New soccer club kicks off in North Van
North Vancouver now has its own semi-professional soccer team, after Altitude FC launched as part of the new League 1 BC (L1BC) this spring.
The club includes both a men and women’s team who compete as part of double-headers as part of other L1BC teams. The league’s inaugural season consists of seven teams, including five based in the Greater Vancouver area and squads from Saanich and Kamloops. Each team will play 12 games in a home-and-away round robin, with the top two meeting on the BC Day long weekend for the league championship. The winner of the men’s division could compete in next year’s Canadian Championship tournament against sides from Major League Soccer and the Canadian Premier League.
Altitude FC made their debut on May 22 away at Rivers FC, falling 2-0 in the women’s match and tying 1-1 in the men’s contest. Both squads are largely made of young and developing Canadian players, although there are international players from Brazil, Senegal and the United States.
The team has partnered with sponsors such as Whistler Brewing Co. and Blue Shore Financial. Sponsorships and the selling of jerseys and other promotional products help smaller sports teams to survive and provide a place for athletes to develop.
Altitude FC’s regular season will continue until July 24, concluding with a home tie against Langley-based Unity FC. The team plays all its home matches at Kinsmen Stadium.
The club includes both a men and women’s team who compete as part of double-headers as part of other L1BC teams. The league’s inaugural season consists of seven teams, including five based in the Greater Vancouver area and squads from Saanich and Kamloops. Each team will play 12 games in a home-and-away round robin, with the top two meeting on the BC Day long weekend for the league championship. The winner of the men’s division could compete in next year’s Canadian Championship tournament against sides from Major League Soccer and the Canadian Premier League.
Altitude FC made their debut on May 22 away at Rivers FC, falling 2-0 in the women’s match and tying 1-1 in the men’s contest. Both squads are largely made of young and developing Canadian players, although there are international players from Brazil, Senegal and the United States.
The team has partnered with sponsors such as Whistler Brewing Co. and Blue Shore Financial. Sponsorships and the selling of jerseys and other promotional products help smaller sports teams to survive and provide a place for athletes to develop.
Altitude FC’s regular season will continue until July 24, concluding with a home tie against Langley-based Unity FC. The team plays all its home matches at Kinsmen Stadium.