Last week, Calgary was announced as the latest city to join the newly formed Canadian Premier League of Soccer.

Cavalry FC will begin playing their matches at Spruce Meadows in Calgary in April 2019 but excitement for the club is already brewing.

General Manager and Head Coach of Calvary FC Tommy Wheeldon shares how exciting the team is not just for Calgary but for Airdrie as well.

“We’re going to draw from all the outer regions as well. My friend Steve Thomas, we played together back in England and he’s now the Technical Director of Airdrie Soccer. He’s got a lot of good players and good, interested Soccer families. I’m sure if there’s a 30 to 40-minute drive to go watch a live professional game, then people will make the effort because it will be worthwhile for them.”

Wheeldon says that the club hopes to build on success stories like Owen Hargreaves and Charlie Trafford who were Calgary natives that chose to join teams in the UK.

With Calgary soon to field this pro-level team, Wheeldon hopes that more players won’t have to leave the Province to play competitively.

Wheeldon hopes that the team will inspire up and coming players from Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane and beyond.

“I believe the last number I read was there’s 45-thousand registered Soccer players in Southern Alberta. They now something tangible that they can see, touch, feel right in front of them and that’s all we want to do is inspire the next generation.”

With Canada, USA and Mexico joining to bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Wheeldon says that the team can help develop players for that tournament and inspire future generations of Soccer enthusiasts.

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