America ranks first around the globe as the country with the highest number of children who participate in organized soccer.  While it's difficult to determine the exact number of youth soccer leagues in the country,  more than 3 million American kids are currently registered with US Youth Soccer--the nation's largest youth sports organization.  Within such a large marketplace, it can be challenging to distinguish one soccer organization from another. 

 

The Club Champions League (CCL) has been hailed as a pioneer for youth soccer in America.  In 1997, the CCL  (then called the VCCL) was the first league to develop and implement the "club-centric" model, beginning even before the US Development Academy. The CCL emerged based on the philosophy that the player is a member of the club as well as the member of the team, and that successful clubs develop players and teams from within.  

 

More than just a catchphrase, the club-centric model emphasizes the player's long-term development as the primary focus of all league initiatives.   "The CCL structure provides an optimal environment for players.  Because all CCL clubs provide a boys and girls team in the 11-19 age groups, players can grow up within their home clubs, while still accessing top quality coaching and competition," said CCL Executive Director Brian Kuk.

 

Beyond the player-centered structure, the CCL embodies a multi-layered approach to league management that amplifies the impact of individual clubs.  Through comprehensive programming, strategic partnerships aimed at reducing fees, and direct input and oversight from club technical directors, the CCL supports clubs at every step along the player development pathway.

 

"We work with like-minded soccer professionals and clubs who share the same ideas about player development and want to support each other's clubs in becoming better, for the good of the game," stated CCL Board President Danny Beamer.

 

But the competitive quality of the CCL's club-to-club matchday lies at the heart of the league's success.   CCL clubs consistently produce top-level competitive teams that boast state, regional, and national accolades.  In 2016, CCL clubs earned two national championships, three national finalists, and 8 VA State Cup champions. 

 

"At the end of the day, exceptional youth soccer is the league's highest and best calling," says Kuk.  "But we believe we are raising the bar in the CCL so that clubs, players, coaches, and families benefit in multiple ways, both on and off the soccer field.  That's what we like to think of as the CCL Advantage."