Tonight’s YPSL practices are on as scheduled.

Tara Davies and Blake Stockton are scheduled to train the YPSL players tonight.

 

 

 

Philadelphia Independence CEO/President David Halstead, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci and Philadelphia Independence General Manager/Head Coach Matt Driver were all on hand for the unveiling of Philadelphia Independence's name and colors at the Franklin Institute. (Howard C. Smith | isiphotos.com)

 

 

PHILADELPHIA (May 18, 2009)  Philadelphia Women’s Professional Soccer, (Philadelphia Women’s Pro Soccer LLC), is proud to announce the official team name, Philadelphia Independence, to the city and its passionate sports fans. Along with this announcement, the team also unveiled its colors and official team motto.  “Today’s announcement marks the beginning of what will be a permanent and proud presence in Philadelphia professional sports,” said David Halstead, Independence CEO/President.  “Through its play on the field, support of its communities, and commitment to its fans, the Philadelphia Independence will earn the right to be called a model sports organization.  Such an organization is deserving of the name Independence, and all the history, character, and spirit that goes along with that name.”

Consistent with Philadelphia’s storied history, and with the determination and persistence of the country’s forefathers, the name Independence represents many of the admirable characteristics of Philadelphia, including foresight, leadership, bravery, loyalty to cause, and defeating common enemies.  As General Manager and Head Coach Matt Driver explains, “the players will proudly wear the name Independence on their jerseys, as together we pledge our commitment to the fans of Philadelphia and to each other as we battle foes and make Philadelphians proud of the talent and toughness of the team.  This confidence and attitude is illustrative of the tradition of Independence.”

Additionally, the selected colors of yellow, steel grey and light blue each depict a representation of Philadelphia’s history, hard-nosed attitude, and accomplishments. Yellow commemorates the Swedish settlers who first came to Philadelphia in 1638. Steel Grey represents the city’s rich history in manufacturing and heavy industry. Light Blue is borrowed from Philadelphia’s own city flag and symbolizes the proud work ethic of this city’s blue collar heritage.

Philadelphia Independence will build its foundation on strong leadership and vision for excellence, as well as team work and empowerment toward creativity, just as our founding fathers did as expressed in the first three words of our country’s Constitution.  Thus, the parallel to our history brings the Philadelphia Independence official team motto, “We the People.”

Philadelphia Independence will begin play in 2010 and has already announced the accomplished Olympic gold medalist, Staci Wilson to the position of Assistant Coach. Fans are encouraged to sign up now for season ticket requests on the official Philadelphia Independence web site, www.wpsphillyindependence.com.   The web site will also provide updates and information about Philadelphia Independence team developments and activities. Sponsorship opportunities are also available and early sign on will offer sponsors the opportunity to grow and fully embed their brand in the full slate of opportunities available at the team’s professional, minor league, and youth level programs.

With team name, colors, and motto selected, the Philadelphia Independence continues to strengthen its identity.  The team is currently in the process of designing and developing the official team logo and crest.  Details will be released in the near future about the unveiling of the official logo as well as player signings during an Independence Weekend announcement event this July.

A complete electronic copy of the team’s media kit including detailed team information, bios, ticketing and sponsorship information is available on the press section of the Philadelphia Independence’s web site, www.wpsphillyindependence.com.

Diablos’ Coach & Team Dynamics founder sets up structure for youth development   PHILADELPHIA, PA (05/03/09) - The Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) Philadelphia 2010 team is strengthened by its comprehensive, vertically-integrated youth development and training system managed under its Team Dynamics subsidiary. Team Dynamics designs and operates a vast and growing network of boys and girls recreation and select (travel) soccer teams, players, coaches, camps, clinics, training services, outreach programs and health & fitness capabilities. This large training organization provides the perfect cradle-to-grave structure for the soccer athlete starting at an early age with camps and Youth Premier Soccer League (YPSL) participation, evolving to its high school and college minor league teams within Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) & National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). This pyramid structure culminates in the pro team’s designated women’s minor league feeder team - the CDSA Future of the WPSL East Conference. The A.C. Diablos and Philadelphia Liberty - the other two WPSL East teams who also compete under the Team Dynamics umbrella - will retain their full amateur status in this re-organization. This elaborate youth soccer progression system - all of its coaches/trainers, sports professionals, methodologies, and facilities - are part of Team Dynamics, which is owned and operated by the same ownership team as the WPS Philadelphia 2010 women’s pro soccer organization. "I am proud to see our professional soccer training and development programs continue to grow and now include thousands of youth soccer players and hundreds of teams and community programs across Pennsylvania, Delaware, and southern New Jersey communities," said Driver. "The final piece to this exciting Team Dynamics pyramid was added on March 16, 2009, when the WPS awarded Philadelphia the 8th women’s pro team franchise, and Team Dynamics became an important and permanent corporate entity within the WPS Philadelphia women’s pro team parent company." This solidification of the Team Dynamics "pyramid" structure is hot on the heels of the upcoming special day for Philadelphia’s soccer fans and supporters - the media evening and ceremony to mark the official signing of Philadelphia’s new women’s professional soccer team as well as the unveiling of the team name and team colors. This important event will be held on Monday, May 18th from 6-7:00 p.m. at the historic Franklin Institute in downtown Philadelphia. Show your support for the team and your passion for this great sport as we welcome the Commissioner of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) Tonya Antonucci to Philadelphia as well as the team’s ownership. This event will be packed with plenty of hoopla about our road ahead together, appearances by Philly officials, and lots of fun give-aways. Attending and helping us host the ceremony will be several of our community partners, and many youth soccer teams and clubs from around the area. If you would like to RSVP for this event, visit their official website at http://wpsphilly2010.com for more information.

WWW.WPSPHILLY2010.COM

Left to Right: John Cummins, Chicago Red Stars, Nick Sakeiwicz, CEO Keystone Sports & Entertainment  LLC, Matt Driver, Managing Partner WPS Philadelphia 2010.

CHESTER, PA (December 1, 2008) - During the recent ground breaking for the new soccer specific stadium in Chester,  Pennsylvania, Keystone Sports & Entertainment CEO Nick Sakeiwicz talked about a possible stadium partnership between Philadelphia’s new Major League Soccer (MLS) team and the Expansion Philadelphia Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) team. The partnership would make way for the expansion Philadelphia WPS franchise to share facilities with MLS Philadelphia thus giving them the luxury of playing in one of  the countries top notch state of the art stadiums. The 18, 500-seat stadium will be constructed at the foot of the Commodore Barry  Bridge in Chester, just 13 minutes from downtown Philadelphia and easily accesible by public transit and Interstate 95. The Multi-purpose facility will feature an 11,000 square foot club house, 30 suites and a built-in concert stage for world-class music shows.  ABOUT WOMENS PROFESSIONAL SOCCER WPS is the highest level women’s professional soccer league in North America.  Formed in September 2007 as the result of the efforts of the Women’s Soccer Initiative, Inc., WPS, which will begin play in April 2009 consists of seven teams across the country. The markets for the 2009 season are Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C.  WPS expects to expand to Atlanta and Philadelphia in 2010 and continues to explore additional potential franchises for 2010 and beyond. The WPS team planned for Dallas is now slated to begin play in 2010 as the League continues to work on securing a facility, with the intention that the Team will start play in the League’s second season.  More markets will be announced as they are added to the League.