OTTAWA, Ont. — Aug 21, 2026 — Ottawa Rapid FC has signed defenders Hannah Chown and Elise Bell, the club announced today. Both players are signed through the 2026 season.

Chown, a left-footed centre back, brings a composed presence to the back line and an ability to break lines with her passing. She trained with the club ahead of the benchmark fixture against Bay FC earlier this year.

Bell is an athletic, versatile fullback who can also feature on the wing, giving the club added flexibility across the back four and in wide areas.

Both players spent this season with Simcoe, and both featured in Simcoe's W Championship Cup win over Montreal.

"We’re excited to welcome Hannah and Elise to the team," said Sporting Director Kristina Kiss. "Hannah is a composed, left-footed centre back who reads the game well and can break lines with her passing. Elise brings athleticism and versatility across the back line and into wide areas. They're competitors who raise the level of our environment, and we're glad to have them with us."

Chown and Bell join the squad for the remainder of the 2026 season, adding depth, versatility and competitive ambition to the back line as Ottawa Rapid FC presses forward through its inaugural NSL campaign. Both defenders bring the composure and high-performance mindset the club is building on match by match. 

Ottawa returns to TD Place on Aug. 22 against Vancouver Rise FC, where the group will look to keep building momentum in front of the home crowd as they move into their fourth block of the season and make a run for the playoffs.

Media contact:
Carrie Croft
Ottawa Rapid FC
carrie@rapidfc.ca