ECNL kicks off 2012-13 National Event Series in Arizona
PHOENIX, AZ (September 26, 2012): Elite Clubs National League gets its 2012-13 campaign underway in earnest this weekend, as nearly 140 teams representing dozens of member clubs from across the United States gather in the “Valley of the Sun” for the league’s first National Event of the season.
“The Phoenix region played host to a fantastic National Event a year ago. We can’t wait to kick off another great weekend of quality soccer,” said ECNL Commissioner Sarah Kate Noftsinger. “Our league continues improve and evolve, I have no doubt that this season will be our best yet.”
Only three years old, but already recognized as the home of the top girls’ soccer clubs in the U.S., ECNL is a club-centered competition for top girls’ teams in the Under-14, U-15, U-16, U-17 and U-18 age groups. The league holds five national events throughout its eight-month regular season, leading up to the ECNL Finals next summer.
This weekend’s action will take place from Saturday through Monday at the Reach 11 Sports Complex and Scottsdale Sports Complex.
Each ECNL National Event provides top-tier competition and unparalleled exposure to hundreds of college coaches from across the nation, while host communities gain upwards of 3,000 hotel room nights and an estimated $3-4 million in direct economic impact. Teams in the U-15 and U-18 age groups participate in two national events, while each team at the U-16 and U-17 age groups participates in three of these events.
The ECNL has added seven new member clubs this season and further fine-tuned its competition platform in an ongoing mission to provide the best developmental environment for elite female soccer players across the nation.
The 2012-13 National Event Series kicks off in Phoenix, continues in Sanford, Fla. in December, resumes in Frisco, Tx. in February, moves on to San Diego in April and concludes at the Players Development Academy’s showcase tournament in Zarephath, N.J. in May. The ECNL postseason begins with the National Play-off in Aurora, Colo. in June.
A very high standard of play is the norm at ECNL National. ECNL typically welcomes upwards of 300 college recruiters at each event, and scouts from U.S. Soccer are also in attendance, to identify and evaluate players for possible inclusion in United States youth national teams.
Learn more at the official website of the ECNL National Event: Phoenix.
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ABOUT THE ECNL: The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) is a registered 501(c)3 tax-exempt, non-profit organization. The ECNL was founded in 2009 to enhance the developmental experience of female youth soccer players in the United States. ECNL seeks to improve the competitive environment through the creation of a true national competitive league with multiple flights, augmented by a systematic scouting and identification program and an improved daily training environment at top female youth soccer clubs. The goal of the ECNL is to change the landscape for elite female soccer players in the United States through innovative, player-centered programming and to enhance the overall experience by creating a better, more enjoyable, and more successful player, coach, and club development model. Follow ECNL on Twitter @theECNLand Facebook: Elite Clubs National League. Visit the official ECNL website for more information: http://www.ecnlgirls.com. The ECNL is sanctioned by US Club Soccer and sponsored by Nike.