The Victoria Highlanders Football Club has had a couple of exciting years showcasing their brand of sports entertainment! This new organization was founded in early 2008 when the United Soccer League (USL) awarded the City of Victoria the rights to a Premier Development League (PDL) franchise.
One of the main catalysts for the formation of this club was the highly successful 2007 FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup tournament. Local businessman Alex Campbell Jr. saw that Victoria was ready to embrace high level soccer and set about to achieve this dream.
After a year spent establishing a coaching staff and holding open trials to evaluate players, the Highlanders began their inaugural season in April 2009. The team began play out of the newly constructed Bear Mountain Arena, and right off the bat achieved spectacular attendance stats. The team achieved an impressive 6-6-4 record in their first season, showing steady improvement.
For the 2010 season, the Highlanders have introduced a women’s squad. The former Victoria Stars of the Pacific Coast Soccer League were acquired by the Highlanders, and have posted an impressive first season with the new club, posting a 12-3-1 record, finishing second in the league to the Vancouver Whitecaps Prospects.
Perhaps the Highlanders most valuable benefit to the city of Victoria lies in its dedication to supporting youth soccer development. The club has initiated an academy program for boys and girls aged 12-17, a pro-d day mini camp program, and there are plans for summer camps starting in 2011.
Despite being a fledgling organization, the Highlanders already understand the importance of involvement in their community and have proudly supported:
- MS Kick for the Cure;
- Tour de Rock;
- Juvenile Diabetes;
- Breast Cancer Foundation;
- CNIB;
- Boys and GIrls Club;
- Kickin Schools, and
- Several local Soccer Associations
With this kind of community support and given the popularity of soccer in Victoria, surely the Victoria Highlanders will continue to be a successful source of sports entertainment in the future.
