US Club Soccer joins iSoccer, NSCAA to support the National Standards Project
The National Standards Project Web site | iSoccer Web site
NSCAA Web site
CHARLESTON, S.C. (June 1, 2010) – US Club Soccer has partnered with iSoccer and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) to support the National Standards Project, which aims to establish a technical baseline for players of all ages in order to raise the level of soccer in the United States.
The goal of the National Standards Project is to reach one million assessments by Nov. 30, 2010. Different training topics such as juggling, dribbling and passing will be featured over the summer and fall to accomplish this goal. In addition, October 2010 will be National Standards Testing Month. The results of the project will be released at the 2011 NSCAA Convention to be held in January in Baltimore, Md.
US Club Soccer will serve as the Official Player Development Partner of the National Standards Project. As such, US Club Soccer will sponsor player upgrades for specific premium content in the coming months, including full access to training videos for each featured topic leading up to National Standards Testing Month. These upgrades are available to all players on iSoccer, regardless of affiliation.
The organization will continue to look at expanded partnership opportunities that further benefit members.
Additionally, iSoccer and the National Standards Project will have an on-site presence at multiple US Club Soccer events. These include the National Cup IX Finals/National Collegiate Showcase held in Virginia Beach, Va., July 24-27 for girls and July 30-Aug. 2 for boys, as well as all three 2010 id2 Regional Training Camps, which will be held in the fall and winter.
“For more years than I care to admit, I have advocated the need for improved technical ability in our players as the number one priority in American soccer,” said Phil Wright, Chairman of US Club Soccer’s Board of Directors. “Often the first step in improving anything, whether in sport or in business, is to assess the current 'status quo.' This joint venture between iSoccer, the NSCAA and US Club Soccer will provide that critical first step. Perhaps equally important is the fact that I have put players through the iSoccer program and they have thoroughly enjoyed the testing process and seeing their individual improvement over time. Anything that gets our players training on individual skills in addition to their regularly-scheduled practices is essential to improving their overall technical ability."
The NSCAA will serve as the Official Coaching Education Partner of the National Standards Project. This partnership builds upon US Club Soccer’s strong relationship with the NSCAA. Together, the organizations jointly offer NSCAA/US Club Soccer Director of Coaching Diploma Courses which examine the technical, conceptual, leadership and administrative skills of future and current Directors of Coaching for youth soccer clubs for the purpose of developing the youth soccer player.
“We are very excited to have the NSCAA and US Club Soccer join the National Standards Project,” said Scott Leber, iSoccer Founder and CEO. “Both organizations share a commitment to raising the level of soccer in the United States and we look forward to working collectively toward that goal.”
About US Club Soccer:
US Club Soccer is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop competitive club soccer in the United States. A member of the United States Soccer Federation since July 2001, US Club Soccer has grown to include member clubs and leagues in 50 states. In addition to sanctioning and administering tournaments, leagues and other competitions as well as offering a range of programs for its members, US Club Soccer annually conducts the National Cup and the National Collegiate Showcase. US Club Soccer also directs its own player identification and development program – id2.
About iSoccer:
iSoccer is an award-winning online training and coaching platform that provides players, coaches and clubs with the tools and motivation to improve the technical ability of youth soccer players. Players, teams and clubs are able to assess their current level using the proprietary iSoccer Assessment, analyze their strengths and weaknesses using sophisticated tracking tools, target their training with a customized practice session builder and download over 500+ iPod ready video clips to help raise their technical level through self-guided training.
About the NSCAA:
Based in Kansas City, Kan., the NSCAA is the largest coaches' organization in the United States. Since its founding in 1941, it has grown to include more than 30,000 members who coach both genders at all levels of the sport. In addition to a national rankings program for colleges and high schools, NSCAA offers an extensive recognition program that presents nearly 10,000 individual awards every year. It fulfills its mission of coaching education through a nationwide program of clinics and week-long courses, teaching more than 6,000 soccer coaches each year.
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