Our 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007/06 ECNL teams finished the Fall season at the ECNL National Showcase in Phoenix, Arizona. Attending a national event like the ECNL Showcase provides a great opportunity for all stakeholders in the club – players, parents, coaches, technical and administrative staff - to experience the club culture and to live the club values while competing on the national stage. All four teams traveled together to and from the event, stayed in the same hotel and learned valuable lessons throughout the trip both on and off the field. The focus on player development was evident from the very first day at the event. Despite a very early flight to Phoenix, all four teams started the trip with a light training session that was followed by a review of the Club’s Individual Development Plan (IDP) program for the club’s ECNL players in the hotel’s conference room led by me, the Club’s Sporting Director. After a study hall and team dinners, the players had an early curfew to ensure they are fully rested for their first ECNL games the next day.
The first day highlighted the steady improvement that the club has been making since the start of the season finishing the day with 3 wins and 1 loss. Overall, the showcase proved a tremendous success for the SF Elite ECNL teams who finished the event with an overall winning record and outstanding performances from all four teams. The club’s U19 team led the way with 3 wins in 3 games while dominating their opponents in all aspects of the game and setting an excellent example for the younger teams to follow. While we are proud of the club’s winning record at the ECNL Showcase, what is more impressive is that it was achieved while staying true to the club’s focus on player development and ensuring that each player who traveled to the Showcase played at least 50% of the total playing time at the event. Maximizing development opportunities for all players on the team through meaningful playing time at an ECNL National event and allowing all players to fully experience the intensity of the national competition is a unique player experience that separates SF Elite from other clubs in the area.
Another highlight of the ECNL National Showcase were numerous college coaches in attendance at the event, providing SF Elite ECNL players the necessary exposure to showcase their talents and be recruited to play in college. Over 200 College coaches from across the country were in attendance at the ECNL Showcase and some of them have already started reaching out to our players and coaches expressing strong interest in the SF Elite players.
Building on this great experience, our 2009 and 2008 ECNL teams are already looking forward to their Spring ECNL Showcases in Austin, Texas and Richmond, Virginia respectively.