As Halifax prepares for April kickoff, city embracing 1st pro women’s sports team

The excitement in the air was palpable as kids and adults lined up in the Halifax hotel ballroom on a cold night in early February for a chance to take a picture with Jawslyn, the shark mascot of the Halifax Tides FC. The Northern Super League (NSL) was gearing up for its inaugural season, and the team was meeting with their season-ticket holders for the first time.

The Tides may not have played a game yet, but the buzz surrounding the team was undeniable. From the teal scarves worn by Jawslyn to the team’s merchandise, the Tides were already making a splash in Halifax. Fans, both new and old, were eager to show their support for the city’s first women’s professional sports team.

For many, like Meredith Higgins, the opportunity to see women’s professional soccer in Halifax was a dream come true. As a former soccer player herself, Higgins never imagined she would see the day when women could play professionally in her hometown. Seeing her favorite player, Erin McLeod, take the field was a moment she had been waiting for.

Katie Malone, a new soccer fan, was also thrilled to support the Tides. She had been eagerly anticipating the arrival of a women’s professional team in Halifax and was excited to be a part of the team’s journey.

The NSL had teams from coast to coast, and the Tides were just one piece of the puzzle. Led by club CEO Courtney Sherlock and president Val Malone, the team was shaping up to be a force to be reckoned with. With players like Erin McLeod and Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir on board, the Tides were ready to make their mark on the league.

The move to Halifax was significant for McLeod and Jónsdóttir, who had ties to the city through Jónsdóttir’s late aunt, Gunn Baldursson. Their decision to move their family across the Atlantic was a testament to their commitment to the team and the league.

As the team prepared for their first game in April, head coach Lewis Page was hard at work getting to know his players and building a cohesive team. With the addition of players like Milly Clegg and local Nova Scotia talent, the Tides were poised for success in their inaugural season.

The energy in the hotel ballroom that night was electric, a sign of the excitement and anticipation surrounding the Halifax Tides FC. As the team prepared to make history in the NSL, fans were ready to show their support and cheer them on every step of the way. It was a night to remember, a glimpse into the bright future of women’s professional soccer in Halifax.