ECNL Class of 2016 College-Bound Athletes Sets New Standard
RICHMOND, VA (February 9, 2016) – Last week, while players across the country signed their National Letters of Intent (NLI) to continue their soccer careers in college, the 2016 graduating class of the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) showed why the ECNL is the top youth female development platform in the world. More than 1,300 of the graduating seniors in the ECNL will go on to play soccer at the collegiate level this fall, with 969 alone in NCAA Division I programs.
“The unrivaled number of ECNL players continuing their playing careers speaks to the level of play in the league, and the great development provided by the clubs and coaches in the league” said Jen Woodie, Acting Commissioner, Elite Clubs National League. “ECNL athletes have raised the standards in youth soccer, and they are raising the standards as they continue their careers in college and beyond.”
The ECNL is the top female youth development platform in the world, elevating female soccer across the country in competition, player development, coaching, and more. The ECNL College Impact shows that the number of ECNL alums playing soccer in college has increased year after year. Now in the 7th year of the league, ECNL graduates are even beginning to impact the NWSL professional league and the full women’s national team.
The class of 2016 is comprised of Amazing Young Women who will be playing at multiple collegiate soccer levels:
- ECNL Class of 2016: 1,346
- College Bound ECNL: 1,239
- Total Players Playing Collegiate Soccer: 1,224
- Division I: 969
- Division II, III, NAIA: 266
- Undecided: 111
Beyond its impact on the field, the ECNL’s holistic programs Amazing Young Women, S’Heroes, and The Zone, are preparing ECNL athletes to be the future leaders of tomorrow.
To view the college bound ECNL Class of 2016 in full, click here.
*Information above is based on individual member club submissions as of February 1, 2016.
*Information was updated as of February 10, 2016.
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About Amazing Young WomenTM: Launched by the ECNL, the Amazing Young Women is a dynamic platform of online and local market activations that showcase and celebrate female role models offering an aspirational focus for all female athletes and teens as they prepare to be our next generation of leaders. The ECNL is calling on all of the nation’s women to join the movement to celebrate the endless potential of today’s girls.
Women of all ages can share their personal moments of inspiration through social media and at www.AmazingYoungWomen.com. Every share and submission helps drive a movement that celebrates the power of what it is to be a girl today. Each month Amazing Young Women of the ECNL will be chosen from online submissions and social engagement to be showcased at AmazingYoungWomen.com. Through testimonials, tips and tools, the website is providing all girls to view, share, and celebrate what it is to be motivated, strong, and successful.
About Elite Clubs National League: The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) was founded in 2009 to enhance the developmental experience of female youth soccer players in the United States through: (i) improving the competitive environment through creation of a true national competitive league; (ii) improving the process for identifying elite female soccer players for college and youth national teams through a systematic scouting and identification program based on national competitions; and (iii) improving the daily training environment at top female youth soccer clubs through developing best practices and training and organizational guidelines for its member clubs. The ECNL is sanctioned by US Club Soccer and is sponsored by Nike Soccer.
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