VideoAnalysisBased on factual reporting, it incorporates the expertise of the writer and may offer interpretations and conclusions.

Quinn’s inaugural NSL goal is a big deal for trans sports

ANALYSIS: The Vancouver Rise midfielder ensured that trans people will play a starring role in the new era of sports in Canada

By Mel Woods • April 17, 2025 4:04 pm EDT

The brand-new Northern Super League kicked off this week with the inaugural match between the Calgary Wild and Vancouver Rise at BC Place Wednesday night.

The new six-team league, co-founded by soccer legend Diana Matheson, is the first women’s professional soccer league in Canada.

The game’s only goal—and the very first goal of the league—was scored as a penalty kick by Vancouver midfielder Quinn in the first half.

Senior editor Mel Woods breaks down the significance of Quinn, who’s already blazed trails as the first openly trans or non-binary person to win an Olympic gold medal, writing their name into Canada’s professional soccer history books, particularly in this current political moment.

More From This Contributor

Senior editor Mel Woods is an English-speaking Vancouver-based writer, editor and audio producer and a former associate editor with HuffPost Canada. A proud prairie queer and ranch dressing expert, their work has also appeared in Vice, Slate, the Tyee, the CBC, the Globe and Mail and the Walrus.

Read More About:
Video, Identity, Culture, Video, Analysis, Trans, Canada, Non-binary, Sports

Keep Reading

Education

Alberta law aims to ban ‘ideology,’ non-government flags in schools

Bill 25, introduced in the legislature this week, will prohibit teachers and school districts from promoting or taking stances “social or ideological” issues
Justice

U.S. Supreme Court rules against Colorado conversion therapy ban

The landmark 8-1 decision could have sweeping repercussions on LGBTQ2S+ rights and health care regulation across America
Two photographs of trans organizer Alison Laing for Trans Day of Visibility
History

What trans visibility looked like in the 1950s

Photos of beloved organizer Alison Laing show how trans visibility has persisted for decades
TV & Film

There’s no excuse for ‘The Last of Us’ casting a cis actor to play trans

Putting the care into casting a young trans actor might be a challenge. It’s also an opportunity
Advertisement