Bedford’s task will not be an easy one.
She must build a squad of up to 25 players from around the world who are ready to compete in four months’ time. Only nine have been recruited so far.
Local trio Sarah Keilty-Dilling, Grace Stordy, and Caleigh Boeckx have signed, alongside New Zealand’s three-time Olympian Meikayla Moore – one of seven foreign players allowed on the team, as per league rules.
Multi-year partnerships with broadcasters CBC and TSN to show live coverage of the NSL have already been agreed, and league sponsors and logos are in place.
There is a salary cap of $1.6m (£1.29m) in the NSL, with a minimum salary of $50,000 (£40,247).
That differs to the WSL in England, which has a soft salary cap, allowing clubs to spend up to 40% of their revenue on player wages.
“Everybody can be on the same page and have the same financial cap,” said Bedford. “In the WSL, when I worked at Leicester the amount of money we budgeted off was different to the top of the league. Here, it will all be the same.
“It gives you a really good chance as a coach to actually develop players well – so I’m looking forward to that.”
Bedford was the final head coach to be named, leaving her role as Brentford men’s under-18s manager.
At the end of the season, Bedford hopes Calgary will be one of the top four clubs to qualify for the NSL play-offs, aiming to compete for the title.
“I knew the league was starting here and I didn’t necessarily think I would be involved in it but I jumped at the opportunity,” said Bedford.
“I thought, if I’m going to live somewhere else, it may as well be in an unbelievable country with nature and the outdoors. This place will be great.
“With all things, you get the initial excitement, then you think about the reality of needing to rent your house out, moving away from family and the time zones.
“But it’s mainly excitement. Life is too short to worry about what happens tomorrow. I see this as a great opportunity to develop myself as a coach.”
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