THE WPSL ADDS THIRD UTAH TEAM IN 2021 EXPANSION CLASS

LEHI, Utah –  With its largest expansion class over the last few seasons, the Women’s Premier Soccer League grows in the state of Utah by welcoming Utah Surf ahead of the upcoming season. Utah Surf joins two other Salt Lake City area teams, Utah Arrows SC and Utah Red Devils.

As part of the national youth organization, Surf Soccer Club, Utah Surf seeks to maximize the potential of individuals and teams through elite soccer training and competition and with its number one objective being player development added with its tradition of developing players and teams to compete at the highest levels, the club foresees massive opportunity and potential by joining the WPSL.

For the inaugural season, Utah Surf has appointed executive director Blaine Hale as head coach. Hale has been the Olympic Development Coach for Region IV since 2014 and Utah Surf’s director of coaching since 2013. He also served as staff coach for Real Salt Lake Pre-Academy for two years, as well as coached at the high school level for five years and holds a USSF “A” License.

“We are elated to offer a professional pathway for our youth athletes and a home to which they can return for a summer season after they have left to play college ball for their respective season,” Hale said. “We look forward to working closely with the young women in the community to provide them with strong role models and inspiration to achieve their full potential as humans and athletes.”

Former Division I player, Laken Flinders, will serve as the club’s assistant coach. Flinders played for Utah Valley University and currently serves as Utah Surf’s girls coach for the youth side. She also played for Charleston Fleet during the 2018 WPSL season and believes having the experience of a player in the WPSL will bring added value to her time with Utah Surf’s WPSL team.

“I am very excited to be a part of Utah Surf WPSL! I was able to play in the WPSL while I was in college and saw first-hand the benefits that come from playing at this level,” Flinders said. “I am excited to now be a part of the coaching staff and am looking forward to giving the opportunity to these girls to play professionally at the next level. This is a great pathway for young women to play against other competitors, create lasting relationships and cultivate a life-long passion for women’s soccer.”

For the 2021 season, Utah Surf will compete in the Mountain Conference of the West Region with the two other Utah-based teams as well as five teams from the Colorado Springs/Denver area.

More information about Utah Surf can be found at their website www.utahsurfsoccer.com as well as their Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages. For additional information on the WPSL visit wpslsoccer.com.