PRESS RELEASE

 

ADDITION OF VALDOSTA FC FOR 2026 SEASON BRINGS WPSL TO SOUTH GEORGIA

 

OKLAHOMA CITY (1/20/2026) — The Women’s Premier Soccer League announced Valdosta FC as the newest addition to the roster of clubs playing in the 2026 season kicking off in May. Located in south-central Georgia 80 miles northeast of Tallahassee and 120 miles northwest of Jacksonville, Valdosta FC will add to the many fierce WPSL rivalries in the South Region. 

 

“Valdosta FC’s entry into the WPSL elevates the competitive standard of our organization while expanding opportunities for players and the community,” Christian Faulkner, Valdosta FC vice president, said. “It strengthens our player pathway, increases regional visibility for women’s soccer, and pushes us to operate at a higher level both on and off the field.” 

 

Founded in 2024 by Luke Pelkowski and Faulkner, the 2026 WPSL season will be Valdosta’s first foray into the women’s game after fielding its first men’s team in 2025. 

 

Both Pelkowski and Faulkner bring soccer backgrounds to the club. Pelkowski, who serves as president of the club, played collegiately at Thomas University and in the semi-professional ranks with Tallahassee Soccer Club. Faulkner, a South Georgia native, brings a finance background and a life-long passion for the game to his role as vice president.

 

“The WPSL aligns perfectly with Valdosta FC’s mission by giving female athletes a high-level platform to compete, develop, and be seen, while allowing us to grow the women’s game in our community,” Faulkner said. 

 

Tony Voyles will serve as head coach in the club’s inaugural season. Voyles played collegiately at Auburn University—Montgomery and professionally in Iceland’s top-flight with HK and domestically in the USL with the Wilmington Hammerheads. His 25-year coaching resume includes roles with the Tallahassee Soccer Club, Thomas University, United Football Academy, and several high schools in South Georgia. He holds a USSF “A” coaching license. 

 

Conference and division alignment will be announced at the WPSL Annual General Meeting January 30-31. The 28th WPSL season kicks off in mid-May, culminating with the WPSL Championships in July. The 2026 WPSL schedule will be announced in March.

 

 

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For more information on Valdosta FC, visit its official website, or follow on Facebook and Instagram. 

 

For more information on the WPSL, visit www.wpslsoccer.com.

 

About the Women’s Premier Soccer League

The WPSL completed its 27th season in 2025 remaining  the most tenured women’s league in North America. The WPSL continues to operate as the largest women’s soccer league in the world. An all-time high of 150 teams competed in the 2025 WPSL Season. 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.