NC Courage and Triangle Volleyball Club Fuel Regional Pride and Growth in the Future of Women’s Sports

Raleigh, N.C. (Feb. 4, 2026) – As the nation celebrates National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Raleigh proudly shines as a dynamic destination for women’s athletics, driven by organizations that champion excellence and empowerment. The region is home to a vibrant sports ecosystem that supports the growth of girls and women at every level of sports. From the nationally recognized North Carolina Courage (NC Courage), who inspire fans through elite competition and community leadership, to Triangle Volleyball Club, one of the area’s most successful youth development programs. Together, these organizations are led by women who reinforce Raleigh’s commitment to not only showcase but elevate women in sports.

Raleigh has long been a powerhouse in the soccer world. The Raleigh area’s commitment to the sport is reflected in First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park, a premier 10,000-seat stadium that serves as home to the NC Courage. Local soccer fans take pride in the fact that NC Courage is the winningest club in National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) history, boasting seven league trophies, including three NWSL Shields (2017, 2018, 2019), two NWSL Championships (2018, 2019), two Ultimate Kronos Group (UKG) NWSL Challenge Cup titles (2022, 2023) and the 2018 International Champions Cup (ICC) Championship. The club’s influence reaches beyond league play, with seven Courage players representing their national teams in international friendlies, underscoring the global caliber of talent being cultivated in the Triangle. This culture of success is fueled by a pipeline of young talent that is shaped right here in Raleigh. North Carolina youth clubs have produced hundreds of collegiate and professional women’s soccer players, with NCFC Youth being one of the largest youth soccer clubs in the nation with over 700 teams. 

“Women’s professional sports are experiencing unprecedented growth, and the opportunity to help fuel that momentum here in the Triangle as President of the Courage has been one of the great honors of my career,” said Francie Gottsegen, president of NC Courage. “We’ve seen record attendance and corporate partnerships, driven by a community that believes in expanding access, inspiring young people and investing in women’s sports. While we’re proud of the progress so far, we know there’s more work ahead. With soccer’s popularity continuing to rise and a World Cup coming to the United States this summer, this is a critical moment to build a lasting impact on and off the field for our region and the next generation.”

Triangle Volleyball Club adds another pillar to the region’s growing reputation as a hub for elite women’s athletics. Founded in 2002, Triangle Volleyball quickly established itself as a regional and national leader in the sport, becoming the first club in North Carolina to open its own dedicated volleyball facility. Building on that foundation, the club now stages multiple large-scale tournaments at the Raleigh Convention Center and Triangle Volleyball’s facility that draw thousands of athletes and spectators each year, delivering significant economic impact to the region. The City of Oaks Challenge, a major junior boys’ and girls’ tournament held in Raleigh since 2016, now draws more than 280 teams annually and just celebrated its 11th anniversary in January 2026, generating an estimated $4 million in direct economic impact. Alongside it, the long-running Mid-Atlantic Power League (MAPL) continues to bring elite girls’ teams across two weekends each March, attracting over 2,000 attendees per weekend and contributing about $1 million per weekend in direct visitor spending.

“I have had the privilege of serving Triangle Volleyball Club as executive director since 2011, during a period of tremendous growth in girls’ junior club volleyball and women’s sports overall,” said Sherry Fadool, executive director of Triangle Volleyball Club. “As the sport has expanded nationally — including the emergence of professional leagues — Triangle Volleyball has grown alongside the Raleigh community, helping position the region as a hub for elite volleyball and youth sports development. Serving as a female leader in Raleigh is both exciting and deeply rewarding, particularly as I have the opportunity to model leadership and possibility for the next generation of young women.”

These organizations represent a snapshot of the many initiatives empowering women and girls across Raleigh, with programs like Meredith College Flag Football, Carolina Hurricanes girls’ and women’s hockey programs and BallHers Choice Sports which continue to expand access and opportunity. These efforts reinforce Raleigh’s commitment to building a more inclusive future for women in sports.

About the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance (GRSA):
A division of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh) – the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance (GRSA) markets and promotes Raleigh and all of Wake County to generate and/or retain sports-related businesses (tournaments, championships, special events and meetings) for economic development. Raleigh, N.C./Wake County welcomes 19 million visitors annually, whose spending tops $3.4 billion. The visitor economy supports more than 26,000 local jobs in Wake County and generates $321 million in state and local tax revenues, saving each Wake County household $720 in taxes annually. raleighsports.org

Media Contact: 
Visit Raleigh
Dana Goodwin
Public Relations and International Tourism Manager
919.830.1289
dgoodwin@visitraleigh.com

# # #