Building Stronger Communities Through Leadership and Sport:
A Conversation with Wayne McNeil and Darren Stewart
Wayne McNeil and Darren Stewart may come from different professional worlds—Wayne, an entrepreneur dedicated to social change, and Darren, a corporate leader navigating the complexities of healthcare—but they are united by one common passion: leadership that extends far beyond their day-to-day roles. Their work with Calgary Wild and the broader movement to elevate women’s soccer in Canada exemplifies how true leadership can shape communities and create lasting opportunities for generations to come.
“The Wild is more than a team—it’s a movement. A movement that allows young female athletes to stay in Canada and realize their dreams of playing professional soccer.”
– Wayne McNeil, Co-Founder of Respect Group and a TEC Canada Member in Calgary, AB
The Calgary Wild FC undergo fitness testing at the Macron Performance Centre in Calgary
Why Calgary Wild is Changing the Game
For decades, young Canadian women with dreams of playing professional soccer had to leave their home country to compete at the highest level. That was until the creation of the Northern Super League (NSL)—Canada’s first professional women’s soccer league. The founding of Calgary Wild, one of the league’s inaugural teams, changes the landscape for female athletes across Canada.
Wayne McNeil: “The Wild is more than a team—it’s a movement. A movement that allows young female athletes to stay in Canada and realize their dreams of playing professional soccer.”
Darren Stewart: “My role is focused on building the pipeline—ensuring young athletes have the infrastructure and support they need to make it to the pro level. The NSL isn’t just a league; it’s a turning point for female athletes in Canada.”
The impact of Calgary Wild extends beyond the pitch. The principles driving its success—vision, collaboration, and sustainability—reflect the heart of effective leadership. Building something from the ground up takes more than strategy; it requires a deep commitment to developing people, fostering community, and creating opportunities that last far beyond a single season.
Leadership as a Force for Growth
Both Wayne and Darren believe leadership goes beyond just managing people or making business decisions. At its core, leadership is about creating meaningful, lasting change that extends to communities, industries, and future generations.
Darren Stewart: “Leadership is about more than delivering business results. It’s about contributing to something bigger than yourself. Whether in healthcare, sports, or business, it’s about leaving a lasting impact.”
Wayne McNeil: “Respect Group was founded with the belief that education creates safer environments. The same philosophy applies to Calgary Wild—when you invest in people, whether it’s in sports or business, you lay the foundation for long-term success.”
Much like athletes rely on coaches to unlock their full potential, leaders too need their own support systems. For Wayne and Darren, that network is TEC Canada. Being part of a peer group gives them the space to exchange ideas, refine strategies, and grow alongside other leaders who offer fresh perspectives.
The Power of Peer Support in Leadership
The Calgary Wild FC and the Canadian Sport Institute Alberta (CSIAB) announce a strategic partnership.
Both Wayne and Darren credit their TEC Canada membership for sharpening their leadership approaches. The peer advisory network provides them with invaluable insights, helping them tackle challenges from different angles and elevate their decision-making.
Wayne McNeil: “TEC has reinforced that leadership doesn’t have to be a solitary journey. Having a trusted group of peers to challenge my thinking and provide support has been critical in my own growth.”
Darren Stewart: “As a leader, it can often feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world alone. TEC gives me access to insights from leaders in other industries, which broadens my perspective and makes me a better decision-maker.”
A Call to Action: Supporting the Future of Women’s Soccer
The launch of the NSL is a landmark moment for Canadian sports, and Calgary Wild is leading the charge. But this isn’t just about building a team; it’s about creating a sustainable future for women’s sports in Canada—a future where young women no longer have to choose between their careers and staying in their home country.
Wayne McNeil: “We’re at the beginning of something transformative. Investing in women’s sports isn’t just about the game—it’s about creating equity, opportunity, and long-term progress for everyone involved.”
Darren Stewart: “The NSL gives young athletes a reason to stay in Canada, offering them the chance to build careers at home. It’s about providing opportunities for growth, and inspiring the next generation of women to aim higher.”
Just like business leadership, growing women’s professional soccer in Canada requires visionaries who are willing to invest in the future. It takes strategic thinkers, passionate advocates, and leaders who understand that this movement is much bigger than the game itself.
As the inaugural season of Calgary Wild draws near, Wayne and Darren are calling on business leaders, fans, and community members to support this movement. This is more than just a team; it’s an opportunity to shape the future of sports in Canada.
Leadership, as we know it, goes far beyond the boardroom. It’s about creating lasting change that echoes across industries and empowers the leaders of tomorrow.
“My role is focused on building the pipeline—ensuring young athletes have the infrastructure and support they need to make it to the pro level. The NSL isn’t just a league; it’s a turning point for female athletes in Canada.”
– Darren Stewart, CEO of Total Cardiology and a TEC Canada Member in Calgary, AB
About
Wayne McNeil — Is an accomplished entrepreneur and TEC Canada member since 2012, who co-founded Respect Group, a company dedicated to preventing bullying, harassment, and discrimination in sports. Originally from Toronto, Wayne moved to Calgary in 1988 and built his career in the emerging computer software industry. His entrepreneurial path took a major turn when he partnered with Sheldon Kennedy to launch The Respect Group in 2004, focusing on addressing critical social issues through education. Under Wayne’s leadership, the company introduced Respect in Sport, a groundbreaking program for all Canadian sports that set a national precedent.
Darren Stewart — A TEC Canada member since 2024—is an executive with a diverse background in finance, leadership, and healthcare. Born in Nova Scotia, Darren began his career at Deloitte, earning his chartered accountant designation before moving into leadership roles at Sobeys and other industries, including oil and gas services and real estate. Since 2011, Darren has focused on healthcare, with significant leadership experience at Mayfair Diagnostics and as the CEO of Total Cardiology, demonstrating his adaptability and leadership across various sectors.
Calgary Wild FC — A new era of women’s soccer is unfolding in Calgary with Calgary Wild FC, one of the founding teams in Canada’s first professional women’s soccer league. True to their name, Calgary Wild FC is ready to compete at the highest level. On the pitch, as in nature, success belongs to the strongest—physically, mentally, as individuals, and as a team. Stay tuned as they make history.
