RICHMOND, VA (December 19, 2011): Applications are currently being accepted for clubs interested in becoming ECNL Member Clubs for the 2012-2013 season. The application period will remain open until January 15, 2012.

For more information regarding the application process, please download the 2012-2013 ECNL New Membership Application.  

Founded in 2009 with 40 member clubs, the ECNL now includes 66 of the top girls' soccer clubs throughout the country competing in the nation’s toughest girls youth soccer league. In addition to the unmatched competition in the ECNL, players in ECNL Member Clubs also have access to a no-cost scouting and player identification program based on scouting at ECNL competitions and events, as well as training camps offered throughout the country for selected players. New in 2011-2012, ECNL coaches are also provided with unique coaching education and development workshops and seminars at ECNL events. 

In 2011-2012, the ECNL competition is being played in 5 age groups, from U14 – U18.  Participation in the ECNL provides enhanced player development opportunities by providing consistent competition against the nation’s top female players, and allowing a significantly improved training-to-game ratio for players. Finally, the ECNL National Showcases are the most heavily scouted events in the country by college soccer coaches, providing unmatched exposure and opportunity for participating players.  

“We are very excited about the future of the ECNL,” said Sarah Kate Noftsinger, ECNL Commissioner. “The growth of the ECNL in both programming and in member clubs over the past 2 years has been careful but significant, and the next steps in this process will continue to emphasize improving the overall experience for elite female soccer players across the country.”

"The ECNL holds the participating clubs to high standards in many areas, and we are always looking to find new clubs with the right qualities that want to join this movement," said Christian Lavers, ECNL President.  “There is no better platform in the country for technical leaders in the youth girls game to come together to create innovative programs that improve the player experience and provide more opportunity.”

"Membership in the ECNL provides clubs with one program that addresses three of the most important components of youth soccer: a top level competition schedule, an integrated player identification process, and a coaching education and club development program," said ECNL Vice President Doug Bracken. "By using the resources and ideas of all the participating clubs in this process, the ECNL is helping clubs and players improve every year faster than ever before."

2012-12 ECNL New Membership Applications will be accepted through January 15, and new members will be announced in February.

About the ECNL: The ECNL is a non-profit national youth soccer league founded in 2009 to provide the best possible developmental environment for American female youth soccer players through the creation of the highest level of national competition and an identification and development program to provide an avenue for players to participate in U.S. Soccer’s National Teams. The 2011-12 season is the ECNL’s third season. Each of the 66 member clubs in 2011-12 field a team in the U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17 and U-18 age groups, each competing for the ECNL National Championship, the ECNL National Club Championship and promotion and relegation between flights.   The ECNL is sanctioned by US Club Soccer and sponsored by Nike.