The Northern Super League introduced its new championship prize, the Diana B. Matheson Cup, on Thursday. The trophy will be granted following the league’s inaugural Final on November 15 at Toronto’s BMO Field. Named after Diana Matheson, a former standout midfielder on the women’s national team and a driving force in establishing the Canadian women’s soccer league, the cup holds significant importance. Matheson expressed her humility, stating, “It’s incredibly humbling to see my name on the championship trophy, especially as it is a Cup that represents so much more.” She emphasized that the trophy symbolizes the players who laid the foundation for the league and those who will continue its legacy. The NSL’s board of directors unanimously decided to honor Matheson with the trophy.
Christina Litz, the president of NSL, remarked, “The Diana B. Matheson Cup is more than a trophy, it’s a symbol of a new chapter for Canadian sport.” She highlighted Matheson’s leadership, playing career, and pivotal role in bringing the NSL to life. The upcoming Final, to be broadcast nationally on CBC and live-streamed on CBC Sports and CBC Gem on November 15 at 1 p.m. ET, will be a momentous occasion. The NSL Final will also be aired on TSN, RDS, and CBC, with international coverage on ESPN+ and the NSL’s official YouTube channel.
The trophy, measuring just under 56 centimeters tall, features a bronze base layer and a gold body to commemorate Canada’s success in women’s soccer at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Adorned with the North Star emblem from the league’s logo, the trophy symbolizes excellence and achievement in women’s professional soccer. Matheson, currently serving as the chief growth officer of NSL, had a remarkable career with 19 goals in 206 appearances for the Canadian senior women’s team over 17 years.
Aside from her instrumental role in founding the NSL, Matheson’s contributions were globally recognized as she received the World Football Summit Award in the best women’s football initiative category. Fans will have the opportunity to view the Diana B. Matheson Cup during the fall as part of The Pitch national screening tour, a documentary following Matheson’s efforts to launch the first Canadian women’s professional soccer league. The tour will commence with screenings in Vancouver, Montreal, and Ottawa in October, followed by stops in Halifax and Toronto in November.
