CHARLESTON, S.C. (September 5, 2025) – In 2022, US Club Soccer launched a program, titled “Coach Education for Current & Former Players,” in collaboration with NorCal Premier Soccer and SOCAL Soccer League, and with support from U.S. Soccer as an Innovate to Grow Fund recipient. Recognizing that current players are a demographic sparsely represented in coach education, the program began with the goal of providing the necessary tools, guidance and mentorship that coaches require.

Since its inception, US Club Soccer has hosted more than 200 grassroots courses and awarded nearly 600 licenses to current and former players aged 18-30 who are new to coaching.

“We are incredibly proud of the impact this program has had on young coaches,” said Dr. Missy Price, US Club Soccer Vice President of Education & Development. “NorCal Premier and SOCAL Soccer League have played a commendable role in hosting the program and ensuring it meets high standards. US Club Soccer believes coaching is a journey, and we’re proud to have kickstarted those journeys for hundreds of new coaches – and to do all of this at no cost to them.”

What is Innovate to Grow?

U.S. Soccer’s Innovate to Grow Fund was established in 2017 to help U.S. Soccer member organizations launch new and innovative programs designed to grow participation in their markets.

To be considered for grant funding, members’ proposed programs were required to meet certain criteria as part of a comprehensive application process, including:

• The program must be new and different from current efforts.
• The program must demonstrate capability to grow participation.
• The program must demonstrate potential to scale in other markets.
• The program must align with U.S. Soccer Player Development Initiatives.
• The member must also be financially invested in the program.

Since 2017, the Innovate to Grow Fund has awarded over $18 million in grants. In the 2023-24 cycle alone, U.S. Soccer donated more than $3 million to programs across the country that are changing their communities through soccer and collectively supporting 800,000 participants.