{"id":4454,"date":"2021-03-25T14:01:36","date_gmt":"2021-03-25T18:01:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usclub.gotsportsites.com\/?p=4454"},"modified":"2021-07-27T12:08:07","modified_gmt":"2021-07-27T16:08:07","slug":"nine-new-clubs-welcomed-into-players-first-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/nine-new-clubs-welcomed-into-players-first-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Nine new clubs welcomed into Players First community"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"4454\" class=\"elementor elementor-4454\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-89cd675 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"89cd675\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3ee3fb6\" data-id=\"3ee3fb6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-23b82d2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"23b82d2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-851e213 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"851e213\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d088d2e\" data-id=\"d088d2e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b4fe7fc elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b4fe7fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"243\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Mar_2021__LOGOS_Approved_Clubs__March_2023_Group_large.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4456 lazyload\" alt=\"\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Mar_2021__LOGOS_Approved_Clubs__March_2023_Group_large.png 1024w, https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Mar_2021__LOGOS_Approved_Clubs__March_2023_Group_large-768x292.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"243\" src=\"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Mar_2021__LOGOS_Approved_Clubs__March_2023_Group_large.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4456 lazyload\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Mar_2021__LOGOS_Approved_Clubs__March_2023_Group_large.png 1024w, https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Mar_2021__LOGOS_Approved_Clubs__March_2023_Group_large-768x292.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/noscript>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-786d227 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"786d227\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c49e5cd\" data-id=\"c49e5cd\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d378fe elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4d378fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Nine new clubs welcomed into Players First community<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3ab0fb6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3ab0fb6\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-bc95819\" data-id=\"bc95819\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ea7d18d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ea7d18d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Nine clubs have been approved as new Players First-licensed clubs, joining more than 100 clubs in a movement that has elevated youth soccer standards by bringing the Players First philosophy to 30 states across the country.<\/p><p>Players First licensing is led by a robust application, in which clubs prove their commitment to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usclu\/\">Players First<\/a>, its philosophy and the five pillars: Club Development, Coaching Development, Player Development, Parent Engagement &amp; Education and Player Health &amp; Safety.<\/p><p>When clubs apply to become licensed, they\u2019re extensively reviewed by US Club Soccer. Then, they\u2019re either approved in the same term of which they applied, or their applications remain open for up to six months to allow them to meet any additional requirements necessary for licensing. About one-third of all approved clubs have been accepted after their initial evaluations required them to raise standards.\u00a0<strong>This process \u2013 and the results \u2013 overwhelmingly prove that Players First licensing is elevating standards in youth soccer.<\/strong><\/p><p>Congratulations to these newly licensed Players First clubs:<\/p><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chargerssoccer.com\/\">Chargers Soccer Club<\/a>\u00a0(Clearwater, FL)<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gretnaeliteacademy.com\/\">Gretna Elite Academy<\/a>\u00a0(Gretna, NE)<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kcsgsoccer.org\/\">Kansas City Scott Gallagher<\/a>\u00a0(Lee&#8217;s Summit, MO)<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.keystonefc.com\/\">Keystone FC<\/a>\u00a0(Mechanicsburg, PA)<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mtrainierfc.org\/\">Mt. Rainer FC<\/a>\u00a0(Bonney Lake, WA)<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usclubsoccer.org\/news_article\/show\/%22\">Roseville Youth Soccer Club<\/a>\u00a0(Roseville, CA)<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rushunionsoccer.org\/\">Rush Union Soccer<\/a>\u00a0(Atlanta, GA)<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.soccerchanceacademy.us\/\">Soccer Chance Academy<\/a>\u00a0(Portland, OR)<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/spokanesounders.org\/\">Spokane Sounders<\/a>\u00a0(Spokane Valley, WA)<\/li><\/ul><p>The Players First community is diverse, featuring variations of club infrastructure, levels of national prominence and extending to suburbs, cities and rural areas alike. All these clubs share at least one commonality: the Players First philosophy.<\/p><p>Players First is a branded, holistic club soccer experience for parents and players, which emphasizes the development of each individual to his or her full potential, and helps parents make better choices about where their children should play. All Players First-licensed clubs stand out locally and nationally as improving the club soccer experience.<\/p><p>\u201cWe believe this to be the most rigorous and comprehensive attempt in U.S. Soccer history to identify those clubs that have demonstrated a commitment to creating the kind of infrastructure and culture necessary to provide the best overall environment for players,\u201d said Kevin Payne, US Club Soccer CEO.<\/p><p>In addition to this nationally recognized stamp of approval, these clubs also receive more access and exclusive benefits from Players First partners and resources, numerous features on US Club Soccer digital and social channels, customizable content and more. Because of these added benefits, the additional growth opportunities for these clubs are expansive. All licensed clubs also have access to the annual Players First Summit \u2013 an educational and collaborative experience exclusively for Players First-licensed clubs. The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usclubsoccer.org\/players-first-summit\">inaugural event<\/a>\u00a0was held in December 2019 in Miami Lakes, Florida. The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usclubsoccer.org\/news_article\/show\/1136108\">second annual Players First Summit<\/a>\u00a0was hosted virtually in December 2020.<\/p><p>Details about the licensing process can be found on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usclubsoccer.org\/players-first-licensing\">this web page<\/a>, including the terms and eligibility information. These nine new clubs enjoy Players First licensing status until March 2023, at which time there will be a renewal opportunity. Club applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, and approved clubs are announced quarterly. Clubs that apply but do not meet the standards and requirements outlined in the application all receive a detailed letter explaining any deficiencies with suggestions and resources to correct those.<\/p><p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usclubsoccer.org\/players-first-licensing\">application<\/a>\u00a0includes seven sections, in which clubs must demonstrate their commitment to the Players First pillars:<\/p><ol><li>Club and Applicant Information<\/li><li>Club Leadership Expertise and Development<\/li><li>Staff Education and Development<\/li><li>Player Health and Safety<\/li><li>Training and Competition Structure<\/li><li>Staffing Structure<\/li><li>Parent Education and Engagement<\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-34fcfec elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"34fcfec\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5ea9ef0\" data-id=\"5ea9ef0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-845e0dd elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"845e0dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ac94a0e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ac94a0e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6be2348\" data-id=\"6be2348\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4148610 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4148610\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>ABOUT US CLUB SOCCER:<\/h3><div class=\"text clearfix\"><p>A National Association member of the U.S. Soccer Federation,\u00a0<strong>US Club Soccer<\/strong>\u00a0fosters the growth and development of soccer clubs in order to create the best possible environment for players of all ages.<\/p><p>Anchored by\u00a0<strong>Players First<\/strong>\u00a0and its five pillars of Club Development, Coaching Development, Player Development, Parent Engagement &amp; Education and Player Health &amp; Safety, US Club Soccer offers registration, league- and cup-based competition platforms, player identification and a variety of other programming, resources and services.<\/p><p>US Club Soccer is sponsored by Nike and supported by LaLiga through a technical partnership.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/\">usclubsoccer.org<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/playersfirst\/\">Players First<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/usclubsoccer\">Facebook<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.twitter.com\/usclubsoccer\">Twitter<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/instagram.com\/usclubsoccer\">Instagram<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/usclubsoccer\">YouTube<\/a><\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nine new clubs welcomed into Players First community Nine clubs have been approved as new Players First-licensed clubs, joining more than 100 clubs in a movement that has elevated youth soccer standards by bringing the Players First philosophy to 30<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/nine-new-clubs-welcomed-into-players-first-community\/\"> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":4456,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_header_footer","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[31,32,89],"tags":[],"table_tags":[],"class_list":["post-4454","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home","category-news","category-players-first"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4454","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4454"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4454\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4456"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4454"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4454"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4454"},{"taxonomy":"table_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/table_tags?post=4454"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}