HICKORY, NC – North Carolina FC (NCFC) is naming Lenoir-Rhyne Head Women's Soccer Coach Joanna (Boyles) Fennema to their NCFC Youth 50
th Anniversary Team Starting XI. A staple in the world of North Carolina Soccer, Fennema is one of just two individuals to make the team.
"When Paul Forrester called me to share that NCFC was honoring me as part of their 50th Anniversary All-Start Team I felt a tremendous wave of emotions. I started with the club in mini kickers when I was five years old and I was instantly hooked," said Fennema. "As I grew with the club I became teammates with some of the most special people in my life. We represented the club as a family. The '94 Chelsea Ladies were the definition of a team and our coach, Damon Nahas, fostered love and respect for one another. Even now, the club and team mean the world to me."
This 50
th Anniversary Team is made up of 50 players, coaches, teams, and contributors who positively impacted the sport or organization in such a way that deserves recognition. The criteria to qualify for the 50
th Anniversary Team as a player are as follows:
- Played at least 4 years with Capital Area Soccer League, Triangle Futbol Club Alliance, and/or NCFC Youth
- Recognized at higher levels of competition for their on-field playing abilities through youth or full national teams, college, and/or professional ranks
- Other considerations include a player's:
- continued support of growing the game (at any level) – as a coach, administrator, advocate, or other role
- commitment to the community
- passion for the sport and the club
- history of sportsmanship, strong character, respect, and other traits needed to be a leader and team player
"It truly was an honor to call Jo and inform her of her selection to our 50
th Anniversary All-Star Commemorative Team," stated Director of NCFC Youth Soccer Paul Forster. "Jo was a player that worked daily on improving her game while playing in our club. She captained our most successful team winning 2 national championships. Jo set a wonderful example for younger players and her teammates in our club with her competitive spirit and tireless work ethic, which earned her opportunities to play on the US YNT, at UNC - Chapel Hill, and professionally. Recognition on this team is not just about an individual's on field performance, but their contributions to the game as a whole even after their playing days. For us, Joe represents this with her commitment as a coach now… developing players, teams, and giving back to the game."
Fennema is North Carolina through and through. Growing up in Raleigh, she helped captain the CASL Chelsea Ladies from 2009-13, winning back-to-back national titles in 2011-12. Her club success attracted the attention of the USA Youth National Team scouts, and she was named to the U15 Women's National Team in 2010, before quickly being promoted to the U17 National Team. Fennema was a major piece in those U17 teams that won the 2010 Nordic Championship and the 2012 CONCACAF Championship in Guatemala.
Following her time at the youth level, she stayed home to play soccer at the University of North Carolina, putting together an extremely impactful career. Starting in 59 of her 84 games played at UNC, Fennema scored 14 goals and dished out 17 assists during her career, allowing her to be drafted into the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), where she appeared in 19 matches before retiring due to injury.
"Throughout my collegiate career at UNC, my years with the US national teams, and my time playing in the NWSL, the lessons I learned and the desire to represent the club were paramount to me. As I fast forward to my time here as the head coach at LR, those experiences remain my guiding light. This award is without a doubt a full circle moment and I feel so grateful."
