Why subscribe to For The Isle?
I’ve covered Pacific FC since the club’s inception, from Hendrik Starostzik’s historic header to Marcel de Jong’s improbable comeback from injury. From cross-country motorcycle trips to kilt-clad supporters, I’ve sought to tell Pacific’s story not just on the pitch, but beyond it — in the hearts and minds of its community. And now I look forward to bringing those same stories directly to you.
You can expect a medley of things on For The Isle: firsthand interviews, data-driven stories, longreads, mailbags, Curb Your Enthusiasm references. Maybe even a podcast or two.
You can also expect the reporting and perspectives shared to come from right here on Vancouver Island. When the games return to Starlight Stadium, I’ll be there. When the club’s in the community, I’ll be there.
Some of these stories (match recaps, weekly write-ups) will be available for free. Other, deeper reads — if you should choose to support financially — will be available for subscribers. Whatever your situation, whether you’re eager to support independent media (thank you!) or here for the freebies, I hope you’ll enjoy it. This is for you.
Subscribe to get full access to the newsletter and website. Never miss an update.
Who am I?
Hi! My name is Martin Bauman. I live in Victoria, BC. My writing has been in the Globe and Mail, Calgary Herald, Waterloo Region Record, and on CanPL.ca, among other places. (I once had an ice hockey documentary airing on Welsh TV, but that’s another story.) As a radio journalist, my work has been on-air in Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Ottawa, Halifax, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, and overseas in Cardiff, Wales.
I hold an MFA in Writing from the University of Victoria, and in 2020, I was beyond fortunate to be named one of Canada’s “emergent” nonfiction writers by the RBC Taylor Prize. I also host a podcast, Story Untold, featuring interviews with artists, athletes, and activists alike — from Canadian international Issey Nakajima-Farran to Paralympian Rick Hansen. (Want an episode recommendation? I’ll be happy to give you one.)
A few of my favourite stories covering Pacific FC:
Pacific’s MacNaughton, Meilleur-Giguère vow to instill new defensive mindset
‘I always want more’: Pacific’s Zach Verhoven seizing spotlight
Pacific FC’s Mark Village finds new lease on life as team’s goalkeeping coach
Pacific coach Pa-Modou Kah preaches trust as club begins preseason
How do the subscriptions work?
You have several options to choose from to support and follow For The Isle:
Free: Want a weekly preview of what’s in store for Pacific FC throughout the 2021 CanPL season? Interested in match recaps from a local perspective, direct to your inbox? This one’s for you.
$5/month: Want additional longreads, data-driven pieces, player interviews, and mailbag columns — including in the preseason? Want Pacific FC coverage above and beyond what’s available elsewhere? For the cost of one Discovery Coffee espresso a month, it’s yours — plus, you get all of the free stuff too.
$30+/year: Want extra karma? Want to support freelance journalism through a difficult COVID-19 pandemic and earn this writer’s everlasting gratitude? This one gets you all of the above, plus a heartfelt thank you note. If you send me your postal address, I’ll even write you a letter.
Founding Members
A special thanks to the following for their generous support of For The Isle:
Michael Geldreich
Josh Rendle
Dan Baxter
And a hearty thank you to many other fine folks who have signed up for paid and free subscriptions. Glad to have you aboard!
I want to hear from you!
Got a burning question about Pacific FC you want to hear answered? Want to toss in your hypothetical Starting XIs or ask which movie character best represents each player? Want to talk preseason breakout favourites or why a 4-2-3-1 beats a 4-4-2? Send me an email (fortheisle@substack.com) — there’s a good chance I’ll include your question in a mailbag column.
Stay up-to-date
You won’t have to worry about missing anything. Every new edition of the newsletter goes directly to your inbox.
