Vancouver Rise FCs Holly Ward transfers to NWSL\u2019s Seattle Reign FC<\/p>\n
Published 2:50 pm Friday, March 13, 2026<\/p>\n
Vancouver Rise FC\u2019s forward Holly Ward has transferred to the National Women\u2019s Soccer League\u2019s (NWSL) Seattle Reign FC, the club announced Friday (March 13).<\/p>\n
The Vancouver native signed with the Rise FC in February 2025 and started in 27 of her 28 appearances during her rookie season with the Vancouver Rise FC. Ward scored the winning goal in the Northern Super League (NSL) championship game against AFC Toronto in November 2025.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been an incredible journey,\u201d said Ward on her move. \u201cHaving a professional league in Canada and playing for Rise FC in my hometown has been a dream come true for me. I\u2019m so proud of what we were able to achieve in this first year, winning the NSL championship. There is now a pathway for every young player to achieve their dreams, and I am excited to see more players from the academy play for the club. Leaving Rise FC is obviously bittersweet, but I\u2019m extremely grateful for everything the club has done for me and I\u2019m super excited for this next chapter of my career.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Vancouver Rise FC are part of Canada\u2019s first professional women\u2019s soccer league, the Northern Super League, which debuted in 2025. The other clubs are Calgary Wild FC, Halifax Tides FC, Montr\u00e9al Roses, Ottawa Rapid FC and AFC Toronto.<\/p>\n
Stephanie Labb\u00e9, Rise FC sporting director, said, \u201cThe Northern Super League was built to give players opportunities in our country, and Holly has taken that opportunity and thrived.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a landmark moment for our club, to see a player come through our pathway and show every player in our academy what\u2019s possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ward joined the Rise FC Academy, formerly Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy, in August 2018.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have seen her rise through our club from hometown prospect to Canadian national team player, and NSL championship hero. Holly is not the first player from our academy to move into a professional career, but she is the first to begin her professional career with her hometown team and earn a transfer which will benefit her, the club, and the league. Participating in the global transfer market is key to the growth of the NSL, and there is a wealth of Canadian talent who will continue to come through our pathway and help us compete for trophies.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seattle Reign FC general manager Lesle Gallimore is excited to have Ward on their team.<\/p>\n
\u201cHolly Ward is an exciting young forward with tremendous upside and a mentality that fits exactly what we\u2019re building at Seattle Reign FC.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s already shown her ability to impact games with her pace, work rate and creativity in the attacking third, and her rise with the Canadian national team speaks to the quality and potential she brings to our club,\u201d Gallimore said.<\/p>\n
Ward was transferred for \u201can undisclosed transfer fee,\u201d the Rise FC said in a press release Friday (March 13).<\/p>\n
The Vancouver Rise FC kick off their second season with the first home match against AFC Toronto. The last time the two teams faced off was in the Northern Super League championship match, which Rise FC won 2-1.<\/p>\n
About the Author: Anna Burns<\/p>\n
I cover breaking news, health care, court, Vancouver Rise FC, Vancouver Goldeneyes and social issues-related topics for the Surrey Now-Leader.\u00a0anna.burns@surreynowleader.com<\/a>\u00a0Follow Anna on Twitter<\/a>.<\/p>\n