Date: Friday, January 10, 2025
KATIE COLLAR AND ERIN MCNULTY JOIN VANCOUVER RISE FC COACHING STAFF
Soccer operations staff grows ahead of inaugural season
VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Rise FC announced on Friday the addition of Katie Collar as assistant coach and Erin McNulty as goalkeeper coach, working alongside head coach Anja Heiner-Møller.
Katie Collar
Collar makes the move to the professional ranks as Rise FC assistant coach after a stellar three years as head coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite program. During her tenure since 2022, the ‘Caps won the League1 BC title in three straight seasons, as well as two straight League1 Canada Inter-Provincial Championships, and the 2023 FIFA/Blue Stars Youth Cup. This past year, the native of Calgary, Alberta steered the teenage-laden squad into the inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup against some of the best professional teams in the region, earning victories over Alianza FC in El Salvador and Santa Fe FC in Panama.
“With the start of a women’s professional team in Vancouver, every young athlete in our community can see the opportunity to be braver and bolder with their dreams, and every professional working in women’s sport can see a new path forward for our future,” said Collar. “One of Vancouver’s strengths is rooted in the belief in its own, which is why I can’t wait to continue our legacy in the inaugural season with Vancouver Rise FC.”
A Canada Soccer National A License coach, Collar recently served on the interim coaching staff for Canada’s women’s national team, and has previously worked with Canada’s youth national team programs.
Erin McNulty
McNulty makes the move to Rise FC as goalkeeper coach after five years with the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite program. A UEFA A License coach, McNulty has been a part of each trophy for the ‘Caps Girls Elite program, while also spending time working with Canada Soccer’s national team programs.
"I’m really excited for the opportunity to join Vancouver Rise FC for the inaugural season of the NSL and to contribute to the growth of the game here in Vancouver,” said McNulty. “Becoming a goalkeeper coach at the professional level in Canada is something I never imagined for myself when I finished playing. To see the amazing opportunities the NSL, and especially the Rise, are providing not only for players but also for those of us wanting to grow careers within the game has been really cool to see."
During her playing career, McNulty was a part of Canada’s U-20 and senior women’s national teams, and played professionally in Norway and for the Vancouver Whitecaps in the USL W-League.
Soccer Operations team
Under sporting director Stephanie Labbé, the duo joins a growing soccer operations staff for Vancouver Rise FC ahead of the inaugural 2025 season in the Northern Super League (NSL).
Julia Spetsmark has joined Rise FC as head of player care. A former midfielder for the Sweden women’s national team, Spetsmark played for a decade professionally across Europe. After more than 150 appearances in her native Sweden, she also played for clubs such as Manchester City, Benfica, and North Carolina Courage.
Gurveen Clair has joined Rise FC as manager of football operations & administration. Previously, Clair worked as coordinator of first team operations & administration for Vancouver Whitecaps FC in MLS. During her playing career, the former goalkeeper was part of Canada’s senior women’s national team program, while also playing for Vancouver Whitecaps in the USL W-League.
Patrick Cormier joins Rise FC as head of physical performance. Previously, Cormier was working as a sports scientist for Canada’s men’s national team and in research and innovation for Canada’s women’s national team, all while serving as a physical preparation coach at the Canadian Sports Institute.
For more information contact:
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Communications
communications@whitecapsfc.com
Nathan Vanstone
Vice President, Broadcast & Communications
778.228.7177
Brandon Timko
Director, Communications
604.355.1245
Jessica Gauci
Manager, Corporate Communications
416.801.7735
Sebastian Pereira Pabon
Coordinator, Communications
604.440.5742