Calgary Blizzard SC
 | |
| Full name | Calgary Blizzard Soccer Club |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1967 |
| Stadium | Broadview Park |
| Men's Head coach | Ramon Mifflin |
| Women's Head coach | Diogo Raposo |
| League | League1 Alberta |
| 2023 exhibition | League: 2nd Playoffs: Champions |
| Website | Club website |
Calgary Blizzard Soccer Club is a Canadian soccer team based in Calgary, Alberta that plays in the men's and women's divisions of League1 Alberta.
History[edit]
The club was founded in 1967 with a team of 11 and 12-year-old boys, who represented the province of Alberta at an Expo 67 soccer competition in Montreal, and upon their return, they adopted the name of a defunct Canadian Junior Football team (North Hill Blizzards) and became an official club.[1] In March 1977, the club was registered as a Society in the Province of Alberta.[1]
In August 2019, they received the National Youth Club Licence from the Canadian Soccer Association, which recognizes the highest achieving organizations from across Canada and must adhere to a set of standards for club and player development.[2] However, in January 2022, their national youth license was revoked due to player recruitment infractions.[3][4]
In 2023, they joined the semi-professional League1 Alberta, operating a team in the women's division for the league's Exhibition Series.[5] During the 2023 League1 Alberta Exhibition Series, which was run in advance of the league's formal debut in 2024, the Blizzard finished second in the regular season stage, before defeating St. Albert Impact in the championship final on penalty kicks.[6][7][8]
For 2024, they added a men's team in League1 Alberta, enabling them to field a team in both the men's and women's divisions for the league's first official season.[9]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "History". Calgary Blizzard SC.
- ^ "Seven Alberta Clubs among recipients of first ever Canada Soccer national youth club licence". Alberta Soccer Association. August 6, 2019.
- ^ Saelhof, Todd (January 12, 2022). "Blizzard soccer club has national licence pulled by Canada Soccer". Calgary Sun.
- ^ "Canada soccer announces removal of Calgary Blizzard from national youth club licence holder list". Canadian Soccer Association. January 10, 2022.
- ^ Saelhof, Todd (June 8, 2023). "Pathway falling into place for young female Calgarians to step toward domestic pro soccer". Calgary Sun.
- ^ "League1 Alberta Exhibition Series Celebrates Its First Champions". League1 Alberta. July 31, 2023.
- ^ Mahmoudi, Nelson (July 30, 2023). "Inaugural League1 Alberta Champions Crowned In Weekend Showdown". Northern Tribune.
- ^ "Calgary Blizzard claim women's title in League1 Alberta's inaugural soccer series". Calgary Sun. August 3, 2023.
- ^ "League1 Alberta Returns For The 2024 Season". League1 Alberta. December 4, 2023.
