal.

Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto were the first to come on board. On Tuesday, Halifax officially joined them.

“Halifax is a soccer city,” said Courtney Sherlock, co-founder and CEO of the Halifax entry. “The support is just phenomenal. We’re very encouraged and truly believe that people will come out and support our team as well.”

Sherlock is a veterinarian and entrepreneur with ownership in six hospitals.

“Nothing to do with soccer ever, other than my children who’ve played,” she said with a laugh.

A mother of three, Sherlock’s 13-year-old and 17-year-old daughters both play soccer. She also has a 15-year-old son.

Matheson, who is co-founder of Project 8 along with Thomas Gilbert, described Sherlock as a pleasure to work with — an entrepreneur who has built “very successful businesses before.”

“She knows fully what she’s getting into,” she added. “She’s tackled it from Day 1 with such experience and passion. She doesn’t come from soccer. She just comes from real strong business fundamentals.”

The Halifax franchise has three investors so far with Miriam Zitner and Adam Baggs joining Sherlock.