NPL member South Atlantic Premier League expands to include girls divisions

CHARLESTON, S.C. – US Club Soccer announced that the South Atlantic Premier League is expanding for the 2023-24 season with the addition of girls clubs to the National Premier Leagues (NPL) member.

Currently a boys-only platform, the following seven clubs are adding their girls U-13 through U-19 teams to the league:

• Barca Academy (NC/SC)
• Charleston Soccer Club (SC)
• Georgia Impact Soccer Club (GA)
• North Alabama Soccer Club (AL)
• Southern Soccer Academy (GA)
• United Futbol Academy (GA)
• Wake FC (NC)

Beginning in the fall season, these clubs will compete for qualification to the 2024 NPL Finals, which will be held in July in Denver, Colorado. The South Atlantic Premier League is a founding member league of the National Premier Leagues, having first launched in 2012. Thirteen member boys clubs are currently competing for slots to the 2023 NPL Finals. Top teams will then compete against 16 other regional NPL member leagues throughout the country for championships.

“The South Atlantic Premier League is thrilled to be offering an NPL platform for female players beginning in the 2023 fall season,” said Tom Phillips, South Atlantic Premier League director. “The seven clubs already committed to participating in this inaugural season ensures quality, high level competition. We are delighted with this new addition and look forward to its growth and development in the years to come.”

“North Alabama SC is thrilled to join the NPL and the South Atlantic Premier League for our girls program,” said Henry Mpagi, North Alabama SC Director of Coaching. “This is another step forward for all U-13 to U-19 female players in our club and North Alabama. We continue to provide opportunities to compete in a national league with top clubs in the Southeast, while offering players increased exposure through a collegiate identification platform. Joining the NPL for our girls program demonstrates our commitment to growing the game in North Alabama and maintaining a pathway to offer the highest level of girls soccer in North Alabama.”

“We are excited for our girls teams to be joining the NPL’s South Atlantic Premier League for the 2023-24 season,” added Sarah Michner, Charleston SC Girls Director of Coaching. “We know it will be a competitive regional league that will continue to develop and allow our players to be identified through the US Club Soccer id2 program. As a club, we are committed to long-term individual player development. Therefore, we also value that the league prioritizes not just competition, but the cost, travel and the overall student-athlete experience when creating league schedules and showcase events.”

Any clubs interested in learning more of submitting an application to join the South Atlantic Premier League may contact Tom Phillips at [email protected].