Kaylee Hunter of AFC Toronto shares why the NSL is creating opportunities and inspiring the next generation.
The launch of the NSL marks a major moment for women’s sport in Canada. What does this league represent to you personally?
For me, the NSL represents a pathway to new opportunities. Growing up in Canada, there wasn’t a professional women’s league here that young players like myself could dream of playing in one day. If you wanted to pursue a professional career, you often had to leave home and play abroad.
Now, with the NSL, young girls across the country have the opportunity to watch professional women’s soccer right in their own communities. To be part of this league is incredibly special because we’re making history. We’re helping build the future of women’s soccer in Canada while inspiring the next generation along the way. That’s what means the most to me. We’re showing young girls that there is a place for them in this sport and that female athletes deserve the same opportunities, support, and recognition as anyone else.
What role do leagues like the NSL have in changing who gets to play, watch, and belong in sport?
Leagues like the NSL create visibility, and visibility is very powerful. When young athletes see people who look like them competing at the highest level, they begin to believe they belong there too.
The league is helping make women’s sports more accessible and visible, not only across Canada but around the world. It gives fans the chance to support and connect with players every week while creating a community that continues to grow. The more exposure women’s sports receive, the more opportunities are created for future generations. It helps break down barriers and sends a clear message that sport is a place where everyone belongs.
Looking ahead, what gives you the most hope for the future of women’s sport in Canada?
What gives me the most hope is seeing how many young girls come out to our games every week and the excitement on their faces when they watch us play. Inspiring the next generation and creating new opportunities for young girls is one of the biggest reasons why this league is so important, and that impact is only going to keep growing.
There has been a real shift in how people value women’s sports, not just here in Toronto but across the country. The interest, attendance, and support continue to grow year after year, and that’s incredibly exciting to be part of. I truly believe the future is bright for women’s sport in Canada, and I feel very fortunate to be part of the beginning of something that can have such a lasting impact.
Find more from Kaylee Hunter on Instagram.
