The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), the girls league currently comprised of 79 clubs, has added five new clubs for the 2016-17 season: Boston Breakers Academy, Seattle Reign Academy, Tampa BayUnited, Western New York Flash Academy and Florida’s Weston FC.
The Breakers, Seattle Reign and Western New York are affiliated with pro NWSL clubs.
“We are incredibly excited toannounce multiple-year commitments from each of the new clubs joining the ECNL this fall, and know that each one will be great members and supporters of the league,” said ECNL PresidentChristian Lavers in a press release. “Weston and Tampa Bay United will be great additions to the Southeast Conference, and there will be incredible synergies createdthrough the collaboration between the ECNL and the NWSL clubs.”
In the 2016-2017 season, each ECNL club will compete in five age groups (U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17, and U-18/19) in regularseason conference competition and ECNL National Events.