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Simcoe County Rovers are set to make their debut at the League1 Canada Women’s Inter-Provincial Championship as the newly-crowned League1 Ontario champions.

Simcoe County Rovers FC are set to make their debut at the League1 Canada Women’s Inter-Provincial Championship as the newly-crowned League1 Ontario champions.

It’s the first time the Barrie-based club has reached this stage, and the squad is arriving with a focused, unified group built around belief and identity.

OneSoccer’s Mackenzie Barwell caught up with Head Coach Zach Wilson this week about the team’s journey, reflecting on growth throughout the season, the character of the squad and what this national opportunity means for his players.

Here’s what he had to say as the Rovers prepare to face Altitude FC, the League1 BC champion, in the tournament’s first semifinal. Kickoff is set for Friday, Aug. 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. MT.

On earning the League1 Ontario title and believing in the group:

With the championship on the line and rising pressure from all sides, Wilson’s message to the team as the League1 Ontario title race went down to the final day last weekend was simple: stay composed and trust the process.

“The noise gets a little bit louder, people start asking questions. So it was really about making sure we stayed composed going into that game. I was confident in the group. I believed in them all year long, and nothing changed.”

On chemistry, identity and competing with purpose:

The Rovers came into the season as a new group, built from players who had competed against, not with, each other. That dynamic became a strength, said Wilson.

“Not a lot of them played together, a lot of them played against each other. So it was really about trying to gel as fast as possible. April hits and all of a sudden you’re into it.

On the meaning of this opportunity and the people behind the players:

Wilson knows how rare a moment like this is, especially for players juggling careers, studies and ambitions beyond the pitch.

“It’s an opportunity to enjoy something that not a lot of people get to, and I think that’s the most important thing. You’re obviously going to feel pressure, you’re going to feel these nerves, it’s just a general thing that happens.

“But it’s such a cool opportunity for them to be able to show themselves, show why they’re playing at that tournament, show why they are these players, show why they are special and go out and just give it everything you have and have no regrets. And be brave.

“It’s kind of cool that we have some [players] that work full-time. They’re nurses, they’re police officers, and some want to [go off and] play football professionally. And now, here’s your canvas and it’s time to dance.”

On trusting every player to step up:

“I love them all, and trust all of them. Any of them can make a difference on any given day, and they’ll trust each other on that day.”

On enjoying the moment:

“You have to have fun when you’re playing football. And when you’re having fun, that’s when you play your best football.”

The final word:

“Expectations are, ‘Let’s just go and compete.’ This group is strong mentally. They’re going to be ready for the game. They’re going to be ready to compete. They’re going to leave it all out there. From kickoff to the 90th minute. We’re going to want to play within our identity and who we are.”

Tickets to the 2025 League1 Canada Women’s Inter-Provincial Championship can be purchased at Emerald Hills Stadium in Sherwood Park, Alta. on Friday, Aug. 8 and Sunday, Aug. 10 for $15.

All four matches will air live on OneSoccer. Friday’s semifinals will be available on OneSoccer’s main channel, as well as on FuboTV and TELUS Optik TV (channel 980) in Western Canada.

Sunday’s matches will stream on OneSoccer’s secondary channel and can be viewed via onesoccer.ca or the OneSoccer app on iOS or Android.

Fans of the League1 Canada Women’s Inter-Provincial who are new to OneSoccer can subscribe at a discounted rate of just $4.99 for the first month (regular price 14.99) by using promo code Inter2025 at watch.onesoccer.ca. To sign up, click Subscribe in the top right corner of the homepage. Then click Register to create your account. Choose the Monthly Pass, enter your payment information along with the promo code Inter2025, and click Pay to Subscribe.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.