In the heels of the USL Super League announcement of the first tier one professional women’s soccer league in the United States starting in August 2024, Forward Madison FC announced it has been granted a franchise to start in a subsequent season of the new league.
Appearing in the Forward Club at Breese Stevens field, the club’s front office was joined by City of Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and April Kigeya, a representative of The Mingo Ladies, the Supporters Group of Forward Madison focused on promoting female involvement in the sport. Special attention was given to the significance this new team will have in the community, particularly young girls and women.
“I am so excited to be here for this announcement of bringing women’s professional soccer to the city of Madison,” said Mayor Rhodes-Conway. “It’s an opportunity for young women all across the state of Wisconsin to not only see themselves playing sports, but also see themselves playing professional sports.”
“This is an exciting day for the community, for equity, for equality, for all those who identify as women to see that they also are able to play at a higher soccer level,” added Kigeya.
Conner Coleia, COO of Forward Madison FC, made it clear that the club is committed to taking all the steps necessary to make Breese Stevens Field a facility that can support a tier one professional women’s soccer team. Top among these improvements will be new turf, a dedicated women’s locker room and an indoor training facility for the new team.
For his part, club President Vern Steinman highlighted the role the community of soccer fans in Madison played in influencing this planned expansion. He shared that when asked about their support for an amateur women’s soccer team, the Flock community responded that they’d be against it, “because they would find it difficult … to support an organization that would pay their male players but didn’t pay their female players.”
Turning his attention to the long-term statewide vision, Steinman stated that the new professional women’s soccer team in Madison has the potential to “deliver top level women’s professional sports for the first time in the state of Wisconsin.”
The club also announced a website, Madison Women’s Pro Soccer, for fans to get in on the action early. The Mayor has already claimed her spot in the very first game whenever it happens, turning to the team’s leadership and asking, “can I kick the first ball?”
Stay tuned.
More Articles
Guardian Angel Program Will Help Elderly During a Power Outage
4/18/2024 | Melissa Kaye
The Guardian Angel Program is designed to help those at risk during electrical outages who are reliant on power for their medical devices.
Federal infrastructure investments being put to use in Wisconsin
4/18/2024 | Mike Moen, Wisconsin News Connection / Public News Service
Federal incentives are driving a range of local projects, taking off some of the pressure in making communities economically viable.
Wisconsin voters with disabilities demand a better way to vote absentee
4/18/2024 | Alexander Shur / Votebeat
The lawsuit alleges that the state’s election system places undue burdens on the right to vote for Wisconsinites with disabilities.
Cornell Police Officer Files Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against Former Police Chief
4/18/2024 | James Kelly
A Cornell Police Officer has filed a federal lawsuit accusing former Chief Brian Hurt of sexually assaulting her at work.
Earth Day’s Wisconsin roots and what to know in 2024
4/18/2024 | Teri Barr
Earth Day is April 22 and its roots run deep in Wisconsin with events planned to honor the past while planning more action in the future Are you making plans to honor Mother Earth? April 22 is Earth Day, and it’s a deeply-rooted Wisconsin-idea! Senator Gaylord Nelson, a Democrat from Wisconsin, supported legislation meant to […]