SOOP said on Wednesday it has confirmed Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City as the home base of its new women’s professional volleyball team, SOOP SOOPers, and unveiled an official emblem reflecting the club’s identity.

SOOP SOOPers plans to broaden points of contact for communication with local fans based in Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City and establish itself as a professional sports club that grows with the local community.

The official emblem unveiled along with the home-base decision compresses the company’s brand philosophy and the volleyball team’s vision into 3 elements arranged vertically.

An infinity symbol was placed at the top to represent the connection and expansion the company pursues, while a volleyball was added at the bottom to symbolise the will to run the team and a new challenge. In the centre, a “SOOPers” wordmark shaped like a volleyball court and net visualises the connection among the company, the club and fans through volleyball.

Min Hyung-bae (민형배), mayor of Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, said confirming the SOOP volleyball team’s home base was a meaningful step that opens a new chapter in local sports alongside the launch of the integrated special city. He said linking the cultural, sports and content capabilities of South Jeolla and Gwangju could create a new force for growth. He added he hopes for support so the team can grow into a representative professional sports club that energises citizens’ lives and helps shape the region’s future.

Lee Byung-ho (이병호), head of SOOP SOOPers, said Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City is the most important foundation for growing with fans. He said the club will continue various activities so it can communicate closely with the region and become a beloved team, and will work to bring new energy to the area through volleyball.

SOOP SOOPers completed the appointment of coach Kim Se-jin (김세진) along with approval to join the Korea Volleyball Federation (KOVO) last June. It has since signed foreign player Audriana Fitzmorris, Asian quota player Izu Xue and unrestricted free agents Jeon Sae-yan and Song Eun-chae as it prepares for its first season.