Toronto, ON (September 17, 2024) —The Northern Super League, Canada’s professional women’s soccer league set to kick off in April 2025, is pleased to announce the expansion of its leadership team with four strategic executive appointments.

Marianne Brooks is appointed as Vice President of Partnerships; Jose Maria Celestino da Costa joins as Vice President and Head of Soccer Operations; Kelly Shouldice joins the Northern Super League as Vice President of Brand and Content; and Joyce Sou is promoted to Vice President of Finance and Business Operations. 

"I am thrilled to welcome Marianne, Jose, Kelly and Joyce to our executive team," said Christina Litz, President of the Northern Super League. "Their unique expertise and leadership are crucial as we lay the foundation for not just a successful league in Canada, but one that stands among the top sports leagues in the world. By investing in top-tier talent and infrastructure, the Northern Super League is committed to creating a league that will elevate the game and set new standards for women's professional soccer globally."

Marianne Brooks – Vice President of Partnerships

Marianne Brooks joins the Northern Super League  as Vice President of Partnerships with a mandate to drive new revenue to ensure the long-term success of the league. Brooks will work with league and club partners to fully capitalize on the excitement and energy surrounding women’s soccer in Canada.

 Brooks brings her 15 years of brand and partnership experience across the sports industry to the Northern Super League, including roles with agencies, rights holders, and technology companies. Based in Vancouver, Brooks spent a decade with Canucks Sports & Entertainment, playing a key role in partnership sales and retention efforts for the Vancouver Canucks, Vancouver Warriors, and Rogers Arena. Most recently, she served as Senior Director of Account Management at StellarAlgo, specializing in the Sports Partnerships vertical.

Jose Maria Celestino da Costa – Vice President and Head of Soccer Operations

As Head of Soccer Operations, Jose Maria Celestino da Costa will oversee all on-field matters, including competition standards, player and coach management and development, officiating, and scheduling. Da Costa will ensure the Northern Super League fully complies with FIFA, CONCACAF, and Canada Soccer standards.

Da Costa brings extensive experience to the Northern Super League from Estoril Praia, a men's first-division football club in Portugal, and from the Portuguese Soccer Federation. Da Costa managed club scouting, recruitment, and regulatory compliance, and one of the region’s top women’s programs within the F.A, by helping develop the Portuguese women’s league. His work has driven significant advancements for women's football in Portugal and Europe promoting new opportunities for players, coaches, and referees.

Kelly Shouldice – Vice President of Brand and Content

Kelly Shouldice joins the Northern Super League as Vice President of Brand and Content, overseeing marketing, broadcast, content, and communications. In this role, Shouldice will be instrumental in shaping and executing the league’s branding and content initiatives as it prepares for its highly anticipated launch in April 2025.

With more than 20 years of experience in cross-platform brand and content development, Shouldice has a proven track record of using data-driven strategies to build brand affinity. Her career includes leadership roles at Corus Entertainment, the Canadian Football League, and most recently as VP of Content and Communications at True North Sports + Entertainment, where she managed original content as well as business, and hockey communications.

Joyce Sou – Vice President of Finance and Business Operations

Joyce Sou has been promoted to Vice President of Finance and Business Operations, where she will oversee financial planning, analysis, and the league’s expansion strategy. Sou has managed logistics behind the league’s Project 8 phase and its initial launch.

Sou brings a wealth of experience in purpose driven finance and operations having previously served at, B Lab U.S. & Canada, an innovative non profit that seeks to redefine economic success through a community of certified companies (B Corps) committed to using business to benefit people and the planet. She also obtained her CA, CPA as an auditor at KPMG.

About the Northern Super League

Northern Super League is a new Canadian professional women’s soccer league, which currently consists of six clubs in key Canadian markets and is set to kick off in spring of 2025. The league is built by players and supporters of the beautiful game with best practices from around the world and aims to further Canadian excellence in sport, equity and inclusion. For only $50/seat, sports fans across the country can now secure their seats for the inaugural season of the Northern Super League. For more information and updates on the Northern Super League, please visit www.NSL.ca 

Media Contact: 

Greg McIsaac

Junction Communications 

greg@junctioncommunications.com

416-458-3591