The team claimed its seventh consecutive title at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister's Cup national women's soccer tournament, bringing its all-time win total to 63. The Songpa-gu Women's Soccer Team, a district-run sports organization, has been active for 28 years since its founding in 1998. Its 39 members — including founding players — are residents in their 20s through 60s working as office workers, teachers, police officers and homemakers.
The Songpa-gu Women's Soccer Team, operated by Seoul's Songpa-gu (district mayor Seo Gang-seok), won the 23rd Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister's Cup national women's soccer tournament.
The victory marks the team's seventh consecutive title since the 17th edition of the competition — an achievement that comes in June, as the world's attention turns to the North and Central America World Cup.
The Minister's Cup is an all-women's tournament that women's soccer teams across the country eagerly anticipate each year. This year's edition was held in Inje, Gangwon Province, on June 13 and 14. The Songpa-gu team defeated neighboring rival Gangdong-gu Women's Soccer Team 3-1 in the final. Player Kim Eun-su was named Most Valuable Player, and head coach Kim Du-seon received the best coach award.
The team has 39 members in total — 36 players ranging in age from their 20s to their 60s, plus a team manager, head coach and assistant coach. About a third of the players are homemakers; the rest are residents with a wide range of occupations, including office workers, teachers, self-employed business owners, civilian military employees and police officers. Team captain Joo Eun-jeong, 56, a former judo athlete who has been with the club since its founding in 1998, is one of only two original members still on the roster after 28 years. As of this month, the team's cumulative record stands at 63 titles and 22 runner-up finishes.
Head coach Kim Du-seon credits the team's strong results to fundamentals and physical conditioning. The squad trains three times a week — on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays — for two hours each session year-round, with a significant portion of that time devoted to fitness work.
The Songpa-gu Women's Soccer Team still has the President's Cup, the Seoul Citizens League and the Seoul City Champions tournament ahead this year. Even in the summer heat, the players keep their passion for the sport alive, drawing inspiration from South Korea's World Cup squad — Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in and Kim Min-jae — as well as international star Messi.
"Back in 1998, there were few opportunities for women to take up soccer as a recreational sport, yet the Songpa-gu Women's Soccer Team has kept going for 28 years since then," district mayor Seo said. "We will consistently support community sports so that all residents can enjoy a healthy and vibrant daily life through a wide variety of physical activities."
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