Elite Clubs National League
Raising standards across 450
clubs with the ECNL
We’ve partnered with the ECNL to maximise the impact of coaching, with a dedicated online learning platform and in-depth programs built around specialised topics.
The ECNL (Elite Clubs National League) is one of the leading competitions in American youth soccer.
Its drive to elevate coaching across its network is part of its goal to deliver the best youth sports experience in the world.
Across 450 clubs and more than 8,000 coaches, the ambition was clear: deliver consistent, measurable standards that would raise the experience of every player in the league.
The breadth of our offering – spanning online learning, session-planning tools, specialist courses and experiential education – enables Coaches’ Voice to bring ECNL’s ambitious vision for coach education to life.
8,000 coaches. 40,000+ hours. One shared standard
Every ECNL club now has its own branded Education Center, a dedicated online learning environment tailored to its coaches.
It includes structured age- and level-specific learning pathways and access to the full Coaches’ Voice content and session library.
And, crucially, there is a minimum standard: every coach must complete at least five hours of learning per year. This formalises the ECNL’s commitment to raising the bar across the entire league.
The impact has been significant: 98% completion rate, with 80% of coaches going on to complete further learning modules.
Today, 8,000+ ECNL coaches operate within a shared development framework, driving greater consistency in training environments nationwide.
Deepening expertise in youth development
Youth development is central to the ECNL pathway. To strengthen that foundation, Coaches’ Voice School has launched a series of ECNL advanced learning courses, beginning with the Expert in Youth Soccer Diploma.
The diploma blends youth-development theory, age-specific methodology and practical training design. It gives coaches clarity, structure and confidence in their approach.
Further ECNL diplomas are already in development, with Scouting & Analysis next to launch, continuing to deepen technical expertise across the league.
Learning on a global stage
Raising standards requires learning beyond your own environment. In 2025, ECNL coaches travelled with Coaches’ Voice Tours to Barcelona for the league’s first international education experience, observing methodology and culture inside elite academies including RCD Espanyol, Girona FC and FC Barcelona.
In May 2026, Everton’s Finch Farm will host the first ECNL International Tournament, where eight leading ECNL boys’ and girls’ teams will face elite British opposition, including Chelsea, Everton, Leeds, Rangers, Wrexham and the Wales national team.
Players compete and learn against top opposition. Coaches observe, compare and refine their approach in an elite environment. It’s all part of a continuous learning journey to maximise the impact of coaching.
