Elite men's soccer returning to Sudbury

The owners of the Sudbury Wolves, Five and Spartans are adding soccer to their roster of sports with a new team called the Cyclones.

"SWSE is proud to bring back soccer to Northern Ontario, after acquiring the license to operate a men’s pro-amateur soccer team within the League1 Ontario pyramid for the 2024 season," Sudbury Wolves Sports and Entertainment said in a news release Wednesday.

"After four decades the Sudbury Cyclones have re-emerged, filling a void in the soccer landscape of northern Ontario."

Soccer is one of the fastest-growing sports on the continent, owner and CEO Dario Zulich is quoted as saying in the news release.

"Together with the community, we're not just bringing back a team, we're reigniting a spirit and laying the groundwork for a vibrant, soccer-loving culture. The Cyclones will carry the pride and passion of a rich history, but will also inspire new generations to play, cheer, and dream the beautiful sport," Zulich said.

Dayna Corelli has been named the team's general manager and Connor Vande Weghe the sporting director for the team.

Both played soccer for Laurentian University.

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"Dayna Corelli has a wealth of knowledge, administrative experience, and technical experience, as project manager professional (PMP) and professor at Cambrian College. Corelli played soccer for Team Ontario in 2005 and 2006, representing Sudbury and bringing home a national gold medal from the Rocky Mountain Cup," SWSE said.

"While playing varsity soccer at Laurentian University, Corelli was selected for Ontario Soccer’s female mentorship program, as well as completing high-performance coaching certifications through Canada Soccer."

Corelli is quoted in the release saying the announcement is a watershed moment for soccer in both the city and region.

"Just a few years ago, the idea of an elite soccer team in Sudbury felt like a distant dream," she said.

Vande Weghe has experience working in the front office for the Major League Soccer team the Vancouver Whitecaps and played goalkeeper for the Voyageurs soccer team and Thunder Bay Chill.

"A two-time OUA all-star during his time at Laurentian, Vande Weghe currently holds his Canada Soccer C-level coaching license as well as his goalkeeper coach certificate from Ontario Soccer," SWSE said.

"Vande Weghe will be overseeing the sporting side of the organization’s soccer operations."

The return of pro-amateur soccer is a much-needed addition to the community, the new sporting director said.

"As a long-time member of the Sudbury soccer community, I am extremely excited to be a part in the revival of the Sudbury Cyclones and showcase the strong and thriving soccer community that exists here in Sudbury and in northern Ontario," Vande Weghe is quoted as saying in the news release.

League1 Ontario is expanding to three tiers next season and each year, the league champions will move up to the next division the following year.

"The Cyclones will join the new men’s third tier, League2, below the men’s championship (second tier) and men’s premier (top tier). The men’s premier winners will achieve a spot to compete in the Canadian Championship alongside professional teams currently playing in the Canadian Premier League and Major League Soccer."