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Vancouver Rise FC has parted ways with its first hire, sporting director Steph Labbé.
The Northern Super League (NSL) club announced the news on Friday, saying the move was a “strategic shift in the club’s investment of resources”.
“As part of our planning for 2027, we have taken the difficult decision to remove the position of sporting director and as a result Steph has ended his time at the club,” interim president Aditi Bhatt said.
In an online post, Labbé wrote: “While I don’t envision my time at Vancouver Rise FC coming to an end, it’s clear with the club’s new direction, it’s time for me to look forward.
“It’s an incredible privilege to help build the club, contribute to the development of women’s professional soccer in Canada and build a team that makes history as the first NSL champions,” she said.
The Rise captured the NSL championship title for the first time last season and with a record of 8 wins, 11 losses and 4 draws are fighting to secure the league’s final playoff spot this season.
Labbé, a former goalkeeper, became an Olympic hero at Tokyo 2020, stopping two penalties in the gold medal game against Sweden to secure Canada’s first Olympic soccer title. He also won bronze with the team at Rio 2016 and appeared in three World Cups.
She retired from playing in 2022 and was hired as general manager of Vancouver Whitecaps women’s soccer that same year and helped launch the NSL last year.
Labbe’s departure from Ascension is the second significant change in recent weeks. Head coach Anya Hayner-Möller was sacked last month and replaced by assistant Iain Darbyshire.
According to a Rise press release, chief football officer Robin Gale will continue to lead the club’s sporting department.