S P O RT S
BY: THOMAS ISCENKO
Norman Pro Soccer Oklahoma Celtic joins the Women’s Premier Soccer League
T
he Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) has added Oklahoma Celtic as its next expansion club. As an elite youth club with ties to both the Elite Clubs National League and Norman Youth Soccer Association, Oklahoma Celtic will now take part in the Red River Conference and will compete alongside 130 WPSL clubs in the 24th season expected to begin in April. “Our community has always been very supportive of soccer,” said Don Rother, executive director for the Oklahoma Celtic. “Being accepted into the Women’s Premier Soccer League completes our developmental pyramid and fulfills our goal of offering soccer to all ages and levels for our female players.” Right off the start, Oklahoma Celtic will have their own rivals in Oklahoma City FC and Tulsa Soccer. The Red River Conference also includes other competition from such clubs as FC Dallas, FC Wichita, Texas Spurs FC and Little Rock Rangers. Rother invites the community to watch the team’s games at Norman North High School but said the
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construction of a Celtic stadium is planned for the near future. Preparations are already underway to recruit local talent, and Rother elaborated on the process Oklahoma Celtic is undergoing to fill their squad for the upcoming inaugural season.
“Our scouts are going out to the local high school and colleges and watching their games,” he explained. “We’re reaching out to coaches of players who caught our attention.”
Beyond bringing a professional soccer club to Norman, the team’s relationship with NYSA will help build the sport throughout the community. NYSA offers both boys’ and girls’ soccer programs to develop local talent and cultivate opportunities for all interest and skill levels. “The big goal of a soccer club is to offer opportunities for all interest levels, from the casual player to the most elite. Our goal has always been to build from within,” Rother added. “We want to develop players from right here in Norman. We’re trying to give every age group a place to play and train.” Oklahoma Celtics inclusion into WPSL is an exciting opportunity for fans and athletes in the Norman community. Many of America’s World Cup Winners such as Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach have all played within the league. It will be interesting to see what gems Oklahoma Celtic’s scouts uncover, and which of these local talents will move on to possibly play on the world’s biggest stage in the not too distant future.– BSM
