The Halifax Wanderers have named Mo Omar and Ryan James assistant captains for the 2023 CPL season in support of returning team captain Andre Rampersad.

“Our leaders exemplify three things: courage, caring and consistency every day they are on the pitch,” head coach Patrice Gheisar said.

Rampersad enters his fourth season as the Wanderers team captain after taking the armband full-time ahead of the 2020 season.

“Rampy has shown compassion and consistency to this city and all the young players around him. He’s an incredible captain and invaluable for us.”

“We have a family culture that we try to keep going this year,” Rampersad said. “(since 2020) I think I’ve grown as a leader on the pitch.”

Omar enters his second season with the Wanderers and first as an alternate captain. The 24-year-old was previously a team captain at the University of Notre Dame.

“Mo wants more from himself and the team this year, and he brings a different kind of leadership from Rampy that is incredibly valuable,” Gheisar said.

“He’s just a natural leader,” Rampersad said. “He showed last year you don’t have to be a captain to be a leader, and he has earned this.”

James is the most experienced professional player on the Wanderers, with nearly 200 appearances to his name.

“We’re grateful to have Ryan on the pitch and off the pitch,” Gheisar said. “Most importantly, he’s been through the ups and downs and can share that with the guys.”

“In the early weeks we’ve been together, he’s really stood out to me,” Rampersad said about James. “He has a lot of experience as well, and I’m excited to have him here.”