Calgary Wild FC captain Meggie Dougherty Howard discusses opportunity, community and the future of women’s sport.
The launch of the NSL marks a major moment for women’s sport in Canada. What does this league represent to you personally?
The NSL to me represents growth. For so long, opportunities for female players to compete at the highest level had been lacking. But with this league, so many more players can showcase their skills on this stage. And to me, the league also represents belief. From the owners who started these teams, to the players who took a chance joining a new league, to the fans who came out and supported in year one. I think one thing we all have in common was the belief in what we know this league can become and the importance of it for the women’s game.
What role do leagues like the NSL have in changing who gets to play, watch, and belong in sport?
The NSL is playing a huge part in supplying more opportunities for women and players who have spent their whole lives dedicating themselves to the sport. It allows players who have in the past had to seek professional opportunities overseas to come home and play in front of family and friends. It gives internationals the chance to come to Canada and experience the culture here, and bring their culture into the locker room and make the product on the field more global. This league is giving more opportunities for coaches to lead at the highest level. And it gives fans, who for so long have had to seek out other leagues in different countries to find teams to support, the opportunity to get behind new teams. I’ve seen firsthand just how passionate the fans in this league are. It’s also really unique, with the league being so new that every fan who comes to a game is helping to grow the league and create the environment at their club.
Looking ahead, what gives you the most hope for the future of women’s sport in Canada?
What gives me the most hope for women’s sport in Canada is the opportunities that young fans will now have to see the women’s game up close and be able to engage with players. Those experiences will go on to shape those young fans as they get older. Maybe some of them will become players themselves. Maybe some we’ll go on to work in marketing or advertising and want to work for a sports team. Maybe some will go on to work in the medical field and become physios and want to work with women’s sports. The opportunities that women’s sports provide go far beyond just the players. The game builds community, whether you’re working in it or supporting as a fan. And that’s what sport is all about.
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