The vibrant deep purple symbolizes ambition and power. The bold red is not only Calgary’s civic colour, but it represents the fierce spirit of the Calgary Wild FC players.
That’s the meaning behind the design of the newly unveiled home team jersey, shown to media Thursday at McMahon Stadium, the upcoming home for the Northern Super League team.
Team captain Farkhunda Muhtaj showed off the team’s new home kit, adding that the owl emblazoned on the jersey represents silence until they’re ready to strike.
“We’re very honoured to be able to put this shirt on, and similar to the esthetic of this shirt, where it might seem very minimalistic, it’s actually has a lot of character,” she said.
“Similar to the owl that is very silent and strikes whenever we are silently ready. That’s similar to our Jersey as well, where we might seem like we’re simple, but we’re just waiting for the right time to attack, and we’re going to be fierce throughout the season.”
The team’s first game will be away in Vancouver on April 16 and they don’t return to play in Calgary until May 11, when they face Ottawa.
Muhtaj said she and the other players are looking forward to getting started this season, and the team is setting the pace as an ambitious league leader.
“I mean, it’s the inaugural season, so it’s going to come with a lot of successes, but a lot of learning opportunities as well. I think the NSL is doing a phenomenal job to set the stage for us all,” she said.
“I think our culture is extremely positive. The staff and the team and the coaching personnel as well, just mesh really positively. I think we’re going to have a stellar season ahead, and we are prepared and ready to take on this journey together.”
League, team going full steam ahead
Northern Super League president Christina Litz was in Calgary to attend the jersey reveal and she said she’s been from coast to coast experiencing the excitement building up for the league’s arrival.
“It’s amazing going to these different markets and seeing how much things have progressed in the last few months, and really seeing the players and seeing how excited they are about this dream really coming to reality is something that’s so thrilling to see,” she said.
There are still league-related items that need tending, related to different policies and guidelines, along with new team and staff onboarding. Big ticket items like the TV deal, streaming, and the schedule are already locked down.
“This is a start-up life, and this is a new league,” she said.
“So, every day, there’s new challenges that you have to face, but we have an incredible group of owners and teams across the country that are really making this come to life.”
Wild FC CEO Lara Murphy said that there’s a lot of work being done to prep the stadium and facilities to bring world-class women’s soccer to Calgary. The pitch at McMahon Stadium will be replaced at the end of the month, with the field widened, and there are locker room, bathroom and shower renovations happening at the field.
“Things are moving fast and furious to kick off,” she said.
Among the additions to the field will be a new line painting machine, which will ensure soccer lines are unimpeded on the turf. This is to ensure that the pitch meets FIFA guidelines, but is also easier for viewers to see and understand. There will also be hydraulics for the football goalposts, Murphy said.
“They’ll be flipping the field almost in the case of a room for an event, except this will be for sport,” she said.
There’s no exact figure on the cost, but Murphy said they have a great partnership with the McMahon Stadium Society.
“It’s definitely an investment that the society and the (Calgary Stampeders) and all of us that will be using the field came together to really see what was needed in order to make this, continue to be a world-class facility, and one in which we can come and play professional sport and have it safe for the athletes, and something that continues to be state of the art,” Murphy said.
Tickets are already on sale for home games via the website.
