Building a professional soccer team requires many components—players, staff, investors, and fans. But for Ottawa Rapid FC, one key element stands out: relationships. As the club prepares for its debut in the Northern Super League (NSL), fostering strong connections between players, staff, and the community has been at the heart of its formation.
“It’s really been at the forefront of everything we do,” said sporting director Kristina Kiss, a former Canadian national team player. “A team that gets along off the field will perform better on the field, especially in the women’s game.”
At the helm of this culture-building approach is head coach Katrine Pedersen, a UEFA Pro Licence holder with a decorated playing career for Denmark (210 caps) and extensive coaching experience. Pedersen believes relationships are the foundation of success.
“They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,” she said. “We’re going to build the culture and get on the same page when it comes to football.”
Pedersen’s reputation extends beyond tactics—she’s known for her holistic coaching style, which values players as individuals as much as athletes. Defender Susanne Haaland, who played under Pedersen in Norway, describes her as “an extremely nice person” and “a coach who really wants people to develop and be at their best.”
The importance of relationships has influenced player signings as well. Desiree Scott, a longtime anchor of the Canadian national team, will bring leadership to Ottawa’s first season. Local players like Florence Belzile and Kayla Adamek have deep ties to the city, while international recruits such as Haaland add both experience and a commitment to shared values.
Beyond training, Ottawa Rapid FC has focused on team-building, from skating on the Rideau Canal and trying BeaverTails to a cabin retreat in Quebec for bonding exercises. These efforts help lay the foundation for the club’s identity, both on and off the pitch.
“For me, it’s crucial to build a team environment where people feel comfortable and where we build each other up,” said Haaland. “We all have the power to mold our team and culture into what we want.”
Ottawa Rapid FC will make its highly anticipated NSL debut at TD Place Stadium in Lansdowne Park on April 27.
Source: Swifteradio.com
