PASS FC Announces Grand Rapids Women’s Semi-Pro Soccer Team

PASS F.C proudly announces a Grand Rapids Semi-Pro women’s soccer team in the United Women’s Soccer League. This semi-pro soccer team will be the only UWS team located in West Michigan and will begin play in the summer of 2024. The team will focus its recruitment on local players, consisting of college athletes, recent graduates, and professional athletes. They will compete in the Great Lakes conference along with Michigan Jaguars, Michigan Stars, Michigan Hawks, Nationals SC, Livonia City, and more.

“We are excited to use this venture to inspire local female soccer players and provide a pathway for these athletes to continue playing the game and competing at a high level,” said TJ VanSlooten, coaching director at PASS FC. “After a highly successful debut year with our men’s semi-pro team, we are proud to now be offering opportunities for both men and women in Grand Rapids to continue pursuing their soccer ambitions.”

PASS F.C. is a premier Grand Rapids-based soccer club, primarily focused on its youth teams, boasting close to 400 athletes in its program. Located on the north side of the city, PASS was established in 2001 to provide challenging opportunities for young people of diverse backgrounds to develop and demonstrate life-enhancing values and behaviors through the sport of soccer. They now offer teams from ages 5-18 and adult semi-pro through UWS, UPSL, MSPSP Premier, NLC, Director’s Academy, GVSA Academy, Super Y and their Juniors programs.

The club gained recognition for its successful UPSL Men’s team in 2023 and aims to extend its impact by creating a professional soccer pathway for male and female athletes in Grand Rapids. The club’s dedication to maintaining neutrality and fostering competitiveness aligns with the mission to elevate soccer throughout Michigan. PASS FC’s home matches during the 2024 season will be hosted at Northview High School, providing a vibrant venue for fans to support the team.

United Women’s Soccer (UWS) was formed late in 2015 under the belief that there was a gap in the development of female soccer players between the collegiate game and the professional & international game. A dedicated Tier 2 league was needed. UWS will fill that gap with a summer competitive season that will help the collegiate player evolve & enhance their game for fall competition while giving the post-collegiate player a chance to further develop for the professional & international ranks.

The team is actively recruiting local athletes to join the roster and will be hosting an open tryout on Sunday, March 10th from 1:30-3:30pm. PASS FC looks forward to a dynamic season in UWS, bringing high-level competition and showcasing the talent thriving in West Michigan. The club invites the community to join them on this exciting journey and support women’s soccer in the region. 

For more information about PASS FC and its involvement in UWS, please visit www.passsoccerclub.com, follow PASS FC Pro on social media, or contact TJ VanSlooten at tj.vanslooten@pass.soccer.