FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 6, 2023) – The Women’s Premier Soccer League announced today that its International Combine for 2023 will be hosted at Duke University in partnership with Duke Sports Medicine. With the announcement, the League confirms the event will be held on Dec. 13-16 on Duke’s campus in Raleigh, N.C.
“We are thrilled to be hosting the WPSL International Combine,” Ryan Kimball, FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence at Duke Sports Medicine managing director, said. “We are excited to be able to support the health and performance of these female soccer athletes as part of our center’s commitment to advancing the game of women’s soccer.”
The WPSL first launched its International Combine in 2018 in Oklahoma City, which saw 120 participants attend. Since then, the League held combines in 2020 and 2022, with nearly 250 players participating across the three events. These International Combines serve as another avenue for the WPSL to provide greater opportunities for player advancement to the professional stage – both nationally and internationally.
“Both Soccer Performance International and the Women’s Premier Soccer League strive to play a pivotal role in the future of our players regardless of where they wish to play,” Andy Vera, WPSL director of international programs, said. “Once again, the International Combine will provide a forum for our athletes to showcase talents on a global stage.”
This year, participants can expect high-level programming at the event, including training sessions, showcase scrimmages, and educational seminars. Additionally, in partnership with Italian company SICS SRL, the combine will provide game and player in-depth analysis for all participants that will be available to international professional leagues via the company’s video platform, SICS TV.
The WPSL has also confirmed the three coaches set to lead the combine this year – Francesca Stancati, Southern Italian region scout and representative from the Italian Soccer Federation (F.I.G.C) who holds a UEFA “A” Badge; Paola Luisa Orlando, Cosenza Calcio Women’s Team coach of Italy’s Serie B League; and Francesco Ramunno, goalkeeper coach with experience from clubs including AC Milan Academy, CFT Cosenza, and Cittanova Calcio who holds a UEFA “B” badge.
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For more information on the 2023 WPSL International Combine visit wpslsoccer.com/combine.
About the Women’s Premier Soccer League
The WPSL returns for its 26th season of play as the longest-active women’s soccer league in the United States. Boasting more than 125 clubs nationwide while occupying 35 states coast-to-coast, the WPSL solidifies itself as the largest women’s soccer league in the world. Team rosters feature elite collegiate, post-collegiate, international, and standout prep student-athletes. Many of the United States’ most accomplished women’s national team players have played in the WPSL since its inception in 1998, including household names such as Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Abby Wambach, and Brandi Chastain.