Calgary-raised Winnipeg Jet, Josh Morrissey, and wife Margot, join ownership group for Alberta’s only professional women’s sports team

CALGARY—Afghan-Canadian professional footballer, Farkhunda Muhtaj, was officially welcomed as the first player named to the Calgary Wild FC roster, while Calgary-born NHLer, Josh Morrissey, announced  he will join a growing ownership group backing the Club during a media conference on Friday.

Signing the captain of the Afghanistan Women's National Football Team – a social activist who bridges the world of sport, education and humanitarianism – sets the tone for the culture and values the Calgary Wild FC will exude on and off the pitch, putting an emphasis on inclusion in sport as a catalyst for positive change within the community.

“It is an incredible honour to be the first player named to a Club that symbolizes the start of something special in Calgary, Alberta and Canada for women's soccer,” said Muhtaj, who plays as a midfielder. “As both a player and community ambassador, I understand the responsibility to lead by example on the pitch through my athletic performance and off the pitch through community work. For me, it's also personal, as an Afghan immigrant and the daughter of former refugees, this is an opportunity to prove that dreams are attainable no matter where you come from or what obstacles you face.”

Farkhunda Muhtaj’s parents, Rashad and Zohra Muhtaj, are Afghan refugees who immigrated to Canada when Farkhunda was just two years old. They came with the dream of building a vibrant future for their children, one they were deprived of due to civil war.

As co-founder of the Scarborough Simbas, a non-profit organization, Farkhunda uses sport to support the settlement of refugees in Canada. She also founded Ayenda FC, the unofficial Afghan Youth National Football Team, in 2021, following her being a key figure in the evacuation of over 300 Afghans, including members of the Afghanistan Youth National Team, to Portugal after the Taliban's return to power.

“Community impact is at the core of everything I do, and that will not change with Calgary Wild FC. I want to inspire young Calgarians, especially girls and newcomers, to chase their dreams, whether those dreams are on the soccer pitch or in any other area of their lives,” said Muhtaj. “As an immigrant, and someone who has been deeply involved in helping refugees and newcomers, I want our team to be role models so that young people can see themselves reflected in the team. I hope to show them that no matter their past, a brighter future is within their reach.” 

There is no better role model for all Canadians than Muhtaj. Her changemaking efforts have been recognized by global organizations, including FC Barcelona, UNHCR, York University, World Football Summit, the Canadian Premier League, WomenforWomen International and more while serving as an ambassador for several international causes. She holds two degrees from York University where she captained the varsity women’s soccer team, earning a BSc in 2019 and a B.Ed in 2021, along with many accolades for her performance on the pitch including USPORT Academic All-Canadian, OUA First-Team All-Star, and an OUA Gold Medal.

“I hope my story, and others on the Calgary Wild FC roster, will become a source of inspiration and pride for our community, showing young girls they belong in sports and that their dreams can come true,” added Muhtaj, who recentlly played for Fortuna Sittard in the Dutch Eredivisie, and is now excited to return home and contribute to the growth of women’s football.

“Beyond just playing the game, I want this team to be a powerful vehicle for positive social change, tackling both local and global issues that resonate with our players and community members. By using soccer as a platform, we can celebrate the city's diversity and create a safe space for everyone to come together and enjoy the beautiful game.”

The powerful sport movement building within the community of one of the six founding teams of Canada’s first professional women’s soccer league caught the attention of NHL defenseman Josh Morrissey and his wife Margot.

A leader on and off the ice with the Winnipeg Jets, the Calgary born-and-raised Morrissey expressed his commitment to being an active part of this journey for the Calgary Wild FC, providing a financial boost to the Club as one of the organization’s founding investors. Beyond the financial commitment, Morrissey plans to be an active board member and team owner, bringing his own sports knowledge and perspective as a professional athlete to the ownership group. For Morrissey, using his platform to make meaningful contributions outside of hockey has always been important. With strong ties to Calgary, along with plans to return back home after his playing career, the Morrisseys are excited about the investment in the Calgary Wild FC, and committed to helping make a team in Calgary sustainable.

Proud of their Calgary roots, contributing to making their community better has been important to the Morrisseys off the ice, which led them to an investment in the Calgary Wild FC to contribute to having a sustainable team in Calgary.

"I am incredibly excited and honoured to be part of the Calgary Wild FC ownership group. My career as an athlete has given me so much, both personally and professionally, so the opportunity to be involved with Calgary Wild FC in a different way within the sporting world is extremely exciting,” said Morrissey. “Given the incredible success our Canadian women have achieved on the international stage, it’s about time we establish a league that showcases their talent and dedication. I truly believe that this league will inspire the next generation, and I can't wait to see what we can build together.”

Earlier this week, Calgary Wild FC announced Lara Murphy as chief executive officer of Calgary’s first women’s pro sports team, and that Lisa Oldridge will take on chief financial and operating officer responsibilities. Murphy and Oldridge will fulfill a shared dream to build women’s soccer in Canada.

“We said it was going to get wild in bringing the Northern Super League to Alberta, and that certainly is the case with these first landmark announcments for our Club that are sure to positively change the landscape of women’s soccer in Alberta,” said Murphy. “We have built our foundation on the bedrock of inclusion and community. Farkhunda and Josh exemplify these values while leveraging the platform they have in sport to make their communities better. I can’t think of two better role models who support the Calgary Wild FC’s mission – on the pitch and in the community – to kickstart the growth of an inclusive fan base that is wild for soccer while providing a source of inspiration in the lives of young Calgarians, Albertans and Canadians. It is an absolute privilege to have both of them share this journey with all Albertans.” 

Murphy’s immediate priorities over the coming weeks will be to continue to assemble the Calgary Wild FC’s staff and coaches, while officially welcoming additional players to the roster who will represent the city, bringing the “call of the wild” from Calgary’s first professional women’s soccer team when the season opens this spring.

About Calgary Wild FC

Calgary Wild FC is one off six teams in the newly created Northern Super League which will begin its inaugural season in 2025, featuring some of the best women’s soccer players in the world. Shop our exclusive merch and be one of the early #fansinthewild. For the latest news and information on Calgary Wild FC, visit www.calgarywildfc.com or follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and X.  Follow the league at www.nsl.ca.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Chris Dornan

Calgary Wild FC

T: 403-620-8731

E-mail: hpprchris@shaw.ca