The Halifax Wanderers have unveiled their plans to inaugurate a women’s team as part of their dedicated involvement in the upcoming League1 Atlantic, set to debut in 2024.

The announcement came from Halifax Wanderers Founder and President, Derek Martin, who expressed his enthusiasm for advancing women’s football in Nova Scotia. “The time is now to commit to the women’s game in Nova Scotia,” Martin stated. “Our ambition is to one day have both men’s and women’s professional football playing out of a permanent stadium at the Wanderers Grounds. We feel League1 Atlantic offers us the best opportunity to begin pursuing that ambition.”

In alignment with the formation of League1 Atlantic, the Halifax Wanderers have affirmed their commitment to fielding teams in both the men’s and women’s divisions for the forthcoming 2024 season.

The women’s team’s primary objective will be to assemble the finest local talent, with a focus on providing top-tier technical coaching and competitive experiences that mirror the existing League1 Canada structure. This newly established team will boast its own unique name and logo, which are anticipated to be unveiled in the coming months. The ultimate goal is to cultivate future professional players from the region and work towards the realization of a women’s professional football team right in Halifax.

On the men’s side, the Halifax Wanderers’ League1 team will adjust their current developmental approach to concentrate on nurturing under-21 talent within the region. This initiative will build upon the existing U18 program, further solidifying the club’s commitment to player development. Notably, the Wanderers have opted to forfeit any eligibility for their men’s team to compete in the Canadian Championship via League1 Atlantic, aiming to foster collaboration and participation among other clubs in the region.

Sporting Director Matt Fegan conveyed his excitement about this progressive step in the club’s developmental plans. “We’re excited to take this next step in the evolution of our development plans as we continue to contribute to improving the quality of male and now female player pathways in our region,” Fegan remarked. “This has intentionally laid the foundations for new initiatives like League1 Atlantic, which we strongly believe is needed for the long-term improvement of the game in our region.”

The Halifax Wanderers have also indicated that they will unveil further updates regarding additional investments aimed at enhancing player pathways for both male and female players in the region. As the anticipation grows for the launch of League1 Atlantic in 2024, the club’s commitment to fostering football talent and enriching the game’s landscape in the region remains resolute.