1 / 1 Filmmakers followed Olympic medallist Diana Matheson over two years to document her efforts as she set out to build the Northern Super League (NSL). Culture Shift Media Inc./ Contributed to Surrey Now-Leader Advertisement
A new documentary set to premiere this fall details the birth of Canada's first professional women's soccer league.
Filmmaker Michèle Hozer followed Canadian Olympic medallist Diana Matheson over two years to document her efforts as she set out to build the Northern Super League (NSL).
The documentary, The Pitch, offers viewers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what it took to establish the league. A news release describes the journey as "a modern David-and-Goliath story, as they confront institutional resistance, doubters and naysayers, and the weight of doing something for the first time."
"It's been a whirlwind few years -- with so many challenges, struggles, emotions and milestones -- and now Canada is home to professional women's soccer," said Diana Matheson, founder and chief growth officer, Northern Super League. "The Pitch takes me back to those early days and shows how the community and the country rallied around a belief in our league. There's still much work to do, but everyone at the NSL, along with our supporters, is so proud of what we've accomplished so far."
The documentary is premiering at the Atlantic Film Festival on Sept. 15 and 16. After that, it will go on a cross-country tour, which is presented by Canadian Tire and will be shown in each city that is home to an NSL team.
The Northern Super League comprises six teams: Vancouver Rise FC, Calgary Wild FC, Halifax Tides FC, Montréal Roses, Ottawa Rapid FC, and AFC Toronto. The inaugural season kicked off in April 2025.
"I thought I was making a film about building something new. What I came to understand is that this league is a response to everything these women were denied," said Michèle Hozer, director. "This is more than a sports story, it's a story of perseverance, equality and the people building the future of women's soccer in Canada."
The Pitch will air on TVO on Nov. 9 and TSN and RDS in spring 2026.
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