(Feb. 19, 2008) – In advance of its April 2009 kickoff, Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) achieved a significant milestone at U.S. Soccer’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday, Feb. 15 in Waikoloa, Hawaii. At the Federation’s Board of Directors meeting, WPS was recommended for and granted provisional Division 1 status by the body which governs soccer in the United States.
“U.S. Soccer has been so supportive of us as we have worked tirelessly together to poise the league for success and sustainability,” said WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci. “Receiving Division 1 status is about more than sanctioning. It’s about developing a relationship with U.S. Soccer who wants to see our league become a permanent part of the soccer landscape.”
As no matches will be contested in 2008, Women’s Professional Soccer will hold provisional Division 1 status for the next year. The league will receive full Division 1 status just prior to its inaugural season at the 2009 U.S. Soccer AGM in Orlando, Fla.
“Being granted Division 1 status is a signal that the league is on the right path,” said Burt Haimes, who as the chair of U.S. Soccer’s women’s professional league committee recommended that WPS be sanctioned. “It’s a testament to their credibility and the enormous work that they’ve put in to date. They’re on the path so that everything goes according to schedule.”
Obtaining Division 1 status is an important step for WPS as it provides the league with substantial benefits. Sanctioning insures that the league’s referees are registered with and receive training from U.S. Soccer. In addition, the Federation will supply oversight to guarantee that the league follows FIFA regulations and complies with all U.S. Soccer rules.
Women’s Professional Soccer will also assist U.S. Soccer as the league creates a training ground for the U.S. Women’s National Team player pool. Furthermore, WPS will be directly and tangibly tied to the growth of the sport as it will inspire countless young players to register with the Federation in order to participate in youth soccer programs.
As WPS transitions from provisional to full Division 1 status during the upcoming year, league officials will continue to communicate with U.S. Soccer in order to update the Federation on additional franchises, the securing of facilities, new operational initiatives and the hiring of league and team personnel.
“We’re interested to see what the final number of teams will be for launch,” said Haimes. “The strength of the ownership groups looks very strong at this point.”
Several hundred constituents from the Federation’s youth, adult, professional and athlete councils attended the U.S. Soccer AGM to review administrative issues, consider rule and policy changes and to carry out other business.
“The league received an extremely positive reaction at the AGM,” said Antonucci. “Many people offered to help WPS, and they asked how their organizations could aid us in making WPS a success. This type of response sets a great tone for how we foresee our relationship with our fans and partners developing.”
Karyn Lush is a freelance writer and can be reached at karyn.wps@gmail.com . The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's, and not necessarily those of Women’s Professional Soccer or womensprosoccer.com.