Barons Add Women?s Team for 2001 Season! Sister Team to Play in W-2 League

Press Release

Beginning in May!

Atco, NJ -- The South Jersey Barons professional soccer organization has added a women's team which will compete in the nationwide W-2 League this season. The team's season opener versus the New Jersey Wildcats is scheduled for 5:00 PM, May 5 at Cherokee High School Stadium in Marlton.

Part of the United Soccer Leagues system, the W-League has represented the highest level of competitive women's soccer in North America since 1994. The W-League is an "Open League", which allows professionals to play alongside top collegiate and youth stars on the same team. W-League team rosters have included both former and current National Team players. Fans through-out North America have seen players from the 1999 Women's World Cup Champion U.S. National Team, as well as a few from national teams of Canada, England, Japan, Scotland and Denmark compete in W-League matches. Due to the tremendous growth of the W-League since its inception, it split into two divisions in 1998, forming the "elite" level W-1 League, and the W-2 League. This year, the W-League will have an affiliation with the new professional Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) as well, developing players and moving them up to the WUSA.

South Jersey's as yet unnamed entry will compete in the W-2 League. A 13 game schedule is set, culminating with national championship play-offs and the possibility of promotion to the W-1 League.

"Formation of the women's team fulfills of our pledge to provide a means to develop all South Jersey players at the highest level possible," said Barons President Cliff Simmons. "It has been our intent since the Barons were established in 1996 to add a W-League team. This will create a top tiered team for South Jersey girls and women to shoot for -- and a vehicle for the elite players to use to get to the WUSA."

Wayne Grocott has been named the team's Head Coach, with Barons Head Coach Matt Driver serving as the team's Technical Director. Grocott is a native of North London, England, where he played semi-professionally for 14 years. He has been coaching soccer at the youth and semi-professional level in England for the past 10 years, and holds his English Football Association (E.U.F.A. "B") License and Coaching Certificate. Grocott is currently completing his United States Soccer Federation B License as well. He has done clinics in Kansas, St. Louis, Minneapolis and Indianapolis along with New Jersey, and has been assisting in the development of youth team players for the South
Jersey Barons for the past two seasons.

Try-outs for the team will be held at Edgewood Jr. High School in Tansboro on three dates. For college age players (U-19 and above) try-outs will be held on February 18 and 25 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. For high level (O.D.P. regional and national team quality) players of age levels U-16 to U-18, try-outs will be held on February 17 and 18 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Those wishing to try out for the team should call the Barons organization at (856) 753-7608.

Fans can enter a contest to name the team, with the winner receiving four season tickets for the inaugural season. To enter, fans should send their suggestion to: Name the Team Contest, C/O South Jersey Barons, 427 Jackson Road, Suite B, Atco, NJ 08004. Entries must be post dated by January 15th. The women's team will play all home games at Cherokee High School Stadium in Marlton. Most home games will be played as the opening game of doubleheaders, with South Jersey Barons games immediately following.