RICHMOND, VA (April 15, 2020) – The Elite Clubs National League Girls is excited to announce that the San Diego Surf and Real So Cal will be joining the ECNL Girls in 2020-2021.   For more than a decade, the ECNL has supported the nation’s leading youth players to compete at the highest level while supporting the development of their players based on the specific needs of their players, teams and culture.

“We are tremendously excited to welcome the Surf and Real So Cal back to the league,” said ECNL Girls Commissioner Jen Winnagle. “The addition of these clubs helps to continue to unify the top programs in the region in one competition.  It reduces travel demands for everyone, with more clubs aligning with the philosophies and values of the ECNL.”  

San Diego Surf was founded in 1977 and has won 11 National Championships in its history.  “With its elite competition and focus on empowering youth athletes on and off the field, the ECNL provides extensive college exposure and a fantastic environment for players,” said Director of Coaching Rob Becerra. “Surf’s mission is to provide the best opportunities and experiences for our players and we are honored to compete in the best girls league in the nation.”

Real So Cal was founded in 2000 and has won six National Championships since its inception.  “Real So Cal is extremely excited to be a part of the ECNL Girls,” said Director Alberto Bru.  “The ECNL offers our players the opportunity to play against the best clubs in the country, compete in front of college coaches and aspire to a National Championship.”

Nearly 90% of ECNL Girls alumni move on to play in college, overwhelmingly dominating the 2019 individual conference honors in the “Power 5” conferences.  In total, over 1,100 ECNL Alums played this year in these five conferences, accounting for more than 62% of all rostered players in the Power 5.

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About Elite Clubs National League Girls: The Elite Clubs National League Girls (ECNL Girls) was founded in 2009 to enhance the developmental experience of female youth soccer players in the United States through: (i) improving the competitive environment through creation of a true national competitive league; (ii) improving the process for identifying elite female soccer players through a systematic scouting and identification program based on national competitions; and (iii) improving the daily training environment at top female youth soccer clubs through developing best practices and training and organizational guidelines for its member clubs. The ECNL Girls is sanctioned by US Club Soccer and is sponsored by Nike Soccer.

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