National soccer orgs work together to debut all-female Club Technical Leadership Pathway
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Nov. 14, 2024) – Four national soccer organizations and initiatives are collaborating in an effort to increase the number of women in leadership roles across the soccer landscape. US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer, Women and Girls in Soccer and U.S. Soccer’s SheChampions Coaching Initiative are hosting the first-ever all-female entry-level course for the Club Leadership Technical Pathway. Formerly known as the Director of Coaching license course, the Club Technical Leadership Level 1 is an entry-level course that helps club technical leaders understand their role connected to their club’s mission, values and principles, and to begin developing competencies as technical leaders.
The first course is blended with in-person and virtual components. It begins Jan. 22 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, Jan. 30-Feb. 2.
This initiative covers participants’ course expenses, travel fees and meals, and as such, interested coaches must complete an application. Submitted applications will be reviewed by a committee comprised of the four co-hosting organizations, and those selected will be invited to register to the course in the U.S. Soccer Learning Center. Necessary requirements for coaches are outlined here.
Applicants with a ‘B’ license meet course requirements. However, U.S. Soccer is offering waivers for coaches who meet the following requirements:
- ‘C’ license holder and five years of technical leadership experience
- Current technical leadership role within a club OR a letter from a club/league stating that the student technical leader has been identified for a current or future role within the club
Additional waiver information is detailed in the course description of the aforementioned link. The application deadline is Dec. 6, and all accepted applicants will be notified by Dec. 20. Once accepted, coaches will have until Dec. 30 to register for the course. Applications can be accessed and completed here. Questions should be directed to the US Club Soccer Education & Development department.
Recently, in our ongoing efforts to support women and girls in sport, US Club Soccer partnered with WeCOACH and Coaching HER. The partnerships provide US Club Soccer members with complimentary access to research-backed educational programs and initiatives to combat dropout rates of girls in sport and improve female representation in coaching.
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 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.
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 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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