The Pitch Opens Changemakers Week in Toronto
New TVO Original documentary “THE PITCH” tells the untold story behind Canada’s First Pro Women’s Soccer League
As we count down to the 2025 SponsorshipX Changemakers Summit, we’re thrilled to announce an exceptional experience for our delegates. On November 12, full-summit pass holders will gather at Toronto’s Hot Docs Cinema for an exclusive prescreening of THE PITCH, a feature documentary capturing the creation of Canada’s first professional women’s soccer league.
The Story Behind THE PITCH
When Olympic soccer star Diana Matheson retired, she set out with her teammates to build something that had never existed: a professional women’s soccer league in Canada. THE PITCH, directed by Emmy-nominated and Canadian Screen Award-winning filmmaker Michèle Hozer, takes viewers inside that journey, from locker rooms to boardrooms, following Matheson and her allies as they confront resistance, break barriers, and build what would become the Northern Super League (NSL).
Filmed over two years, the documentary offers unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the people, negotiations, and moments that shaped the birth of the NSL. What begins as a story about building a league becomes a movement about perseverance, equality, and leadership.
“I came to understand that this league is a response to everything these women were denied,” says Hozer. “This is more than a sports story. It’s about the people building the future of women’s soccer in Canada.”
The Power Behind the Project
THE PITCH is a TVO Original documentary, presented by TVO Media Education Group and produced in association with The Canada Media Fund, Ontario Creates, Rogers Documentary Fund, and the Government of Canada.
Nathalie Cook executive-produced the film, which Bryn Hughes and Michèle Hozer also produced. Hozer also directed and edited it.
National Partners and Tour Sponsors
The film’s national screening tour is presented by Canadian Tire Corporation, with support from:
• Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities – Community Partner
• Canadian Women & Sport – Impact Partner
• Toyota Canada – Mobility Partner
• Coca-Cola – Celebration Partner
These partners have been instrumental in amplifying the film’s reach and celebrating the movement it represents.
A Night to Remember for Changemakers
The Toronto screening of THE PITCH will serve as the official opening experience for the SponsorshipX Changemakers Summit. Attendees will watch this inspiring story together before launching into three days of working sessions, collaborations, and conversations about partnership, purpose, and progress.
Who Can Attend
This special offer allows delegates with full-summit passes to access the screening at Hot Docs Cinema.
Note: Seating is limited and available while tickets last.
Date: November 12, 2025
Venue: Hot Docs Cinema, Toronto
Access: Exclusive to full-summit pass holders (first-come, first-served)
Join us for this unforgettable opening night as we celebrate courage, innovation, and the spirit of changemaking through the lens of Canadian sport.