Canadian men’s professional soccer players Charlie Trafford and Sam Adekugbe have kicked in to help Alberta’s only professional women’s sports team build a championship squad one week before the opening game of the Northern Super League. Read More
Canadian men’s professional soccer players Charlie Trafford and Sam Adekugbe have kicked in to help Alberta’s only professional women’s sports team build a championship squad one week before the opening game of the Northern Super League. Both men are joining the ownership group of Calgary Wild FC. “Being part of Wild FC is an honour, but what truly excites
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Canadian men’s professional soccer players Charlie Trafford and Sam Adekugbe have kicked in to help Alberta’s only professional women’s sports team build a championship squad one week before the opening game of the Northern Super League.
Both men are joining the ownership group of Calgary Wild FC.
“Being part of Wild FC is an honour, but what truly excites me is the mission behind it — a movement that’s creating opportunity, empowering women and inspiring the next generation with role models and belief. It’s about bringing communities together, growing the game of soccer across Canada, and building something bigger than any one team,” said Calgary-born Trafford, who recently retired from Cavalry FC after helping the club win the Canadian Premier League championship last year.
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“It’s a magical thing to witness, and an incredibly exciting time for Canadian soccer. Sport has the power to inspire and to teach — resilience, leadership, confidence — life skills that go far beyond the field. I’ve lived that journey, and it continues to shape everything I do. This league will elevate role models, open doors, and help shape a stronger, more connected future through the power of sport.”
Trafford played college soccer for York University before following a career that led him to the professional ranks in Europe. The former Canadian national team player began his senior professional career in Finland, playing with IFK Mariehamn, TPS and KuPS. His journey in soccer also made stops in Poland, The Netherlands, Scotland and Wales before returning to Canada to play with the hometown Cavalry in 2022.
“I was fortunate to play professionally in my hometown of Calgary and experience what that can mean. I had the privilege of being part of one of the strongest club cultures in the country, thanks to leaders like Linda Heathcott, Ian Allison and Tommy Wheeldon Jr. They built a culture of excellence and continuous improvement, and I carry those lessons with me,” added Trafford. “I hope to bring a piece of that experience to the Wild FC— to help bridge the soccer and business worlds, and to support this club in becoming something truly special.”
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Adekugbe, who plays left-back for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, was born in England and lived there until he was 10 years old when his family moved to Calgary, where he grew up playing the game and embraced his family’s leadership in the community.
“I’m excited to join Calgary Wild FC. Soccer in Calgary has been a huge part of my family’s life. This is a great opportunity to celebrate the sport that has brought us together and to contribute to a community that shares my passion for the game,” said Adekugbe.
Adekugbe represented Canada at the FIFA World Cup Qatar in 2022. He was a Concacaf champion later that year. Soccer has taken him around the world, playing with clubs in England, Canada, Sweden, Norway and Turkey.
“Charlie and Sam are generous community leaders, who not only care about the city they are from, but understand the importance of role models, and that shows both in the way they play on the pitch, but also through their work in the community off the pitch,” said Deanna Zumwalt, founder and chair of Calgary Wild FC.
“They both exemplify what this growing ownership group is setting out to achieve. This model is not about one deep-pocketed owner, but a group of community leaders contributing what they can to make our community stronger by giving young women the opportunity to soar as leaders on and off the pitch. They all have a shared passion for sport, and all believe the Calgary Wild FC is a game-changer for creating opportunities for women in sport and business.”
In October 2024, NHL defenceman Josh Morrissey and his wife Margot, who both have Calgary roots, expressed their commitment to being an active part of the journey for Calgary Wild FC, also providing a financial boost to the club as one of the organization’s founding investors.
Calgary Wild FC kicks off the season April 16 against the Vancouver Rise at BC Place Stadium. Calgary’s home opener is set for May 11 at McMahon Stadium against Ottawa Rapid FC.
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