FC Pride awarded Players First license by US Club Soccer
Indianapolis-based FC Pride has been selected as one of 16 new recipients of the Players First license, US Club Soccer announced this month.
The Players First license focuses on developing players to their full potential by taking a holistic approach to the game. Select clubs are chosen after a stringent application process.
“We 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,” said US Club Soccer CEO Kevin Payne in a release.
Other clubs that earned the Players First license this month along with FC Pride include Barca Academy Columbus (Columbus, Ohio), Chantilly Youth Association (Chantilly, Va.), CSA Impact United (Cleveland), Diablo FC (Concord, Calif.), FC Prime (Lauderhill, Fla.), Kansas City Legends (Merriam, Kan.), Magic Soccer FC (Bismarck, N.D.), Morris Elite SC (Madison, N.J.), NASA Tophat (Marietta, Ga.), NEFC (Holliston, Mass.), San Ramon FC (San Ramon, Calif.), St. Croix SC (Stillwater, Minn.), Tampa Bay Rowdies SC (Tampa, Fla.), Titans FC San Antonio (San Antonio, Texas) and Union Sacramento FC (Sacramento, Calif.).
This latest wave of 16 clubs that were awarded the license brings the total number of Players First recipients to 75 clubs across 24 U.S. states. Applicants must prove their dedication to the seven Players First tenets in order to qualify for the license:
- Club and Applicant Information
- Club Leadership Expertise and Development
- Staff Education and Development
- Player Health and Safety
- Training and Competition Structure
- Staffing Structure
- Parent Education and Engagement
Founded in 2001, FC Pride fields male and female teams from youth to adult, including a second-division women’s side that plays in the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL). It also operates recreational and developmental programs and camps for players ages eight and younger. The club’s home is Lawrence Soccer Complex on Indianapolis’ northeast side.
Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KJboxing.
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