{"id":4558,"date":"2021-03-03T15:09:54","date_gmt":"2021-03-03T19:09:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usclub.gotsportsites.com\/?p=4558"},"modified":"2021-07-27T15:13:02","modified_gmt":"2021-07-27T19:13:02","slug":"players-first-club-spotlight-arkansas-comets-fc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/players-first-club-spotlight-arkansas-comets-fc\/","title":{"rendered":"Players First Club Spotlight: Arkansas Comets FC"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"4558\" class=\"elementor elementor-4558\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fd2133f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fd2133f\" 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-d5bca88\" data-id=\"d5bca88\" 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-ecbd338 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"ecbd338\" 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-8c04376 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8c04376\" 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-66b5c20\" data-id=\"66b5c20\" 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-ffa24e2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ffa24e2\" 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=\"320\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Arkansas_Comets_BLACK_FEATURED_Players_First_Licensed_Club_GFX_-_SEsite_large.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4559 lazyload\" alt=\"\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Arkansas_Comets_BLACK_FEATURED_Players_First_Licensed_Club_GFX_-_SEsite_large.png 1024w, https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Arkansas_Comets_BLACK_FEATURED_Players_First_Licensed_Club_GFX_-_SEsite_large-768x384.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Arkansas_Comets_BLACK_FEATURED_Players_First_Licensed_Club_GFX_-_SEsite_large.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4559 lazyload\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Arkansas_Comets_BLACK_FEATURED_Players_First_Licensed_Club_GFX_-_SEsite_large.png 1024w, https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Arkansas_Comets_BLACK_FEATURED_Players_First_Licensed_Club_GFX_-_SEsite_large-768x384.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-978ff15 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"978ff15\" 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-d700515\" data-id=\"d700515\" 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-ef944f5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ef944f5\" 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\">Players First Club Spotlight: Arkansas Comets FC<\/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-e68f3c2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e68f3c2\" 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-8876819\" data-id=\"8876819\" 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-a15db59 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a15db59\" 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><strong>Q: Why did Arkansas Comets apply for Players First licensing?<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Paul Kimbrough, Executive Director:<\/strong>\u00a0 At Arkansas Comets we are always trying to upgrade our player\u00a0experience in our organization.\u00a0 We see Players First as a major initiative to help evaluate and improve our club. The application process demonstrated elite national standards in club development, coaching development, player development, parent engagement\/education\u00a0and player health\/safety. From top to bottom, Arkansas Comets strives to be a leader in our local soccer community and Players First licensing demonstrates that our standards here in Arkansas align with an elite national standard.<\/p><p><strong>Q: What does it mean for Arkansas Comets to now be an official Players First-licensed club?<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Kimbrough:<\/strong>\u00a0Players First licensing proves our commitment to providing a holistic club soccer experience for parents and players.\u00a0 On and off the field, Arkansas Comets strives to develop each individual to his or her full potential.\u00a0 We believe this recognition helps parents make better choices about where their athletes should play.\u00a0 Players First licensing is youth soccer\u2019s \u201cGold Standard.\u201d This license helps us stand out as a pioneer in improving the club soccer experience for players and parents.<br \/><strong>Q: What makes Players First licensing different from other initiatives or programs your club has participated in?<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Kimbrough:<\/strong>\u00a0Players First licensing is a unique opportunity because it evaluates all levels of our club structure.\u00a0 Through Players First, we are joining a community of like-minded soccer clubs from across the United States. The immediate response has been impressive both from inside and outside our membership. Players First already brings national and international attention to our club as we look to provide the best possible youth soccer experience in northwest Arkansas.<\/p><p><strong>Q: What would you like the parents of Arkansas Comets to know about what this means to them?<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Kimbrough:<\/strong>\u00a0We want our parents to know that we always focus on the player in every decision. The player is the building block of our club. The Players First license shows that we are committed to improving the soccer environment every day. We are constantly self-reflecting on what we can do to give a better experience for the player. Players First truly is a philosophy for us, not just a name.<\/p>\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-4b68e6c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4b68e6c\" 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-5d3a576\" data-id=\"5d3a576\" 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-1893e21 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"1893e21\" 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-40ef6a0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"40ef6a0\" 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-59cde20\" data-id=\"59cde20\" 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-6d4fe0e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6d4fe0e\" 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>Players First Club Spotlight: Arkansas Comets FC Q: Why did Arkansas Comets apply for Players First licensing? Paul Kimbrough, Executive Director:\u00a0 At Arkansas Comets we are always trying to upgrade our player\u00a0experience in our organization.\u00a0 We see Players First as<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/players-first-club-spotlight-arkansas-comets-fc\/\"> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":4559,"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-4558","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\/4558","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=4558"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4558\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4559"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4558"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4558"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4558"},{"taxonomy":"table_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usclubsoccer.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/table_tags?post=4558"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}