FRISCO, Texas (Nov. 13, 2024) – US Youth Soccer has joined Women and Girls in Soccer, US Club Soccer, and U.S. Soccer’s SheChampions Coaching Initiative – three other national soccer organizations/initiatives – in a collaborative effort to increase the number of women in leadership roles across the soccer landscape.
Together, the four are hosting the first-ever all-female entry-level course for the Club Technical Leadership Pathway (CTL1). The CTL1, formerly known as the Director of Coaching License course, is a course that helps club technical leaders understand their role connected to their club’s mission, values and principles, to begin developing competencies as technical leaders.
The first course, which is blended with in-person and virtual components, begins January 22, 2025, and progresses through the end of April. The in-person portion will be held at the U.S. Olympic Performance Center on the campus of UNC Charlotte in North Carolina from January 30-February 2.
This trailblazing initiative covers participants’ course expenses, travel fees and meals. Interested coaches must complete an application for review. The review committee is comprised of individuals affiliated with the four co-hosting organizations, and the selected applicants will be invited to register for the course in the U.S. Soccer Learning Center.
Applicants with a ‘B’ license will meet the qualifications for this course. U.S. Soccer can waive that requirement for coaches who meet the following standards:
- Is a ‘C’ license holder and has five years of technical leadership experience.
- Is in a current technical leadership role within a club OR can provide a letter from a club/league stating that the student technical leader has been identified for a current or future role within the club.
Information on how to apply for a waiver can be found here. The application deadline is December 6, 2024, and all accepted applicants will be notified by December 20. Once accepted, coaches will have until December 30 to register for the course.
Additional program information is provided within the application, which can be reviewed and completed here. For any further questions, please contact Dr. Sari Rose, USYS’ Senior Manager of Grassroots.
— USYS —
About Women and Girls in Soccer
Women and Girls in Soccer (WAGS) is a charitable organization with a mission of empowering girls and women – from all over the world – through soccer. They support five unique programs just for girls and women in soccer that promote confidence, strength, character and leadership in a variety of ways. Their mission is to provide opportunities to sponsor, develop, or provide educational and character-building programs for the benefit of girls and women through teaching and promoting an interest in the game of soccer.
About US Youth Soccer
US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sport organization in the country, is on a mission to provide world-class support, resources, and leadership, helping every member fulfill their goals on and off the field of play. US Youth Soccer registers nearly 2.5 million players annually. Through its programming, resources and leadership, US Youth Soccer is advancing the game for its 54 Member State Associations, 10,000 clubs and leagues and one million administrators, coaches, and volunteers. US Youth Soccer connects families and communities to the power of sports and its shared love of soccer. US Youth Soccer provides a path for every player, coach and referee offering programs that provide a fun, safe and healthy environment at every level of the game.
About US Club Soccer
A National Association member of the U.S. Soccer Federation, US Club Soccer fosters the growth and development of soccer clubs in order to create the best possible environment for players of all ages.
Anchored by Players First and its pillars of Club Development, Coaching Development, Player Development, Referee Development, Parent Engagement & Education and Player Health & Safety, US Club Soccer offers registration, league- and cup-based competition platforms, player identification and a variety of other programming, resources and services.
US Club Soccer is sponsored by Nike, DICK’S Sporting Goods and Gatorade.
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About U.S. Soccer SheChampions
The SheChampions Coaching initiative was developed by U.S. Soccer Coaching Education and former U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Jill Ellis in 2021. U.S. Soccer aims to empower women in coaching across the country as well as inspire the next generation of female players and coaches through critical representation in the sport.