VANCOUVER, BC (August 13, 2026) – Vancouver Rise FC announced on Thursday that the club has signed defender and local Burnaby, BC product Kaela Hansen. 

“Kaela is a homegrown academy player that we are thrilled to bring back to Vancouver,” said Rise FC Sporting Director Stephanie Labbé. “Kaela brings a gritty fierceness to her play, along with her composure and vision on the ball.  I am thrilled to have Kaela on our side, fighting for our badge and representing her home city.” 

The 26-year-old returns home to join Rise FC after playing for fellow Northern Super League (NSL) team AFC Toronto. The defender made 24 appearances and registered one goal across her season and a half at the Ontario side, playing an important part of the team’s NSL Shield and run to the NSL Final in 2025.  

Prior to joining AFC Toronto, Hansen spent two years abroad in Europe, playing for Serbian side ŽFK Spartak Subotica and Finnish club KuPs. At ŽFK Spartak Subotica in 2023, Hansen won both the Serbian Women's Super League and the League Cup, making 19 appearances and scoring her first professional goal. The following year in 2024, the defender made 21 appearances for KuPs and helped her side finish second in the league, qualifying the club for the 2025-26 UEFA Women’s Europa Cup’s first qualifying round. Hansen also competed in the UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification phases with both clubs.   

“Starting this next chapter back home in Vancouver feels incredibly special,” said Hansen on her signing. “I’m really looking forward to meeting my new teammates, working with the entire Vancouver Rise staff, and getting out on the field. Having the opportunity to represent my hometown means so much to me, and I can’t wait to play in front of the Vancouver fans and make them proud.” 

Hansen joins fellow Vancouver Rise FC Academy (then Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy) graduates Mia Pante, Jaime Perrault, and Ariel Young on the first team roster. As one of Vancouver’s brightest defensive prospects, Hansen committed herself to the University of Kansas after finishing her youth career. She would go on to become a staple of the program, setting records as the all-time leader in games and minutes played. Her accolades include Defensive MVP honours, and helping Kansas win the Big 12 Tournament and reach the NCAA Sweet 16.  

Prior to turning professional, Hansen also spent time playing with local club TSS Rovers FC.  

At the international level, Hansen was most recently called into training camp for the Philippines senior national team in February of last year. In her youth, the defender represented Canada at both the U17 and U20 levels, and competed at the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.  

Kaela Hansen 

Pronunciation: KAY-luh HAN-sen 
Position: Defender 
Height: 5-07  
Date of Birth: April 13, 2000 in Vancouver, BC 
Hometown: Burnaby, BC 
Citizenship: Canadian / Philippines  
Status: Domestic  
Previous Clubs: AFC Toronto (CAN), KuPs (FIN),  ŽFK Spartak Subotica (SRB)