Mountain Developmental League becomes the newest addition to the National Premier Leagues
CHARLESTON, S.C. (June 12, 2012) – US Club Soccer has announced the creation of the Mountain Developmental League as the newest addition to the organization’s National Premier Leagues (NPL). The Mountain Developmental League is the fifth NPL added this spring, increasing the total number of National Premier Leagues to 17 all across the United States.
The NPL has been created to provide a unified, league-based national developmental platform with the highest level of competition in given geographic areas, and to elevate and change the competitive youth soccer landscape based upon fundamental principles outlined in US Club Soccer’s 10-year vision.
Set to kick off in fall 2012 with U-13 through U-17 boys divisions, the Mountain Developmental League will include 12 member clubs from Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico:
• Arsenal Colorado (Colo.)
• Blackhawks (Ariz.)
• Colorado Rush (Colo.)
• Colorado Storm (Colo.)
• FC Boulder (Colo.)
• Gilbert SC (Ariz.)
• New Mexico Rush (N.M.)
• Pride Soccer Club (Colo.)
• Real Colorado (Colo.)
• Rio SC (N.M.)
• SC Del Sol (Ariz.)
• Sereno SC (Ariz.)
“Colorado Rush is extremely excited to be part of the Mountain Developmental League,” said Colorado Rush SC Director of Coaching Wes Hart. “The landscape of youth soccer has changed drastically over the past few years and we believe that the NPL is another positive step in helping our sport grow.”
“Rio Soccer Club is excited about the opportunity to participate in the Mountain Developmental League,” said Chris Cartlidge, Director of Coaching at Rio SC (formerly Rio Vista FC). “The participating clubs have a track record of developing quality teams and players. NPL affiliation will enhance the diversity and the quality of our competitive games and we are looking forward to this outstanding developmental opportunity for our membership.”
The Mountain Developmental League will be split into two geographical divisions: the Colorado Division and the Southwest Division. Competition will include regular-season games within each division with top teams advancing to the Mountain Developmental League Playoffs. Winners at that event will then qualify for the 2013 NPL Champions Cup.
For more information on the Mountain Developmental League, please contact NPL General Manager Chris Baer at cbaer@usclubsoccer.org or (614) 783-2237.
| ABOUT THE NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUES: |
US Club Soccer’s National Premier Leagues have been created to provide a national competitive developmental platform:
• focused on long-term player development;
• for the country’s top soccer clubs, allowing consistent, meaningful high-level games appropriately scheduled with higher training-to-game ratios;
• that allows players to be scouted and evaluated by U.S. Soccer National Staff and Technical Advisors;
• that is designed and structured by the clubs, based on the needs of the clubs;
• using international rules of competition;
• that provides an avenue for qualification for the NPL Champions Cup.
The NPL is an important component of US Club Soccer’s 10-year vision to refine the landscape for competitive youth soccer. This vision recognizes that:
• properly-structured youth soccer clubs are the vehicle through which player development does and must occur in the United States.
• clubs should play in leagues that provide meaningful games, allow establishment of the proper training-to-game ratio, and eliminate calendar congestion.
• National Premier Leagues, as well as the best clubs, should be integrated in US Club Soccer’s id2 National Identification and Development Program, include Player Development Programs (PDPs) in select local markets, and work closely with U.S. Soccer staff regarding player identification, and player and coach development.
| ABOUT US CLUB SOCCER: |
US Club Soccer is a non-profit organization committed to the development and support of soccer clubs and players in the United States. A National Association member of the U.S. Soccer Federation, US Club Soccer maximizes flexibility and offers youth and adult player and staff registration, integrated competition platforms at the recreational and competitive levels, as well as a a variety of other programming, including the Olympic Developmen Program-sanctioned id2 National Player Identification and Development Program.
Unique to US Club Soccer is the ability of member clubs to unite youth and adult programs within one organization, creating a “members for life” culture within each club.