We the North may soon take on a new meaning.

Project 8, the organization led by former national women’s team star Diana Matheson that is bringing professional women’s soccer to Canada, announced Tuesday that the venture will now be called the Northern Super League (NSL).

Matheson, the CEO and co-founder of Project 8, also confirmed the six teams that will take part in the inaugural season that’s set to kick off in the spring of 2025, with Ottawa and Montreal joining the previously announced clubs in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Halifax.

Matheson made the announcement at the ESPN W Summit Canada in Toronto. The room, comprised largely of professional women in sports and broadcasting, gave the former Canadian international a standing ovation.

“Sit down, you’re going to make me cry,” Matheson told the crowd.

Speaking to TSN after the announcement, Matheson admitted how much that moment meant to her.

“That was unexpected. It made me a bit emotional, for sure,” she said. “It means a lot coming from this group, because this group knows the work that goes into the project and also the impact that it can have.”

The NSL will kick off in April 2025 and feature a 25-game regular season, followed by playoffs and a championship in the fall. All six clubs are owned and operated by independent ownership groups.

The league name came with the help of Broken Heart Love Affair, a global brand agency based in Toronto. Project 8 briefed them on the initiative and provided an overview of Canadian women’s soccer.

The aurora borealis inspired the league colours, with a four-point north star........

© TSN