Twelve new girls clubs added to Elite Clubs National League, plans for more

The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) has announced the twelve new member clubs that will be joining their one-year-old league for the 2010-11 seasonal year. The twelve were selected from nearly 60 clubs that applied for membership - the first such year that new memberships were accepted after the league was formed in 2009.

Each of the new clubs voted in by a majority vote of the 40-member league were the same 12 recommended by the ECNL Board of Directors after an extensive review of all applicants. The exact votes were not revealed, but under league rules any of the applicant clubs could have been voted in had at least 21 existing member clubs voted for them. With the addition the new clubs bringing the total to 52, that simple majority total, where each member club gets one vote, will be an even higher threshold to reach for hopeful new clubs in future years.

The new clubs are:
Carmel United (Indiana)
DeAnza Force (California)
FC Bucks (Pennsylvania)
KCFC (Kansas)
Michigan Hawks (Michigan)
Real So Cal (California)
San Diego Surf (California)
Scorpions SC (Massachusetts)
Slammers FC (California)
Utah Avalanche (Utah)
Varder (Michigan)
Washington Premier F.C. (Washington)

The ECNL says acceptance decisions were based on long-term club history in female soccer, long-term history in development of female soccer players, club leadership and management structure, and geographical considerations.

“There were many very good clubs that applied for membership that were not accepted this year,” said ECNL President Christian Lavers. “Several of these clubs will almost certainly be a part of the ECNL in the near future, and many more may be a part of the long-term future of the ECNL. Likewise, we expect that other new clubs will emerge in the coming years that will continue to raise the level of the league.”

This is the first year of expansion of the ECNL, a two-year process the league claims is necessary to enable a regional and national competition in a 25- to 30-game schedule. At that point, it is doubtful most member clubs would have the available game dates to participate in other national or regional competitions.

After next year's expansion, unless the membership agrees to increase the overall size of the league, any new clubs entering the league would come via replacement of clubs that either choose not to renew their membership, or are voted out of the league by the membership as a result of poor performance - otherwise known as "relegation". It is also possible for clubs to be voted out for violation of major rules, such as player eligibility or failing to attend mandatory events.

“The Michigan Hawks Soccer Club is thrilled to be among the clubs invited to join this league and is looking forward to the challenge of competing against the nation's best,” said Brian Doyle, Director of Coaching for Michigan Hawks, “The ECNL will provide our players with a national stage to showcase their ability and prepare them to transition seamlessly into the college ranks”

Walid Khoury, Director of Coaching for fellow new entrant Slammers FC added, “The primary reason in joining the ECNL is the quality of the events and the clubs that are in the ECNL. We are really excited for our teams to play in the ECNL-scheduled events and have our teams compete against the best teams in the country. I always believed to be the best you have to play the best.”

“We are all very excited about the new member clubs that will join us next year,” said ECNL Vice President Doug Bracken. “We look forward to continuing to make the ECNL the best league for elite youth girls that this country has to offer. It is certain that these new member clubs will only enhance the overall experience for all of our players, and that they will help the ECNL to continue leading change, growth and development in female youth soccer.”

Attention now returns to the remainder of the ECNL's inaugural season. Two event weekends - Las Vegas and PDA - remain for the 40 clubs to complete their 9-game regular season schedule, followed by the leagues first annual National Championships and placement event in July.

An announcement relating to the 2010-11 ECNL regular-season events will be made in late March, but the league has already announced plans to expand to include the under-18 age group, as well as add three regional games for the under-15 through under-17 age groups, bringing their regular season total to 12 games, plus the 2011 National Championship event.