Inside Halifax Tides FC: Exclusive Interviews on the Vision Behind Atlantic Canada’s First Professional Women’s Soccer Team
Intro
Halifax is preparing to make history with the launch of Halifax Tides FC, the city’s first professional women’s soccer club. As part of the Northern Super League—a new six-team league bringing professional women’s soccer to Canada’s east coast—the Tides are generating excitement among local fans eager to support women’s sports. For Halifax, this team represents the highest level of professional sports in the city, and for the athletes, it offers an unprecedented opportunity to play professionally on home soil.
This article explores how the Tides are turning their vision into reality, from the planning stages all the way to their first match in April. I had the opportunity to speak with the key people driving this vision forward, including founder and CEO Courtney Sherlock and Business Development Manager Ally Pedvis. They shared valuable insights on how the team is positioning itself for success, with a focus on building strong partnerships and establishing a solid foundation for the future. Let’s dive into how they’re making it all happen.
Veterinarian Turned Sports Investor
Courtney, a Halifax-based veterinarian and entrepreneur, took a bold step into professional sports when she became the owner of Halifax Tides FC. Reflecting on her journey, she shares, “I was looking for my next challenge and business opportunity. The NSL and owning Halifax Tides FC is a great combination of business potential and doing the right thing for Canada, Nova Scotia, and women’s soccer in our country.”
As team owner, Courtney envisions Halifax as the ideal home for the Tides, a city with a passionate sports culture and a fan base ready to rally behind women’s soccer. Describing her day-to-day role, Courtney says, “My day-to-day involves a lot of consultations and meetings. I’m helping make key decisions and providing support to the operations team wherever they need me.” She anticipates her responsibilities will shift as the team’s staff grows and the season kicks off in April, allowing her role to balance out once the team’s foundation is fully set.
A Business Development Manager Driven by Purpose
For Ally, joining Halifax Tides was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. “Seeing the strides female athletes have made and the growing fan engagement, I knew I wanted to be part of this movement for equity and inclusion,” she shares. As the team’s Business Development Manager, Ally’s role is crucial to building partnerships that will support the Tides as they establish themselves in Halifax.
“On a daily basis, I focus on securing sponsorships, developing strategic partnerships, and creating collaborative opportunities with local businesses and community organizations,” she explains. With kickoff in April fast approaching, Ally has shifted her attention to long-term strategies, ensuring the Tides’ brand and partnerships are set for a strong inaugural season.
Building a Team for Halifax
Courtney and Ally both agree that Halifax is ready for a professional women’s soccer team. Drawing on the success of Halifax Wanderers FC, Courtney notes that the city has proven its support for soccer. “Halifax is a soccer city,” she says. “Our professional women’s team will be the highest level of sports team in Atlantic Canada, and we believe our city will be very excited to support this.” Unlike larger cities, Halifax isn’t home to NHL, NBA, or MLB teams, putting the Tides on par with the highest level of professional sports in Atlantic Canada—a position that promises strong local support and a unique opportunity to build community pride.
Ally echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the opportunity to inspire young fans and foster a community-driven culture. “The success of the Wanderers shows there’s an eager fan base here,” she adds. “Halifax’s younger, diverse population provides an engaged fan base, especially among youth who look up to strong role models in women’s sports.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
The Tides’ mission goes beyond winning matches—it’s about empowering and inspiring the next generation of female athletes. “Having the Halifax Tides in our area will give young female players something to aspire to,” Courtney explains. “Showing them what they can achieve is incredibly important.”
Ally envisions the Tides as a symbol of opportunity, working to break down barriers and challenge stereotypes in sports. “By engaging local schools, youth leagues, and community organizations, we’re creating opportunities for women to play, coach, and lead,” she says. “We’re fostering a culture of inclusivity, empowerment, and pride that extends beyond the field.”
Vision for Halifax Tides FC’s Partnerships Portfolio
As Halifax Tides FC embarks on its inaugural season, the vision for its partnerships portfolio is rooted in fostering long-term, meaningful relationships that benefit both the team and its partners. Ally shared, “At the core of this approach is the commitment to supporting and partnering with local businesses, as the team’s development is driven by the community, for the community. This focus on community-building will remain a central theme as the team grows.”
The Tides aim to partner with companies that are not only invested in women’s athletics but also share a dedication to fostering youth participation, social impact, and regional development. “The goal is to create a diverse ecosystem of partnerships that evolves with the team, contributing to the growth of women’s soccer and the ongoing development of Halifax and the broader community.”
Key Selling Point for Brands
For brands considering a partnership with Halifax Tides FC, especially while the team is still pre-revenue, Ally highlighted the unique opportunity to connect with a growing fanbase across Atlantic Canada. “With 2.6 million people in the region, we are positioned to become a major force for community engagement and regional pride,” she explained. “Partnering with the Tides now gives brands early access to a passionate, loyal audience, while helping shape the identity and success of the team from the very beginning.”
She further emphasized that these early partnerships provide visibility in a market with significant untapped potential. “Brands that align with the Tides now can position themselves as pioneers in the women’s sports movement in Atlantic Canada while championing diversity, inclusion, and community development,” Ally noted.
Purpose-Driven Partnerships and Social Impact Initiatives
In its first year, Halifax Tides FC is committed to integrating purpose-driven partnerships and social impact initiatives into its operations. “Our goal is not just to build a successful team, but to make a positive impact on the community,” Ally stated. “We are actively planning initiatives that align with our team’s values and provide tangible benefits to local causes and organizations, creating a ripple effect of positive change throughout Halifax.”
Leaving a Lasting Legacy
Looking to the future, Courtney and Ally have ambitious goals for the Tides, both as a competitive sports team and as a business. They aim to become a cornerstone of the women’s sports movement in Atlantic Canada, inspiring future generations of female athletes. On the pitch, they hope to build a championship-winning team. Off the pitch, they aspire to create a model for professional women’s teams in smaller markets, providing long-term value for local businesses and stakeholders.
“Our goal is for the Tides to serve as a successful model for women’s teams, becoming an essential part of Halifax’s identity and leaving a lasting legacy,” Ally shares. Their vision for the Tides is as much about shaping a new future for women’s soccer as it is about building a sustainable, community-focused business that contributes to the region’s development.
A Tidal Shift in Atlantic Canada
As the Halifax Tides gear up for their inaugural season, Courtney and Ally are setting a powerful course for success, driven by a vision to create something truly special for Atlantic Canada. By building a team for the community and by the community, they’re paving the way to inspire young athletes, unite fans, and elevate women’s sports in Halifax. This season marks just the beginning, as the Tides prepare to make waves not only in the Northern Super League but in the hearts of soccer fans across Atlantic Canada.
I hope you enjoyed the article and gained insight into how Courtney and Ally are setting up the Tides for long-term success. To learn more about the team and show your support, check out their official website here.