Electric City Football Club Will Play Inaugural Season At Fleming College Sports Complex

Electric City Football Club (ECFC) has formed a partnership with Fleming College to utilize the Fleming College Sports Complex as their home stadium for the 2022 Men’s and Women’s League1 Ontario Season.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

The partnership will see both Fleming College Athletics and ECFC promote Fleming Knights Soccer, Fleming College, and the community of Peterborough as a must-visit destination for Canadian soccer fans from May to August.

“We are excited to play our inaugural season at Fleming College, overlooking the rolling hills of Peterborough County, on the beautiful campus of Fleming and home to the Fleming Knights,” ECFC President Rob Jenkins said. “We are thankful for the staff at Fleming College who have been great to work with and have been very accommodating in meeting our needs. We are excited to have them on board as a long-term partner as they have committed their support for the club for years to come.”

The facility will be transformed for the season and will include local food vendors, music, a kids zone, beer gardens, supporters area, family zone, and a VIP area along with 90 minutes of exciting professional soccer.

The capacity of the stadium is being temporarily increased to 2,000 for the season with the hopes that the community will come out and support Peterborough’s newest sports franchise.

Photo courtesy of ECFC.

“It is an honour for Fleming to be selected as the home stadium for the 2022 Men’s and Women’s League1 Ontario Season,” said Fleming College President Maureen Adamson. “As a community partner and public asset, we look forward to welcoming athletes to our beautiful campus and strengthening our partnership with ECFC.”

ECFC kicks off their League1 Ontario home schedule at Fleming College, May 7 as the Men’s side hosts Windsor TFC. A week later, ECFC Women’s side will host Blue Devils FC on May 14.

Season Tickets are available starting Monday to those who purchased Season Ticket Deposits and March 30 to the public at 11 a.m. Single game tickets will be available to the public starting April 19. ECFC kicks off its inaugural season on April 21 in Guelph versus the defending L1O Champions and on April 23 for the Women when they travel to take on Alliance United.

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Peterborough & District Soccer Referees Association In Need Of Match Officials For The Season

The Peterborough & District Soccer Referees Association is facilitating a virtual community info session via Zoom for anyone in the community interested in becoming a match official, on April 6 at 7 p.m.

U-17 BOYS COMPETITIVE SOCCER EXHIBITION TOURNAMENT AT TRENT U APRIL 2019: BETH (MIDDLE) WITH HER ASSISTANT REFEREES LIAM WILLISTON AND JAMES MONTAGUE. (PHOTO BY PETERBOROUGH AREA DISTRICT REFEREE COORDINATOR, MICHAEL SMITH.)

This session is being held in hopes to address the the local match official shortage.

“Locally, we are at a crisis point, especially when it comes to recruitment of older youth and adults that can be eligible to officiate competitive matches,” said Beth McLelland, vice president of Peterborough & District Referees Association.

She notes that in 2019 Ontario Soccer registered over 9,000 Match Officials, while in 2021 they registered less than 3,500

The session will share what refereeing opportunities exist in Peterborough and surrounding area, the benefits of refereeing, and how to become a match official.

Anyone is welcome to attend the information session. There will be time at the end to ask questions.

To register for the session click here. Questions can be directed to ptbo.district.soccer.refs@gmail.com.

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Electric City Football Club Welcomes Former Greek Super League Player and Former New Zealand Pro League Player

Electric City Football Club has announced that it has agreed to terms with former Greek Super League midfielder Angelika Mihalopulos and former New Zealand Pro League player Adrian Gallo.

ECFC's two newest players, Angelika Mihalopulos and Cobourg resident Adrian Gallo smile after signings contracts with the Peterborough-based pro soccer team. Photo courtesy of ECFC.

Mihalopulos, 28, is a midfielder from London, Ontario, who recently played professionally in Greece in the Women’s Alpha division for AEL FC. She started 16 games and helped lead the team to a fourth place finish in the Greek First Division.

“Angelika has been a top player in League1 Ontario over the past few years. She brings a lot of experience into our team this season. Angelika is a very composed player capable of playing out of high pressure situations. She’s the type of player that fits into our playing philosophy perfectly,” said ECFC Women’s Coach Randy Ribeiro. “Her defensive work rate is outstanding and she breaks up a lot of passes coming into midfield. We are thrilled to add a player of Angelika's experience and quality into our team here at ECFC this summer.”

Prior to playing for AEL FC, Mihalopulos played for the Western Mustangs and Fanshawe College. During her time at Western University she was named a OUA First-Team All-Star and at Fanshawe College she was a CCAA National Championship Tournament All-Star in 2019.

In 2019, she joined FC London in League1 Ontario, where she played 9 regular season games and 5 playoff games en route to leading the club to a League1 Ontario Championship over Oakville Blue Devils. During last year’s shortened season, Mihalopulos started 10 games and scored 1 goal and was named a League1 Ontario Second Team All-Star leading the team to a Regular Season title.

“There are a number of things that attracted me to ECFC. The biggest thing was how passionate everyone was about this project. It wasn’t just about having a team in League1 Ontario or going to the CPL, but bringing something even bigger to Peterborough. Something the community would be proud to stand behind,” Mihalopulos said. “Another thing that attracted me to ECFC is the standard they are setting in the league. Not just in the men’s game but on the women’s side as well, it’s super exciting.”

On the men’s side ECFC has added Adrian Gallo, 28, who resides in Cobourg with his wife, after a great career abroad and at other successful L1O programs including in 2019 when Gallo represented the Oakville Blue Devils side that won the L1O Regular Season.

“Adrian is a player that we are excited to bring into our team here at ECFC. He has experience playing at the League1 level and is coming back from spending some time playing over in New Zealand,” ECFC President Rob Jenkins said. “Adrian is a technically sound midfielder that we believe fits into what we want to do here very well. His level of professionalism and experiences will really help with the development of the younger players we bring in here that aspire to make the jump to the next level.”

Abroad, Gallo played professionally for Bay Olympic AFC in Auckland, New Zealand in the county’s Lotto LRFL league. Gallo has had training stints with professional clubs in Spain, including Getafe B, CF Fuenlabrada and in Italy’s Serie D. As a youth player, Gallo had trials and trained in Argentina.

“When I got back from New Zealand, I moved to Cobourg and had hoped a club would form somewhere near the Kawartha Lakes. When I heard of Electric City FC, the people involved in the project, the ambitious plan, and the community support, I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of,” Gallo said of joining ECFC. “It’s an honour to be joining Electric City FC, a club that is making waves in Canadian football. It’s exciting to be a part of the historic first year.”

Player announcements are expected to continue over the coming weeks as the team builds its roster leading to training camp in early April. Roster spots are still available and interested players are encouraged to attend open try-outs on April 2. Open Try-Out Registration, Season Ticket Vouchers, and Sponsorship Packages are available now at electriccityfc.com

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Electric City Football Club Signs Two Professional Footballers Marking The Clubs Inaugural Signings

Electric City Football Club (ECFC) has confirmed the signing of professional footballers Sona Makulova and Zach Ellis-Hayden as the club’s inaugural signings.

Photo courtesy of Electric City Football Club.

Both players have had success in Canada and are both coming off successful professional international seasons in Italy and the United States respectively.

The first player officially joining the ECFC Men’s team, Zach Ellis-Hayden (29), is an experienced Kitchener-born defender who has spent the last 6 seasons playing professionally in the USL Championship. Ellis-Hayden is a very attacking-minded right back with great pace and can create opportunities for his team through his crossing ability.

For the past two seasons Ellis-Hayden has been a regular starter for OKC Energy and in 2021, no Canadian player in the USL Championship (one division below MLS) performed better analytically than Ellis-Hayden, according to FotMob data.

“Zach is a player we have been following closely over the past few years as we believe he is one of the most skilled and dynamic Canadian footballers playing in the USL and anticipate that he will be a fan favorite,” said ECFC President Rob Jenkins of the Club’s first signing, “We are excited to add a player of his experience, quality, and character to the team and will be looking for him to play a large role in what we are building in Peterborough both on and off the pitch for years to come.”

Ellis-Hayden got his professional start when he was signed by MLS side Orlando City SC in 2016 after a standout career at NCAA Division 1 school Cleveland State University where he played 58 games and in his final year was named to the All-Horizon League Second Team and NSCAA Division I Men's All-Great Lakes Region Third Team. He played for Orlando City B for two seasons where he had 45 appearances.

Ellis-Hayden then signed with ambitious USL Championship expansion side Fresno FC, who were also the reserve team for the Vancouver Whitecaps and made another 50 appearances over two seasons before signing with OKC.

“(Fans) can expect to see consistent performances which is important as a defender. For me, giving your most every day in training and games goes a long way, so for me effort is number one.”

On the Women’s side ECFC has added a player in Sona Makulova (25) who has excelled at every level she has competed in including Canada, Italy and the Czech Republic. Makulova was born in the Czech Republic and played competitively there while growing up. She moved to Canada at the age of 12 with her family and settled in Scarborough. She has continued to play the game in Canada and excelled during her time playing at Seneca College and in League1 Ontario before moving to the professional game in Italy with Ternana Calcio in 2021.

“I am thrilled to have Sona join our team here at Electric City FC. She is someone that I have had to coach against during her time in League1 Ontario and at the Collegiate level. She is a player that can take over a match and win a game for you,” ECFC Women’s First Team Coach Randy Ribeiro said. “Once I heard Sona was interested in returning to Canada after her playing stint overseas, I knew she was a player that I wanted to bring into our program. She will be a player the fans will enjoy watching every week and I am excited to have her join Electric City FC this summer.”

Makulova was a two-time Seneca Sting Athlete of the Year and helped the women’s varsity team capture the silver medal during the Ontario Colleges Athletics Association (OCAA) championship during the 2019-20 season. She was also named the 2018-19 OCAA Women’s Soccer Rookie of the Year and 2019-20 OCAA Women’s Soccer East Player of the Year, as well as a 2019-20 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association All-Canadian. Makulova also played three standout seasons in League1 Ontario, two with the Sanjaxx Lions out of Toronto and one with FC Oshawa where she won the 2019 League1 Ontario Goal of the Year.

“Once I spoke with the coaches and heard about their ambition and what they are trying to accomplish in League1 Ontario, I was excited because I know it is going to be beyond anyone's expectation,” Makulova said of her new team, “Electric City is going to bring professionalism and take the game to the next level. It's an honor to be part of Electric City FC and be part of something new with this much ambition, excitement, and passion.” When asked what fans can expect to see from her on the pitch she responded with, “I am going to bring leadership, experience, passion, and a strong desire to win.”

Player announcements are expected to continue over the coming weeks as the team builds it roster leading to training camp in early April and kickoff later that month. Season Ticket Vouchers and sponsorship packages are available now at electriccityfc.com.

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Former St.FX USports Standout And All Canadian Randy Ribeiro Joins Electric City Football Club’s Coaching Staff For 2022

Electric City Football Club (ECFC) has named Randy Ribeiro the club’s League1 Ontario Women’s first Team Coach and Men’s Assistant Coach.

Randy Ribeiro and Rob Jenkins. Photo courtesy of Electric City Football Club.

Ribeiro joins ECFC from FC London and Fanshaw College where he worked with ECFC Head Coach Michael Marcoccia as Assistant Coach of the League1 Ontario Women’s program for the past four years and Fanshaw College Women’s team for the past three. He has also been Head Coach of FC London’s League1 Ontario Women’s Reserve Team for the past four years and assistant on the League1 Ontario Men’s Reserve team for the past two.

“I am really excited to continue my coaching career with Electric City FC,” Ribeiro said, “I’m looking forward to being in Peterborough with the athletes and creating a brand of football that the community will enjoy watching and be proud of.”

As a player, Ribeiro was formerly the captain of FC London’s men’s side, where he played for 5 seasons. Ribeiro retired as the all-time leader in appearances for the London side with 72 from 2016 to 2021. Prior to FC London, Ribeiro played for St. Francis Xavier University for 5 years in Antigonish, Nova Scotia and during his time there was named Atlantic University Sport All-Star in 4 of his 5 years and U Sports All Canadian in 2013.

“We were very impressed with Randy’s coaching ability, relationship building, and record of success especially in the women’s game,” Club President Rob Jenkins said. “His drive, dedication, and ambition were evident from the first time we met. He has been a constant with Michael throughout the past five years in London and we are thrilled to have him join us in Peterborough to continue that tradition of success.”

Ribeiro is of Portuguese descent and holds a dual citizenship. In addition to his time at St.FX and FC London he spent three years with the Toronto Lynx in the USL Premier Development League and spent time training with the Professional Club CD Santa Clara in Portugal.

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Electric City Football Club Announces Partnerships With Five Local Soccer Clubs

Electric City Football Club (ECFC) have announced partnerships with five local youth soccer clubs, Maple Leaf Cavan FC, Peterborough City, Peterborough Youth Soccer Club, Northumberland United and Kawartha Lakes SC.

Photo courtesy of ECFC.

“It was important for us to reach out to the local youth clubs in the region to ensure that we are all united working towards the same goals of bringing professional soccer to the community,” ECFC President Rob Jenkins said, “The clubs have been really supportive of what we are trying to do and it’s been amazing to see them all come together for the cause, despite being competitors on the pitch, which hasn’t always been the case in other markets I have been in.”

“The partnership between clubs is about the future and supporting the soccer dreams and aspirations of young players,” said Maple Leaf Cavan FC president Scott Poser. “Together our clubs are providing a pathway for players to develop and achieve their potential. For some, this will mean playing at the highest level of competition in Ontario.”

Peterborough City Soccer Club President Dan Moore says the partnership will be mutually beneficial.

“Long has this city thirsted for a destination for local soccer talent with a higher level of exposure. It is our hope that this becomes an avenue to even bigger stages for our players. The greater exposure will no doubt create greater interest and investment in our sport, as it brings entertainment and pride to the city.”

Northumberland Soccer Club President Ryan Goodall has spoken about the partnership and how both clubs will benefit.

“There is the opportunity for us to help promote and encourage our membership to go and watch these high-level soccer games close to home. The NSC can benefit from potential fundraising activities, player training camps and technical support. We are looking forward to a long-standing partnership with Electric City FC to help promote soccer in Central Ontario and help grow the love of this sport.”

Electric City FC Head Coach Michael Marcoccia indicated that this project is about much more than just bringing professional soccer to the community.

”Our hope as a professional club is to work with these youth clubs to help develop the talent in the region so that in the future we have a team full of local talent that came through our partner youth clubs,” said Marcoccia.

Photo courtesy of ECFC.

“The KLSC is excited to partner with Electric City FC as they bring top level men's and women's soccer to the Kawarthas,” said Kawartha Lakes Soccer Club President Steve Hayman. “We look forward to cheering on the ECFC teams, as well as working with their players and staff to grow the game and develop local players in this region.”

Peterborough Youth Soccer Club President Shawn Harris says this partnership will bring many opportunities to Peterboroughs entire soccer community.

“PYSC is thrilled about partnering with ECFC. We are excited about the opportunities it brings to the whole soccer community in Peterborough. We look forward to working together for many years to come”.

Electric City Football Club are scheduled to kickoff their Men’s and Women’s League1 Ontario seasons in late April with a final Open Tryout scheduled for April 2 and training camp beginning in early April. Season Ticket deposits and registration for the open tryout are both available at electriccityfc.com.

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Jordan Haynes Becomes First Peterborough Man To Win Canadian Premier League Soccer Championship

History was made as Peterborough’s Jordan Haynes became the first Peterborough soccer player to capture a Canadian Premier League title on Sunday.

Jordan Haynes was the surprise guest during the Electric City Football Club’s Season ticket launch party on Tuesday. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Haynes earned his first title in his second season with the club. He started as the left back in the 1-0 Pacific FC win over the defending-champion Forge FC at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton.

"Two years ago, I never would have expected to be in a position to even be playing for a title in a professional league in Canada in my second season with them (Pacific FC),” said Haynes. “The emotions that were running through my head during the game, after the game, and even now are still surreal."

The win was a measure of revenge for Pacific FC since Forge FC defeated them in each of their three regular-season matchups 3-0, 2-1 and 2-1 respectively.

"Everyone was counting us out,” explained Haynes. “Pacific has never beaten Forge historically so we said let's win when it matters and obviously this is the most important one we've had against them ever. If anything, that just fueled our fire more. We believed in ourselves, that's all that matters. When it happens like that and you come on top, it's just even more sweet."

Pacific FC became the third seed for the playoffs with a 13-9-6 record. They advanced to the finals after a 2-1 over Cavalry FC-2.

Haynes signed with the Pacific FC in October last year.

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League1 Ontario Welcomes Electric City Football Club to Men’s Premier Divisions for 2022

Peterborough officially has a professional soccer team as the Electric City Football Club (ECFC) has been welcomed in the League1 Ontario Men's Premier Division for the 2022 season, the ninth campaign for the Provincial Division III league announced on Wednesday.

The team was announced on Aug. 9 at the Silver Bean Café. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

ECFC joins League1 Ontario by virtue of acquiring the license previously held by Toronto Skillz FC, who joined L1O in 2016.

“Welcoming an organization like Electric City FC, that is laser-focused on bringing both elite amateur and professional football to their community, is an exciting addition to our league,” said Dino Rossi, League1 Ontario executive chairman. “We are so pleased to see the support that the community of Peterborough has shown already for this club and we look forward to supporting ECFC's efforts to create a pathway to professional soccer for aspiring players in the Kawartha region.”

Driven by local passion and strong community support, this group has been focused on bringing a soccer team to Peterborough over the past number of years.

During this time, ECFC was able to build a strong foundation for the club and put together an amazing local ownership group and management team that is committed to working with the community to build a world-class professional soccer club that the people of Peterborough can be proud of. This hard work finally came to fruition on Aug. 9 when Electric City Football Club was formally announced.

Supported by the Club’s local ownership group, consisting of Neil Morton, Kyle McDonald, Burton Lee, Mo Von Roeder, Beth McClelland, Jon Gillan, Richard Wood, Alex Bridal, Siam Grobler, Alvaro de la Guardia, Paul Bennett, Keaton Robbins, Rob Jenkins and Gregory Couch,

ECFC President Rob Jenkins brings a wealth of experience to the organization, having played a critical role in the launching of two of the most successful soccer clubs in Canada, Cavalry FC (CPL) and Foothills FC (USL2).

“We are extremely excited to officially be part of League1 Ontario and to begin on-field preparations for the 2022 season,” said Jenkins. “This League has seen many players go on to professional careers at the next level and represent their country with the Canadian Men’s and Women’s National teams, and we hope to continue that tradition in Peterborough.”

The ECFC logo launch party was on Aug. 13 at the Spa Euphoria rooftop. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The name Electric City is a reference to the region’s beginnings dating back to the late 1800s when the rivers provided the electric energy, sparking an industrial revolution and attracted companies like General Electric and Quaker to the city, forming the foundation of what Peterborough is today. The team colours of yellow and black represent the hard-working people of the community while also inspiring growth and ambition for future generations.

“This city is primed for something like this and the support we have received from all corners of the community has been overwhelming,” Jenkins continued. “This region and its people deserve the opportunity to showcase itself to not only the rest of Ontario, but to the rest of Canada and the World, and what better way to do so than through the beautiful game.”

The club is working in partnership with Hybrid Sports on a 74 Acre Sports Complex on the edge of Peterborough where they are building a world-class multi-sport training facility including a full-size indoor pitch and an exclusive ECFC soccer stadium, with brand new grass pitch, that the Club will call home.

The full stadium is being built in stages over the next 3 years, with the grass pitch being ready for the team in the spring along with temporary seating and structures for 2022.

“We are building a professional club in Peterborough with the intention of competing at the highest level of the game in Canada in both the Men’s and Women’s game and everything we do is with that in mind,” said Jenkins. “We may be a small market but we have big ambitions.”

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Peterborough Welcomes Electric City Football Club

Electric City Football Club is now officially part of the soccer scene in Peterborough and will be a part of League1 Ontario, the provinces Pro-Am, standards-based, senior soccer league.

Supporters and those involved in the club pose in the Electric City Football Clubs colours at Mondays announcement. Photo by Kirtus Evoy.

At a press conference held Monday at The Silver Bean Café the team announced its ownership group, a team name, and its first club President.

Rob Jenkins was officially announced as the Electric City FC President. Jenkins joins the club after being involved in the launching Cavalry Football club in the Canadian Premiere League (CPL) and Foothills Football Club of the United Soccer League 2, two of the most successful soccer clubs in Canada.

“I am really excited to be part of this adventure and have been blown away by the community of Peterborough and its people,” said Jenkins. “The support I have seen thus far leads me to believe that together we can achieve something really special.”

During the official announcement at the Silver Bean Cafe Jenkins introduced the Club’s local ownership group, including: Neil Morton, Kyle McDonald, Burton Lee, Mo Von Roeder, Beth McClelland, Jon Gillan, Richard Wood, Alex Bridal, Siam Grobler, Alvaro de la Guardia, Paul Bennett and majority owner Gregory Couch.

The team colours, yellow and black, were also shared on Monday.

Electric City FC plans to kick-off in 2022 playing in League 1 Ontario Men’s division and adding a Women’s team in 2023, pending approval. The club also has ambitions to reach the CPL in the future.

“For Electric City FC to reach the heights of the CPL and be considered by the League as a possible expansion club it’s going to take the whole community to get behind the project and show the rest of Canada why Peterborough deserves to be in the country’s top professional league,” said Jenkins. “From what I’ve seen so far from Peterborough and the passionate, hardworking, and talented people who live here, they are up to the challenge.”

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Peterborough Woman On Her Love For The Beautiful Game & What Electric City FC Would Mean To Her

“I don’t believe skill was, or ever will be, the result of coaches. It is the result of a love affair between the child and the ball.” —Roy Maurice Keane

My name is Liz Shaughnessy-Rowe (aka “Coach Liz” to all the kids that play for Cavan FC) and my love affair with the beautiful game started the moment I stepped onto the pitch.

My summers and winters were spent battling with my teammates in pursuit of trophies and league titles. We definitely didn’t win every title or trophy and it wasn’t always easy, trust me, tears were shed in the process. Have you ever lost in a shootout before? Not exactly my idea of a good time. Sports have taught me that success and failure are both acceptable outcomes, since we learn more when we fail. In fact, I wouldn’t be who I am today without all those moments.

Liz Shaughnessy in action (Photo by Jay Callaghan)

So of course when we signed our kids up at U4 to be the next Canadian superstars, I obviously wanted to be their coach. Eventually I had the opportunity to coach them in rep soccer at a soccer club that I instantly fell in love with, Cavan FC, a club that feels like a family.

While coaching, I can’t tell you how many times I just wanted to put my cleats on and go out on the pitch and finish the game and although I love coaching, I realized I really missed playing competitively. 

(Photo by Jay Callaghan)

I missed being apart of the moment and being able to change the outcome of the game as a player. The moments where time slows down and you and you’re teammates flow into space. Decisions are made and seconds change the outcome of those decisions.

Although I had fun with a beautiful team (you know who you are), recreational soccer just wasn’t enough anymore. I needed to see if I still had it.️ So after 17 years of recreational soccer I finally started playing competitively again (insert heart busting out of chest emoji). 

(Photo by Jay Callaghan)

Cavan FC had a very successful men’s team and I thought it was time we had a woman’s team for the girls in our club to look up to. I can’t even begin to tell you how amazing it was to finally play competitive soccer again. Travelling to other cities with my teammates representing Cavan FC and kicking butt was exactly what I needed. I enjoyed every single moment knowing that I don’t know how many more seasons I have left of competitive soccer.

Cavan FC women’s team finished our inaugural season in first place (if you’re not first you’re last!) and yes this old lady even won the golden boot. But my favourite thing that happened my first season as a player coach was that I once again fell in love with the beautiful game—this time on a whole new level.

(Photo by Jay Callaghan)

See each time you play it, you fall deeper in love with it. When you coach it, you fall in love with it. When you watch it (which I didn’t start doing until 2018 World Cup and now I’m obsessed), you fall in love with it. More recently, with #covid2020 random pickup soccer with amazing people from all over the world, you fall in love with it. They don’t call it the beautiful game for nothing.

Liz with her daughters

When I had the opportunity to talk with all the guys involved behind the scenes of the Electric City Football Club (ECFC) startup about their vision and what it meant for our area, I was so excited. Let me tell you why. 

The first person that told me about the League1 Ontario team was Neil Morton. Fun fact: I once got him a three month supply of Crest Whitestrips for making a joke about how white his teeth are on Twitter and tagging Crest in the tweet. But enough about Neil’s white teeth, we’re talking about footy! Anyone who knows Neil knows he’s extremely passionate about our community and he also loves the beautiful game. So if he’s excited about the potential that it has for our unique community, then that fires me up.

(Photo by Jay Callaghan)

Then cue Keaton Robbins (the guy who peer pressured me to write this). You only have to speak to him once to understand how brilliant he is and to know he is a lifelong fan of the game! So after meeting with Keaton for lunch and understanding this is going to actually be a thing, I got even more excited.

Then I got on the phone with future ECFC head coach Adrian Cann and that’s when I knew this football club has all amazing people involved in it. Not for their own personal glory but to see the game grow and for their love of our community and the game. I instantly loved his passion not only for the game but for coaching and helping kids who want to do more then just play for their local club with his ability to connect you all around the world. Plus he’s a centre back, and you’ve got to be a smart hard working player to play that position at a professional level.

Adrian Cann in his Toronto FC days (Photo courtesy Adrian Cann)

Now it’s time to talk about why I’m so excited and what it means for our area! I am one of the technical trainers for all age groups in Cavan FC. If you get stuck chatting with me about footy, you will know my passion is long term player development. I love planting seeds of development, building their foundation, and helping them find their soccer personality knowing that in the process I’m helping them fall in love with the beautiful game.

So now while I’m coaching and planting seeds of development, I can now also plant seeds of an actual future in this sport. Which up until now to have a future in this sport, you had to leave our city. Now we will have a real local opportunity to allow kids to keep dreaming that they have a chance to do something with the sport they love. 

(Photo by Jay Callaghan)

League 1 Ontario is a stepping stone in a development system to being noticed beyond your own city. Look at Alphonso Davies making history at Bayern Munich as the first Canadian men's player to win a Champions League title. The world is taking notice that maybe Canada does know how to play.

He had some words of advice for anyone looking up to him and following to follow in his footsteps in these tweets…

Who would have guessed it a kid from Canada, Edmonton Alberta. Most people don’t even know where that. Where it snows I’m talking -40 weather, he’s now a champion league winner 😌💪🏾🙏🏾 #AD19⚡️

— Alphonso Davies (@AlphonsoDavies) August 24, 2020

This one for everyone who’s chasing a dream right now, take it from me don’t give up it may seem impossible now but just keep working on your kraft keep grinding 🙏🏾

— Alphonso Davies (@AlphonsoDavies) August 24, 2020

Did you know three prominent Canadian players were also vying for the Champions league trophy on the women’s side? Ashley Lawrence and Jordyn Huitema played for Paris Saint-Germain, and Kadeisha Buchanan who played for the champions, Lyon—making this Buchanan’s fourth consecutive champions league title. Pretty impressive and she played a full 90 minutes to boot.

Electric City Football Club isn’t just a great opportunity for soccer in our community. What gets me excited is the potential it brings for girls in our community. This will be the first sport that offers a semi-pro opportunity in the area for girls! How amazing is that?!

According to Gatorade's “Girls In Sports” study, girls are dropping out of sports at one and a half times the rate that boys do by age 14. By age 17, more than half of girls will quit playing sports altogether. Which is a shame because it’s important for girls to find something they’re awesome at, and that it’s okay for girls to kick boys’ butts! It’s easy to write that but the reality of it is it’s tough being taught to be a female athlete. 

Society demands compliance to the enforced gender order. When these gender norms are violated, it is common for labels to be given. In fact, I’ve had my sexuality questioned on more then than one occasion only because I’m a strong athlete. I grew up with both my parents playing sports and remember my mom telling me a story that after she hit a home run in baseball, one of the husbands on the other team yelled out “I bet she stands up to pee” inferring that only a man could be strong enough to to hit a home run.

I guess he never met my sister who after her softball games would come home with Dairy Queen in hand and we would ask, “How many home runs did you hit today Kate?” Strength, determination and competitiveness doesn’t have a gender. So please, if you’re reading this stop acting like woman can’t compete, we live for game night the same way as anyone else!

All of these things feed into a pressure female athletes face. If you stand out, you don’t necessarily get the same attention a male athlete gets. Some see muscular as manly instead of strong and beautiful. Theodore Rosevelt said “comparison is the thief of joy” and unfortunately today’s girls are bombarded with images of external beauty and not enough of those confident, strong athletic female role models who kick ass.

We shouldn’t be trying to be look like each other or comparing ourselves to others because we all have a unique gift. We are all built differently and we should learn to love and embrace ourselves because let’s be honest: every single one of us is insecure about something!

So if the number of girls participating in sports starts decreases in the teenage years, then so do the programs for the sport of their choice. Meaning they have to settle to play on a less competitive team because they still want to play or they have to leave the area to pursue their dreams of playing at a higher level.

(Photo by Jay Callaghan)

Having a League1 Ontario opportunity for the girls of our area would be amazing because if you’re good enough, you’re old enough and League1 Ontario teams are made up of mixed ages, highlighting the strongest talent in the area. So I look forward to seeing the day when Electric City Football Club rolls out their women’s side!

But let’s remember one thing: Peterborough creating a Football Club doesn’t just happen over night. Look at Leeds United, for example: It only took them 16 years to get back in the Premier League and their fans have been there every step of the way! So join me from Day 1 one to support our local Football Club and be apart of watching what it will grow into.

Photo by Ontario Soccer League

And yes, I’ll be that crazy lady in the parking lot before the games tailgating and in the stands, with signs cheering for the home team!

—Liz Shaughnessy-Rowe

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