Grand Rapids FC creating women’s team

Grand Rapids FC creating women’s team

Christina Bellero, a forward with the Long Island Rough Riders of United Women's Soccer, focuses on dribbling up field. Photo via instagram.com

Grand Rapids FC is expanding to include a women’s team.

The soccer club, or GRFC, said today that in addition to its National Premier Soccer League men’s team, it will field a women’s team for the upcoming 2017 season. The women’s team will play in the Midwest Division of the United Women’s Soccer league.

GRFC President Matt Roberts said the addition of a women’s team continues the organization’s goal of growing the game at a grassroots level and will allow young female soccer players the opportunity to watch, learn and interact with top-level athletes.

Roberts added the success of the men’s team last year was an indication the timing was right to expand.

“We believe that just like on the men's side, West Michigan has produced some top talent on the women's side, and we want to give those players the chance to highlight their tremendous play and give younger players something to aspire to here locally,” Roberts said.

GRFC has yet to announce the roster, coaching staff, home field and schedule for the women’s team.

2017 season

Tickets to the women’s team’s five home games will be added to GRFC’s 2017 season-ticket package at no extra charge. The $75 cost of the 2017 season ticket package will include admission to 10 men’s games and five women’s games, as well as the organization’s limited-edition 2017 scarf.

GRFC

Founded in 2014, Grand Rapids FC plays its home games at Houseman Field in Grand Rapids and averaged more than 4,500 spectators in 2015, its inaugural season.

Last year, the club moved from the Great Lakes Premier League to the National Premier League, a fourth-tier league in the American soccer pyramid, where it competes in the Midwest region.