Richmond, VA – (March 24, 2021) – The ECNL Boys is excited to announce a new relationship with the Virginia Premier Soccer League (VPSL) to license the league as an official ECNL Regional League for the 2021-22 season. Nine clubs from the VPSL will be competing in the inaugural season of the ECNL Regional League – VPSL: Great Falls Reston, Prince William Soccer, Richmond Kickers, Richmond Strikers, Tidewater Sharks, Stafford Soccer, Vienna Youth Soccer, Villarreal Virginia Academy and Virginia Soccer Academy. In addition, two new clubs will join the ECNL Regional League – VPSL this fall: Fredericksburg FC and Virginia Legacy.
“Welcoming high-level clubs into the ECNL Boys Regional Leagues has become a major focus for our league,” said ECNL Boys Commissioner Jason Kutney. “Virginia has always been a hot-bed for soccer and the VPSL has consistently driven competition levels and player development higher every year. Our relationship with the VPSL aligns great clubs and leadership within the ECNL pyramid, in a highly competitive environment that will provide a tremendous experience and, ultimately, will serve as a ‘proving ground’ for future ECNL Club Competition consideration.”
The VPSL was founded in 2015, specifically for clubs with national programming, and became a licensed ECNL Girls Regional League in 2018. It aims to provide a high level of competition and a professional, player-centric environment designed to enhance player development at all levels. With the goal to be at the forefront of player development, the league provides enhanced flexibility within age groups and playing opportunities for larger player pools while increasing competitiveness across the board. The VPSL features programming for ages U11-U19.
“Aligning the boys side of VPSL with the ECNL Regional League is a major step toward successfully reaching our goals of providing the best opportunities for our players, improving the game day experience for our families, and further defining the pathway for deserving clubs in ‘the Proving Ground,’” said Mike Cullina, VPSL Board Member. “We value the importance of surrounding ourselves with like-minded, professionally run clubs, and the addition of Fredericksburg FC and Virginia Legacy meets this objective, while also providing clarity in the Virginia soccer landscape, and increasing our ability to provide more local games and create friendly competition to help our players, coaches and clubs develop.”
ECNL Boys Regional League expansion, as well as Regional League showcase events and a national postseason will be announced at a later date.