ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. (December 16, 2021) – The Women’s Premier Soccer League announced today, Joy Athletic Club will join the league for the upcoming 2022 season. With the announcement, Joy Athletic become the league’s second Minnesota-based expansion for 2022 – Manitou FC was announced earlier this month.
“We are so happy to have the opportunity to join the WPSL for this upcoming season,” Andrei Gotsmanov, Joy Athletic general manager, said. “This will give our players a chance to showcase their style of play as well as a chance to gain experience against high-level WPSL teams.”
Joy Athletic was founded in 2009 by its parent corporation Joy of the People (JOTP), a non-profit organization whose mission is to build communities and health through play. The organization is committed to providing a high-performance and sustainable women’s soccer team which will feature individuals developed at JOTP.
While Joy Athletic focuses its on-field goals to serve as a tangible pathway goal for its young players, the organization will continue to make strides in its community outreach efforts with its immediate plans on arranging weekly after school programs at five schools in St. Louis Park, including four elementary school and one middle school. JOTP has delivered programing at South St. Anthony Rec Center for over a decade through a partnership with St. Paul Parks and Rec.
"Joy Athletic is thrilled to be entering the WPSL. Our goal is to build a tangible pathway of play for girls everywhere,” Ted Kroeten, JOTP founder, said. “Play is more than ‘just fun’, it’s how we practice the key skills we need to be successful people – critical thinking, communication, creativity, coordination and more. If we want strong people and players, we must devote resources to play [and] this team will model that ideal and serve as an example of building community through play."
Joy Athletic is set to play its inaugural WPSL season at Oriole Stadium in St. Louis Park. Announcements on ticket sales, scheduling, and WPSL alignment are to follow.
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For additional information on the WPSL visit wpslsoccer.com.