OWIFA was built by players and coaches to give women’s football a home in Ontario. Today, that vision is at risk. The league is losing transparency, volunteers are carrying the weight, and conflicts of interest in leadership are silencing the voices that matter most - the players and teams

OWIFA was created by student athletes who wanted women’s football to have a true home in Ontario. Today it represents more than 500 athletes and over a dozen universities and colleges, with two thriving seasons: 5-on-5 in the fall and 11-on-11 in the winter. It has grown because of the passion of volunteers who give their time and energy for the love of the game.

But lately, that spirit has been fading. Communication has become inconsistent, social media engagement is nearly silent, and decisions that shape the future of this league are happening without the input of the very players and coaches who built it. Volunteers are being forced to pick up the slack just to keep the league functioning, while the board provides less and less openness and accountability.

Even more concerning, conflicts of interest in leadership have gone unaddressed. Board members are making choices that undermine the success of the league while silencing the voices of players and coaches. OWIFA was meant to carve out a space for women in football and to foster growth and community in intercollegiate women’s athletics. Since incorporation last year, however, the league has started to fall into the same traps that ruin so many organizations, prioritizing the interests of a few at the expense of its members.

We love this game, and we love this league. But without transparency, openness, and true collaboration, OWIFA risks losing the trust of its own community. Players and coaches already seek opportunities to play elsewhere, and more will leave if things do not change.

We are raising our voices because we believe in OWIFA’s future. We believe in a league that reflects the values it was founded on: equality, community, and collaboration. That is what will keep this league strong, and that is what will grow the sport for years to come.