Lydia Bedford Named First Head Coach of Calgary Wild FC

The former Premier League trailblazer joins Calgary's new pro women's soccer team ahead of Northern Super League's inaugural season.

Lydia Bedford, the first woman to coach within the English Premier League system, has been appointed head coach of Calgary Wild FC.
Calgary Wild FC is one of six teams in the Northern Super League, Canada’s first professional women’s soccer league, set to launch in April 2025.
Bedford brings experience from coaching Brentford's U18 men's team and managing Leicester City Women, where she helped avoid relegation in 2022.
The Wild have signed nine players, including Afghan-Canadian Farkhunda Muhtaj and New Zealand Olympian Meikayla Moore, with Bedford’s appointment expected to accelerate roster development.
The team will play at Calgary's McMahon Stadium, which will feature new FIFA-approved turf for the upcoming season.