Canada Soccer adds Breagha Carr-Harris as Head of Women’s Professional Soccer

Canada Soccer has identified the development of the women’s professional game as a key strategic priority and after an extensive international search has moved one step closer towards advancing this goal with the hiring of Breagha Carr-Harris as the Head of Women’s Professional Soccer.

“Now more than ever the women’s professional game deserves to have its rightful place in this country. We are very excited to welcome Breagha Carr-Harris to this newly created role which is critical to the advancement of the women’s professional game in our country,” said Dr. Nick Bontis, President, Canada Soccer. “Breagha’s experience from the grassroots through the professional game combined with her passion and commitment to the women’s game will be key in her leadership role as Chair of the new women’s professional task force that will draw on the expertise of our Women’s National Team Head Coach, Bev Priestman, former National Team players, provincial and territorial high-performance leagues, and the business community among others.”

Carr-Harris joins Canada Soccer with 15 years of broad-based experience as a sports professional, having worked with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment across all 6 brands (Toronto FC, Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Argos, Marlies and 905). As an NCCP certified coach, Breagha brings to the role over ten years of experience as a coach with youth and university level teams. A retired university level soccer player, Breagha’s professional experience spans a range of key operational areas within the professional game from a technical focus on sport development and match operations, to relationship management through membership engagement and player relationship management.

“It is an absolute privilege to accept the position having been involved with the game for over three decades as a player, coach and in the professional club environment,” said Breagha Carr-Harris, Head, Women’s Professional Soccer. “As a passionate supporter of the women’s game from the grassroots through to our Women’s National Team, I appreciate the dedication, commitment and support of Canada Soccer and our country’s players and leaders at all levels and am excited that we are in a position to be having the discussion on how to establish the women’s professional game in Canada.”

Through an extensive international search, Canada Soccer received over 70 applicants for the position of Head of Women’s Professional Soccer. The newly created, high-profile role will be dedicated to launching women’s professional soccer in Canada; a league that will promote equality, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation and that can be a platform for breaking barriers and developing women leaders.

The main objective for this position is to spearhead women’s professional soccer with a strong Canadian identity and prioritize the development of promising young Canadians. In doing so, we intend to raise the level of competition and provide viable role models to inspire the country’s next generation of women footballers, coaches, referees, and administrators.

“The foundation for women’s professional soccer expansion has been built in this country through the establishment of our Women’s National Team 35 years ago and its evolution to a fully aligned Program with Regional Excel Centres that has seen us return to the podium at three consecutive Olympic Games while also having the chance to play at home in record-setting FIFA competitions in Canada,” added Dr. Bontis. “This role and the evolution of the women’s professional game are critical to ensure we sustain our podium performances as the rest of the world increases their investment in the women’s game.”