Girls ECNL Expands to Include the U13 Division

RICHMOND, VA (May 7, 2017) – The Girls Elite Clubs National League is excited to announce that, beginning in the 2017-18 season, the ECNL will host a U13 division of regular-season competition for players born in 2005.  Based on the overwhelming interest shown by ECNL Member Clubs across the country, the U13 age group will become the sixth age group of formal ECNL competition, providing a player pathway from U13 – U19.

Member Clubs will have the option to enter their U13 team into the competition, based on the development needs of the players within their club.  Participating clubs will compete in regular season conference competition in a similar format to the U14 age group, and will have the option to participate in an ECNL National Event.

“Reflecting our mission to serve the needs and desires of clubs, we felt that the time was right to add the U13 age group as an optional program within the ECNL,” said ECNL Commissioner Jen Winnagle.  “These players will get a chance to experience the quality of competition and excitement of the ECNL a year earlier, and we hope that the opportunity will inspire them to raise their bar in training and to work harder to become the best players they can be.”

This age group expansion also helps bring a better development model to this age group of players, with high quality games throughout the year and a closer connection to the older age groups in the club.

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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 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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