Vancouver Rise FC has officially separated from its inaugural hire, sporting director Steph Labbé, as part of a strategic shift in resource allocation, the Northern Super League (NSL) team revealed on Friday. Interim president Aditi Bhatt stated that the decision to eliminate the sporting director role was made in preparation for 2027, leading to Labbé’s departure from the club.
In response to the club’s new direction, Labbé acknowledged the change in an online statement, expressing gratitude for her time at Vancouver Rise FC and highlighting her contributions to the growth of women’s professional soccer in Canada. The team, which claimed the NSL championship last season, is currently striving for a playoff spot in the league with a record of 8 wins, 11 losses, and 4 draws.
Labbé, renowned for her goalkeeping prowess, achieved Olympic glory at Tokyo 2020 by securing Canada’s first-ever Olympic soccer title. Having also earned a bronze medal at Rio 2016 and competed in three World Cups, Labbé retired as a player in 2022 before transitioning to roles with Vancouver Whitecaps and subsequently Vancouver Rise FC.
The departure of Labbé marks the second major change within the Rise organization in recent times, following the replacement of head coach Anja Heiner-Møller with assistant coach Iain Darbyshire. Chief soccer officer Robyn Gayle will maintain leadership of the club’s sporting division, as confirmed by the Rise press release.
