Our Vision
As Atlantic Canada's first professional women’s soccer club, we will inspire future generations, empower people to dream big and unlock the limitless potential of women’s soccer.
We are creating an environment locally, where every player can flourish, every fan can find belonging and every individual can realize their full potential. By leading with authenticity and warmth, creating moments of joy through unforgettable experiences and cultivating strong relationships, we will be a thriving professional soccer club that demands global & national attention
— Courtney Sherlock
The Club
Courtney Sherlock – CEO
Dr. Courtney Sherlock, Co-founder and CEO of Atlantic Women’s FC, grew up in Fall River, Nova Scotia and has worked in the HRM as a veterinarian since 2006. She now has ownership in six veterinary hospitals, real estate and several other business investments. She is proud to have been selected as one of Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 CEOs for 2022.
She was introduced to soccer through her children who have grown up playing the sport. When the opportunity to become involved with the NSL was presented, the idea of doing a start-up company in a different field than veterinary medicine was very exciting and is a great opportunity. A professional women’s soccer league is long overdue in Canada and Courtney is very proud to be an owner in one of the founding teams and looks forward to ball drop in early 2025.
She now lives in Cow Bay with her husband Adam, three children and a variety of dogs, cats and chickens.
Val Malone - President
Val Malone, President of the Halifax Tides FC is a seasoned executive known for her transformative leadership and strategic acumen across diverse industries. She has recently moved back home to Halifax after a 23 year stint in Toronto and has quickly immersed herself back into the world of sports in HRM. She volunteers alongside her husband for her kids' sports teams and thrives working in our community.
Val developed a passion for sports marketing, sponsorship, and activation while cultivating partnerships with renowned properties including the Toronto Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, and the Toronto Blue Jays. In addition to her strong background in sports marketing, she specializes in crafting data-driven strategies that foster growth and operational efficiency. Her expertise spans commercialization, comprehensive go-to-market strategies, and optimizing business operations, supported by a strong foundation in marketing and communications.
She has exemplified her dedication to community impact through her role as a co-founder of the M+M Girls Movement, a youth leadership program for adolescent girls, and her volunteer work in the various communities across both Nova Scotia and Ontario.
Val also holds certifications in professional coaching! She has a passion for empowering teams to achieve shared visions and impactful results. She continues to drive innovation and sustainability across her endeavors, advocating for women’s leadership in business and environmental conservation.
Amit Batra - Sporting Director
A proud resident of the community of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Amit Batra joins Halifax Tides FC as Sporting Director. Armed with a Bachelor of Commerce from Dalhousie University and a CSA ‘B’ License, Amit brings a unique blend of strategic vision and extensive coaching experience to the club.
His influence spans across grassroots development, with impactful contributions to Soccer Nova Scotia, Scotia Soccer Club (now Suburban FC), where he achieved notable regional and provincial successes. His tenure also includes roles as Head Coach at Mount Saint Vincent University and Co-Technical Director at Dartmouth United Soccer Club (now United DFC), where he cultivated talent and mentored aspiring coaches in his community.
Amit has been the driving force behind the growth & success of Acadia University’s Women’s Soccer Program. Since joining in 2010, Amit landed the program six AUS Championship game appearances, and claimed the 2021 AUS Championship. In his time leading the team they saw an impressive overall record of 71 wins, 16 losses, and 24 draws. He showed his empowerment and development skills through the accolades his players earned with one AUS MVP, one AUS Rookie of the Year, and three AUS Student-Athlete Community Service Awards. On the national level, his athletes enjoyed 11 USPORTS All-Canadian Awards, three All-Rookie team players, one USPORTS Student-Athlete Community Service Award and three overall USPORTS Championships appearances. His leadership extends beyond the pitch, where he served as Director of Student Recruitment for the university as well, where he excelled in fostering growth and innovation.
Amit aims to cultivate a dynamic program at the Tides, fostering a local culture of excellence to elevate on-field performances and inspire the next generation of female players, coaches, and sports executives. While he’s not busy building a professional women’s soccer club, you can find Amit coordinating his son’s busy sports and extracurricular schedule, including soccer and paddling.
Marilyn Burke - Marketing Manager
Cape Breton born and raised, our very own New Waterford girl, Marilyn Burke, joins our team as Marketing Manager. Having grown up competitive and passionate about sport, Marilyn brings a wealth of experience when it comes to communication, creativity, and community.
With a background in Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU), Marilyn has honed her skills in digital marketing and brand strategy. During her time at Trailer Park Boys Inc., she assisted in legacy building and maintaining international brand narratives, while engaging audiences across social media platforms - showcasing her talent for content creation, execution and strategic thinking.
Beyond her professional achievements, Marilyn played and captained the MSVU soccer team. During her time she made five appearances at Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association championships, earning two gold medals which led the team to nationals - playing at Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association, where she accepted the Exemplary Leadership Award on behalf of her team.
At Halifax Tides FC, Marilyn Burke aspires to help celebrate the strength and resilience of women in sports, creating waves of positivity that extend far beyond the field.
Ally Pedvis - Business Development Manager
With a passion for sports and community, Ally blends a background in sport-related studies from the University of Ottawa with several years of successful sponsorship sales experience. Known for her strong communication skills and a commitment to giving back, she prides herself on her volunteer work with local organizations, living the values that guide impactful business practices.
As the Business Development Manager, Ally plays a pivotal role in identifying and nurturing sponsorship opportunities that align with the club’s mission, championing inclusiveness in sports, particularly for women. She is dedicated to making a difference both on and off the pitch, and will make it her priority that every sponsorship that the Tides engage with, supports a movement that resonates for our club, our partners and our community.
She excels in fostering strong, mutually beneficial relationships, prioritizing client needs and objectives to enhance brand visibility and community impact. She believes in creating partnerships that go beyond transactional agreements, focusing on long-term collaboration and shared values.
When she’s not building a club from the ground up with sponsors & partners, she enjoys exploring Halifax’s bustling food scene, always on the hunt for the city’s best lobster roll. You can often find her winding down by watching our beautiful Haligonian sunsets over the Harbour.