What does it actually take to build women’s professional soccer in Canada from the ground up?

In this episode of Tune Up Your Warrior, Jenny sits down with Tom Gilbert, CEO of Ottawa Rapid FC and one of the co-founders behind the Northern Super League, for a conversation about vision, belief, business, and what it takes to build something before the rest of the market fully catches up.

Tom shares how he met Diana Matheson during their Executive MBA, how the two joined forces to help bring women’s professional soccer to Canada, and why Ottawa became such an important part of that story. He also reflects on what it meant to build Rapid FC quickly, attract 7,000 fans to the home opener, and create a club identity rooted in culture, community, and a fan-first mindset.

Together, Jenny and Tom explore:

• what it takes to build a women’s sports franchise from scratch

• why women’s sports can no longer be viewed as charity or social impact alone

• how business momentum is changing the future of women’s soccer

• what it means to build belief before the results fully speak for themselves

• how culture, team values, and community rituals help shape a club’s identity

• and why this moment matters not just for Ottawa, but for the future of women’s professional sports in Canada

  
  

This is not just a sports story. It is a leadership story. A startup story. A city-building story. And a reminder that some of the most meaningful things we build start with people willing to believe early.

And if you’re in Ottawa, come out on Thursday, July 16 to catch some of the best soccer you’ll see anywhere. Jenny will be shooting the T-shirt cannon at halftime, and it’s going to be such a fun one.

Find out more about Rapid FC here: https://www.rapidfc.ca/