Photo courtesy CPL.
The commissioner of the Canadian Premier League (CPL) confirmed Friday morning that professional soccer is coming to Vancouver Island.
David Clanachan announced the CPL is granting a conditional club for Greater Victoria, awarded to SixFive Sports & Entertainment.
The BC-based group is led by former professional players and national team members Josh Simpson, who is from Victoria, and Rob Friend.
Vancouver-based financier Dean Shillington is also part of the group.
The new team will join the CPL in its inaugural season, which kicks off in the spring of 2019.
Full membership will be granted by the CPL with the completion of a lease agreement at Westhills Stadium in Langford.
The agreement includes improvements to the stadium which includes increased seating and bringing it up to CPL standards.
“We are incredibly excited about the possibilities in Greater Victoria and are confident that a professional team representing Vancouver Island can be an overwhelming success,” Clanachan said in a release.
“We have a terrific local ownership team with a track record of business success, combined with vast soccer experience and an undeniable passion for the game.”
The CPL calls itself “a league for Canadians, by Canadians” and will also have teams located in Calgary, Vaughan, ON and Halifax.
Andy Neal
