ECNL Class of 2017 College-Bound Athletes Sets New Standard
RICHMOND, VA (February 1, 2017) – Today, while players across the country sign their National Letters of Intent (NLI) to continue their soccer careers in college, the 2017 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 graduating seniors from the ECNL will go on to play soccer at the collegiate level this fall, with 1,059 in NCAA Division I programs alone.
“The unparalleled number of ECNL players continuing their playing careers beyond club soccer speaks to the level of play in the league, and the increased quality of youth development from the member clubs and coaches in the league” said Jen Winnagle, Commissioner, Elite Clubs National League. “ECNL athletes have raised the standards in youth soccer, and they will continue to raise standards in the game 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 8th year of the league, ECNL graduates are even beginning to impact the NWSL professional league, as documented by the 75% of the 2017 NWSL draftees being ECNL Alum.
The class of 2017 is comprised of Amazing Young Women who will be playing at multiple collegiate soccer levels:
- ECNL Class of 2017: 1,671
- Total Players Playing Collegiate Soccer: 1,409
- Division I: 1,059
- Division II, III, NAIA & Other: 350
- Undecided: 244
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 2017 in full, click here.
*Information above is based on individual member club submissions as of January 31, 2017.
*Information was updated as of February 9, 2017.
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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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