OLYMPIA, Wash. – For the first time, the Oly Town Artesians will field a women’s outdoor team this season and have hired Gig Harbor native and current Washington Premier coach Rachel Ross as their first head coach. The first-year squad will play an independent schedule throughout June and July. Tryouts are scheduled for this weekend, Saturday, May 15^th at 7:00 PM and Sunday, May 16^th at 10:00 AM at Black Hills High School.

“Adding elite women’s teams has been a long-term goal for the club,” said Artesians Founder and Director of Communications, Brandon Sparks. “We took a step toward that goal with our women’s indoor team that debuted in the WISL last spring and we are excited to take another step this summer. We saw an opportunity to build something here and are excited to get started.”

Rachel Ross will take the helm for the inaugural season. Ross, a two-time all-conference player at Pacific Lutheran after a season at Division I Portland State, began coaching at Washington Premier immediately after finishing her collegiate career and assisted on the WPFC 2019 State Cup Champions.

“I am very excited to be a part of Oly Town’s inaugural women’s outdoor team,” said Ross.

Ross will preside over tryouts on Saturday, May 15^th at 7:00 PM and May 16^th at 10:00 AM. Prospective players should arrive early to the turf field at Black Hills High School to fill out registration and paperwork. There is no fee to participate in tryouts.

The Artesians will play an independent schedule of friendlies this season and will explore all options to join a league for the 2022 season. The 2021 season schedule is being formulated and will be released soon.

Stay up to date with the 2021 men’s and women’s outdoor seasons by visiting www.olytownfc.com, following them on Twitter at twitter.com/OlyTownFC, and liking them on Facebook at FB.com/OlyTownFC.

Tryouts for the 2021 men’s outdoor Artesians are set for Friday, April 16th at 7:00 PM and Saturday, April 17th at 9:00 AM. Both sessions will take place on the turf at Black Hills High School. Head Coach Jason Gjertsen’s squad will compete in the Evergreen Premier League season that will run between late May and July and the Washington State Super Cup. There is no fee to tryout. Masks are required and all guidelines regarding masks and social distancing will be followed. If you need any more information, email olytownartesians@gmail.com.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Oly Town Artesians are excited to announce that Tacoma Community College and Washington Premier coach Jason Gjertsen has been appointed head coach for the 2021 men’s outdoor season. Gjertsen will lead the Artesians on the field as they return to play in the Evergreen Premier League after a full year off due to Covid-19.

Jason Gjertsen comes to Oly Town FC with a wealth of experience and years of success at Tacoma Community College, including NWAC titles in 2016 and 2018. He has also won two Washington Youth Soccer State Cup championships with Washington Premier and has served as head coach at his alma mater, Tacoma’s Wilson High School.

“Jason is an extremely successful college and club coach,” said Artesians Founder/Club President Tim Smith. “He is well known across the Pacific Northwest and we are grateful to have him lead the Artesians. The real winners here are our players because Jason will make them better, and our ownership group and club managers are excited because we know that will translate to a successful season on the field and in the community.”

After a successful high school career at Wilson, Gjertsen was an NWAACC all-star in 1999 and 2000 at TCC and won the league title in 2000. He then moved to The Evergreen State College and was instrumental in leading the Geoducks to 5^th place in the NAIA National Tournament in 2004. After college, he played indoor soccer for the Tacoma Stars winning PASL titles in 2004 and 2010.

 “We are most excited for the players within the Artesians system who will get to work with Jason,” added Artesians Owner/Soccer Operations Chair Tom Boatright. “It’s a new start to 2021 for our club that will bring excitement and high level soccer to the Olympia community.”

The start of the 2021 EPLWA season is still to be determined but is expected to kick off in May. Tryouts for the 2021 Artesians will be announced shortly with more details on friendly and league schedules expected soon.

Stay up to date with the Artesians as they celebrate their return to the pitch by visiting www.olytownfc.com, following them on Twitter at twitter.com/OlyTownFC, and liking them on Facebook at FB.com/OlyTownFC.