MISSION, Kan. (Jan. 15, 2004) – The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and US Club Soccer have entered into an agreement that includes the development of a coaching education and certification program addressing the issues that face soccer clubs in the United States.

“This agreement brings together two organizations with a common mission: improving soccer coaches and soccer players in the United States,” said NSCAA President Janet Rayfield, women’s coach at the University of Illinois. “We are honored that the leadership of US Club Soccer values our educational expertise and look forward to working with them to meet the challenges facing club soccer.”

“This agreement is a major step for both our organizations”, said US Club Soccer Executive Director William Sage. “The primary mission for US Club Soccer is to assist competitive club soccer in growing and improving their programs.  With the NSCAA as the recognized leader in soccer coaching education, this partnership will help our member clubs identify the challenges that exist and develop ways to meet those challenges.”

Under the terms of the agreement, the two organizations will create a committee to develop courses that address coaching education and club development, with NSCAA taking the lead on course requirements and US Club Soccer developing a course certification program.  Programs under development include a certification program for club directors of coaching, and a club criteria program that identifies the key organization and technical elements to which all clubs should aspire.

In addition, US Club Soccer will promote NSCAA membership within its organization and will become more closely involved with the annual NSCAA Convention. That involvement will include providing presenters for the educational program and holding the annual US Club Soccer business meeting in conjunction with the NSCAA Convention. The two organizations will engage in cross-promotional opportunities to increase awareness of the other’s association within their respective memberships.

The NSCAA is the world's largest soccer coaches’ organization.  Founded in 1941 and based in Mission, Kan., the NSCAA has more than 17,000 members dedicated to coaching education, as well as recognizing achievement in soccer. Held each year in January, the NSCAA Convention is The World's Largest Annual Gathering of Soccer Coaches. The NSCAA’s coaching education program offers a broad range of courses that education more than 3,000 soccer coaches each year.  It’s extensive coaches recognition program includes national college and high school rankings, All-America teams at the college, high school and youth levels, presenting nearly 10,000 individual awards each year.

US Club Soccer is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop competitive club soccer in the United States.  It has been a member of the United States Soccer Federation since July 2001, and has grown to over 600 members in 44 states.  In addition to sanctioning tournaments, leagues, and other competitions and conducting a range of programs for it’s members, it annually conducts the US Club Soccer National Cup, for member teams from U12 to U17, boy’s and girl’s, in two competitive groups.  The Cup Regionals are held in June, and the Finals in late July.  US Club Soccer is also launching its own player identification and development program in the summer of 2004.