For the players on VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 W-League soccer team, swapping names from Highlanders to the Peninsula Co-op WomenB次元官网网址檚 team is as easy as slipping into a brand new jersey.

After all, it was one year ago the Highlanders FC team debuted in the W-League.

But when a team travels for 15 road games from Vancouver to Los Angeles, the associated costs can add up. So starting in 2012, both the womenB次元官网网址檚 W-League and under-20 squads formerly known as the Highlanders will now share the name Peninsula Co-op WomenB次元官网网址檚 Soccer.

B次元官网网址淚f not for Peninsula Co-op, we couldnB次元官网网址檛 afford the costs associated with a W-League team,B次元官网网址� said Highlanders part-owner Alex Campbell.

B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 understand why people go crazy for the national womenB次元官网网址檚 team but donB次元官网网址檛 support the W-League, which is the last stop for players before they go on to the national level.B次元官网网址�

The HighlandersB次元官网网址� founder was candid, for the most part, during the unveiling of Peninsula Co-opB次元官网网址檚 sponsorship at the Sticky Wicket last week.

B次元官网网址淭his womenB次元官网网址檚 team only averaged about 200 fans per home game last year, though IB次元官网网址檓 positive it can average 1,000 at Royal Athletic Park in 2012,B次元官网网址� Campbell said.

Exactly how much the team cost to run, Campbell wouldnB次元官网网址檛 divulge, though he is quick to explain the HighlandersB次元官网网址� organization.

With menB次元官网网址檚 and womenB次元官网网址檚 teams in the United Soccer League system, the clubs are not in business to make a profit. Rather, the goal is to bring the highest level of soccer to Victoria.

To help make that happen, the womenB次元官网网址檚 team will swap jersey colours from black and gold to red and white. The front of the jersey now bears the same branding as Peninsula Co-opB次元官网网址檚 retail stores.

With 13 gas stations across Greater Victoria, the brand is a familiar one. This isnB次元官网网址檛 the first time a sports teams in Victoria was named for a gas station sponsor. From 1982 to 1994, the Victoria Shamrocks played as Victoria Payless, named for Payless Gas, winning the Mann Cup in 1983.

Bringing on a B次元官网网址減resenting partnerB次元官网网址� is the latest boost of community support for the Highlanders, whoB次元官网网址檙e also selling ownership shares with each season ticket, entitling holders to a vote in the teamB次元官网网址檚 decision making. The HighlandersB次元官网网址� unique ownership structure makes its debut this season. The goal is for 30 per cent ownership through annual season ticket sales, and 30 per cent from local soccer organizations. Lakehill, Gorge and Prospect Lake have agreed in principle with the idea.

This year, both the menB次元官网网址檚 and womenB次元官网网址檚 teams will play out of Royal Athletic Park. Peninsula Co-op WomenB次元官网网址檚 Soccer open the season on May 13 while the Highlanders menB次元官网网址檚 team starts May 23 at RAP.