ECNL FAQ

WHAT IS ELITE CLUBS NATIONAL LEAGUE (ECNL?)

The Elite Clubs National League, Inc. is a 501 c(3) non-profit member-based organization founded in 2009 to enhance the developmental experience of male and female youth soccer players in the United States. The goal of the ECNL is to change the landscape for elite male and female soccer players in the United States through innovated, player-centered programming and to enhance the overall experience by creating a better, more enjoyable, and more successful player, coach, and club developmental model.

WHY ECNL?

ECNL provides one of the best male and female youth leagues in the world.  The ECNL provides the structure, competition, and showcase events that allow our players to develop into collegiate level athletes.  Our current structure plus the ECNL enables us to continue to develop elite level players in the clearest and most efficient way.  The ECNL will continue to help us graduate players who will go on to play at some of the best colleges in the country.

WHAT IS ELITE ACADEMY'S VISION WITH ITS ECNL PROGRAM?

Our vision is to provide a program offering the most comprehensive player and team developmental environment that will unite our community, inspire our players, and achieve excellence.  Our approach is to provide the best training and playing environment for ALL of our players.  
 
The training program mimic the college schedule:  

  1. Competitive fall,
  2. Lighter winter,
  3. Technical development focus in the spring
  4. Fitness focused in the summer.

HOW MUCH IS IT TO PLAY ON BRYC ECNL TEAMS?

The ECNL fee structure is reviewed annually. The fee structure incorporates travel, lodging, referee costs & field usage under one fee.  All additional costs are itemized and announced prior to each season commencing.

CAN ECNL TEAMS HAVE GUEST PLAYERS?

Only players from within BRYC Elite Academy can be added to an ECNL roster for a BRYC Elite Academy ECNL team.  Players will be added based on their performance, ability and opportunity within the ECNL teams.  Once these players are pulled into the ECNL Team for any event or game, they will remain on the roster and can play in any future ECNL events and games.

WHAT ABOUT PREDETERMINED PLAYING TIME?

ECNL is the highest level of play for youth soccer. Playing time cannot be predetermined or guaranteed for any player.  Player personnel choices and playing time are based on each player’s ability, attitude, and game circumstances.  However, ALL players selected for an ECNL team at tryouts have been selected as they have shown they can contribute to the team playing at this level and through the course of the season players will receive ample opportunities to perform and play.

HOW LONG ARE THE GAMES?

Game lengths per age group are:

  1. U13 games consist of two 35-minute halves – 70-minute games.
  2. U14, U15, U16 games consist of 40-minute halves – 80-minute games.
  3. U17, U19, and Composite games consist of two 45-minute halves – 90-minute games.

WHY DO WE HAVE TO TRAVEL SO FAR?

As the competition increases, teams have to travel to play the best competition. BRYC Elite Academy select events based on our location, club soccer season, and VA high school season.  Events attended can rotate each year at the discretion of the ECNL Director and team coach; for the benefit of each team.

WHY DO ECNL PLAYERS TRAVEL AS TEAMS?

The purpose is to provide the players a college-like environment and experience which will benefit them when they move on to the college level and additionally will limit the costs incurred by each ECNL team member and family.  Our intention is to introduce the players to all aspects of college play the elite youth soccer level.
 

IS THERE FUNDRAISING FOR THE ECNL PROGRAM? 

BRYC Elite Academy will be initiating fundraisers throughout the year for ALL Programs starting in 2020-2021 season; ALL money raised is applied to their respective program costs for the 2020-2021 season.

HOW OFTEN DO BRYC ENCL TEAMS TRAVEL?

Playing on a BRYC Elite Academy ECNL team requires significant commitment. Teams travel approximately 4-6 times per year with mostly regional travel and some national travel.

CAN MY CHILD PLAY ODP IF THEY MAKE ECNL?

The ECNL does not impose restrictions on players to prevent them from participating in any other identification program. Many players that participate in the ECNL may participate in USYS, ODP or other identification programs, and some players that participate in the ECNL will not participate in USYS, ODP or other identification programs.  These choices will be made by individual players according to their own interest and desires.

CAN I PLAY FOR ECNL & MY HIGH SCHOOL TEAM?

Yes, BRYC Elite Academy ECNL players can play on their high school teams. ECNL games and showcase events will precedence over other activities when there is a scheduling conflict.


CAN I PLAY FOR ECNL AND PLAY OTHER SPORTS?

U13 through U19 BRYC Elite Academy ECNL players may participate in other sports. However, understand that due to the required commitment to training, games, and ECNL Showcases, BRYC Elite Academy must be the priority. This ECNL rule is subject for approval by the ECNL Director.