Florida Elite Soccer Academy, Florida Kraze Krush to join ECNL in 2017

RICHMOND, VA (Via ECNL) – The Elite Clubs National League has announced that Florida Elite Soccer Academy (Jacksonville) and Florida Kraze Krush (Orlando) will be joining the ECNL beginning in the 2017-2018 ECNL season as new member clubs. The ECNL will be the only national leagues in which the clubs will compete, and the focal point of their competitive efforts.

Florida Elite Soccer Academy has been a rising power in Florida over the past several years, and confirmed their quality again in the 2015-16 season with their U14 girls winning the Florida NPL as well as advancing to the USYS U14 National Championships, and their U16 and U18 girls winning the USYS Southern Regional League. Florida Kraze Krush also had a banner 2015-2016 season, with their U16 girls advancing to the USYS National Championship semi-finals, multiple top two age group finishes in the Florida NPL, and their U17 girls winning the USYS Southern Regional League.

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Both clubs are led by coaches with decades of experience in youth club soccer, a history of developing top players for college soccer and beyond, and a commitment to ongoing coaching education and development.

“Florida Elite and FKK have a great track record of player and club development over the past several years,” said ECNL President Christian Lavers. “The leadership in both clubs have distinguished themselves across the country, and even in international soccer, in their commitment to raising standards on the field and to making the game better. We are excited to welcome them into the league and to work together to Raise the Game in Florida.”

“Being accepted into the ECNL is a testament to the commitment and loyalty of our membership, our staff and our soccer community,” said FKK Executive Director Hue Menzies. “The ECNL has proven that it is the leading platform in the country for player development and the best platform in the country for collegiate exposure. We are looking forward to participating in the league.”

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“We are honored and privileged to be part of the league that has changed the face of youth soccer,” said Florida Elite SA Executive Director Sean Bubb. “This is a tremendous reward for our players, parents, and coaching team for their dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence. Florida Elite’s drive to bring opportunities of the highest level for its players and parents runs parallel to everything ECNL has stood for and built over the past decade. We are delighted to become part of the number one youth soccer league in the country.”

Both clubs will begin formal competition in the ECNL in August 2017. Additional new clubs will be announced in the ECNL in the coming weeks.