The San Antonio Athenians Soccer Club has a short, but rich history. Founded in 2016, Athenians became the first semi-pro women’s soccer team in San Antonio. That same year saw the Athenians play Liga MX Femenil team Club de Futbol Pachuca in an exhibition attracting nearly 3,000 fans. Flash Forward four years and they are making strides to shore up their position at the forefront of San Antonio women’s soccer history.

January 22, 2021 it was announced in a press release on social media that Juventus Academy San Antonio (SA) acquired the franchise rights of the Athenians in UWS. In the release UWS Commissioner Joe Ferrara Jr. is quoted as saying, “We are excited to have Juventus Academy San Antonio power the return to UWS of the San Antonio Athenians. The investment made in the community by the Juventus Academy is astonishing and to have an affiliate with a direct tie to the Italian club increases the stature of the team and league. Juventus Academy will take over a strong and successful brand in the Athenians and will surely bring the team to the next level.”

The Athenians brand is invaluable in the San Antonio area. In the origin story the Athenians were the only women’s team in San Antonio that was not associated with a youth club. Consciously steering clear of local club team color combinations, Athenians established themselves as a neutral team to cheer for. They have no immediate plans to change the name or colors.

Cutting edge in women’s semi-pro soccer Athenians have their own supporters’ group. The Crocketteers, support USL Championship side SAFC, started officially tailgating and supporting the Athenians in 2019 season.

In a conversation with Olivier Pheulpin, who’s official title is Technical Director, but he is the brains behind Juventus Academy SA and Soccer Central, the word he used to summarize the Athenians was “community”. When discussing his thoughts on the club he shares, “surround yourselves with the right idea and the right people and the Athenians were the right piece.” His vision, and that of the club, is to make soccer available to everyone, similar to the European model. He saw the opportunity and potential for the women’s game in San Antonio.

Regular exhibition matches with Liga MX Femenil teams have included Pachuca, Tigres, and Pumas, drawing crowds and creating a buzz. Fans hope that the new owners continue the tradition, but possibly bring in some Italian flair. Juventus Women’s team plays in Serie A First Division. Readers may be familiar with Juventus player and Italian international star, Barbara Bonasea, who had a breakout performance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019. When I broached this subject Pheulpin shared, “It’s too early for 100% certainty, but it’s on the table, but when is unknown. It is more likely with the women’s team than the men’s.” As a San Antonio resident just the idea that this could happen excites me!

Twelve days after announcing the transition of the team to Juventus, Fabio Melo de Alcantara was named as the head coach. Alcantara was already teaching Joga Bonita (Brazilian way) at Soccer Central. Assistant coach and head of Athenians U-23 team, Marc Verriere is a former assistant coach of Spanish D3 women’s side Atletic Vilafranca.

Athenians announced their first signing in Stefany Ferrer-vanGinkel. Pheulpin disclosed, “Stefany is a good indicator of what we will do. She is a creative player. We want emotion and excitement.” He talked about playing ambitious soccer, but you could tell from conversation his heart is to play a beautiful game.

Ferrer is a midfielder for West Virginia University (WVU) Women’s soccer team and considers Barcelona, Spain as her hometown. 2020 was her Senior year which she received Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors. During her time at WVU she received Academic All-Big 12 Team honors three times. WVU head coach shared in the DA student paper, “She knows her job and is confident in her role, She isn’t afraid to take risks.” This first signing is making a statement about the competitive nature of this team and their desire to be elite. It is clear that with this new acquisition the Athenians want to improve on their .500 2019 UWS season.

Scouting is already taking place for the best players that fit their culture and system. One advantage of being part of the Juventus family is the academy system that’s in place in over 80 countries. Pheulpin states they are already talking to players both nationally and internationally, some having never been to San Antonio or the US.

Juventus Academy SA, and now the Athenians, call Soccer Central on the Westside of San Antonio home. Soccer Central touts on their website “dormitories, two professional sized Futsal courts, three street soccer fields, two beach soccer courts, an 80,000 SF building in a 23-acre soccer complex, and of course ten turf fields, including one on the rooftop for good measure.” This is a soccer complex that professional teams can be jealous of. Pheulpin shared his vision for the 6.2 million dollar complex in an article with the San Antonio Express News on the launch of the Juventus Academy in January 2019, “a world-class one connected with one of the most prestigious soccer brands in Europe.” The complex is still in the process of being built with many of the fields already in place.

The Athenians acquisition by Juventus Academy SA should be encouraging for San Antonio women’s soccer fans regarding the stability of this original team. There is a chance for the Athenians to separate themselves from the five other women’s semi-pro teams in San Antonio, as elite. A state-of-the-art facility and ties to the largest club in Italy, this team could start to become a destination for women’s players. All the pieces are in place to continue to make history.

- Danielle Gawronski