Victoria Highlanders FC owner Alex Campbell Jr. made it clear Wednesday there would not have been a second season in the

W-League, now the highest level of women’s soccer in North America, without new team sponsorship.

So the Highlanders will be called Peninsula Co-op Women’s Soccer and sport the company’s red and white colours, although still being operated by the Highlanders FC organization for the 2013 W-League season.

“Girl [players] have dreams, too. This is the last [league] step before making the national team and is a critical part of the progression,” said Campbell, noting all 20 players on Canada’s team and 15 of the U.S. players for the 2012 London Olympics are W-League alumnae.

“But it’s expensive to fly to Colorado and California and we get no breaks from the airlines. Due to the high cost, there would have been no Highlanders team in the W-League this year [without the new Peninsula Co-op sponsorship].”

Asked about the value of the sponsorship, Campbell said: “It’s a multi-year deal but I can’t give you a dollar figure.”

Peninsula Co-op opens the season with two home dates at Royal Athletic Park — May 13 against the Vancouver Whitecaps and May 16 against the Colorado Rush.

“There was uncertainty about our future and it’s a huge relief that there will be an Island team in the W-League,” said Peninsula Co-op midfielder and former UVic Vikes star Mariel Solsberg.

The team, playing as the Highlanders, averaged only about 200 fans per game last season at Bear Mountain Stadium in Langford and Campbell said his goal for this season is 1,000.

“I can’t understand why fans are so interested in the national team yet ignore local players who aspire to get there,” said Campbell, noting the attention lavished on the recent CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament held at B.C. Place.

The Peninsula Co-op players are excellent role models for young female soccer players on the Island, Campbell noted, and said all fans 12-and-under will be allowed into the games free. He also said there will be a huge push to sell out the season opener against the Whitecaps.

“We’re hoping the profile the Olympic qualifier gave to women’s soccer, and the lead-up to London, will help us promote the women’s game and show the potential we have on the Island,” said Solsberg.

Peninsula Co-op will play 14 games in the eight-team Western Conference, seven at home and seven away. The W-League regular season runs May 13 to July 15 with 11 of the 30 teams advancing to the post-season, which concludes with the championship game July 29 in Ottawa.ꆱ