Rec Sports
ECNL ANNOUNCES SPEAKERS FOR 2026 COACHING SYMPOSIUM, POWERED BY US CLUB SOCCER
RICHMOND, Va. (December 31, 2025) – The ECNL is excited to announce that the ninth annual ECNL Coaching Symposium, powered by US Club Soccer, will take place February 3-4, 2026, at Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Ten leaders from across the world will be sharing insights and expertise on a wide variety of topics during this incredible educational event.
The ECNL Coaching Symposium will feature experts with presentations addressing technical and tactical development, leadership and personal development, club and organizational development, and more. Attendees will have the opportunity to collaborate with fellow leaders and coaches, share ideas and best practices, and will return to their clubs with ideas to innovate and push the game forward. Get a sense of the size, scope and excitement of the event from last year!
Below is the fantastic lineup of speakers at this year’s event (listed alphabetically).
Neil Bath – Former Academy Director, Chelsea Football Club
Neil Bath has spent the majority of his professional career at Chelsea FC, where he built a distinguished reputation in youth development and football operations. He began with eight years as an Academy Coach before moving into a 20-year tenure overseeing the club’s Youth Development Programme. In his final two years, he served as Director of Football Development and Training Ground Operations.
During Bath’s leadership, Chelsea’s academy grew into one of the most recognised and productive talent pathways in global football. The youth team secured seven FA Youth Cup titles, reached four UEFA Youth League finals—winning two—and achieved multiple additional honours. The academy also r0ose to No. 1 in England for player productivity, with numerous graduates progressing to Chelsea’s first team or generating significant value through transfers.
In July 2024, Bath chose to step away from the club, taking a year to reflect and learn from a range of clubs, sports, and business environments. He now works as a consultant, supporting organisations with leadership development, coach education, and high-performance talent systems.
Amie Bracken – Director Of Brand Services, ECNL
With more than 20 years of experience, Amie Bracken is an accomplished brand builder and organizational leader who excels at harnessing creative talent to solve complex business challenges. After consulting the ECNL from its inception in 2008 to the rebrand in 2018, she recently joined the organization to help steer the brand through its continued growth and expansion.
As a brand and marketing strategist, she uses positioning, architecture and visual identity to build brands worth fighting for. She spent her career leading major initiatives across a wide variety of categories with companies like Cincinnati Children’s, Allergan, Smuckers, P&G, Bayer, and the Cincinnati Reds.
Bracken is driven by a commitment to cultivating a culture of connection and co-creation. A dedicated advocate, she champions both the work and the people behind it, defining success through the growth of her teams and the measurable progress of the brands she nurtures.
She holds a degree in Marketing and Communications from Georgetown College, is a three-time Boston Marathon qualifier, and a mediocre downhill skier.
Ceri Bowley – Chief Soccer Officer, NC Courage (NWSL)
Ceri Bowley is the Chief Soccer Officer for the North Carolina Courage where he oversees all player and staff development. Bowley worked as a first team assistant for Rangers FC in the Scottish Premier League and UEFA Champions League in 2023. Prior to that, he worked for many years for City Football Group (CFG) where he led the creation and implementation of the City Football Methodology, which remains in place at CFG clubs across the globe. Bowley holds a PhD in Sports Psychology and Coaching Science, and has worked with Barry Town, the English FA, Swansea City and Merthyr Town in various roles.
Thomas Christiansen – Men’s National Team Coach, Panama
Thomas Christiansen is the head coach of the Panama Men’s National Team. Since he took the reins of the Panama team in 2020, he has led the team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and to two CONCACAF Gold Cups, finished as finalists in both the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League, and finished as quarterfinalists in the 2024 Copa America. Prior to coaching Panama, Christiansen was the manager at Belgium’s Union SG (2019-2020), England’s Leeds United (2017-2018), and Cypress clubs APOEL (2016-2017) and AEK Larnaca (2014-2016). He led AEK Larnaca to their best ever league finish in both seasons (2nd place), and led APOEL to the league title and Round of 16 of the Europa League. As a player, Christiansen had a 15-year career with clubs in Denmark, Spain and Germany, leading the Bundesliga in scoring for Bochum in 2002-2003, and earned two caps for the Spanish National Team.
Andrea Cortez – Director Of Creative Services, ECNL
Andrea Cortez is a seasoned creative strategist and communications professional with a 10+ year track record of driving digital engagement and brand development in competitive sports environments. She currently serves as Director of Creative Services for the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), where she leads creative direction, social strategy, and digital content for one of the most visible and respected youth sports platforms in the country.
Her creative work and digital strategies have been featured by major national media outlets, including ESPN, ABC, and USA Today, and earned national honors from CoSIDA, SkullSparks, and others, underscoring her innovation, impact, and excellence in digital strategy and sports communications.
Before transforming youth sports marketing, Cortez spent over eight years in Division I athletics. She rebranded and elevated four university athletic departments, building creative infrastructure from the ground up and pioneering the long-form, athlete-driven content strategies now standard across collegiate and youth athletics.
A former Division I collegiate athlete, Cortez uniquely blends creative leadership, brand development, cross-platform storytelling, and media strategy. She holds a B.S. in Sports Management from North Carolina Central University and an M.S. in Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness from Troy University.
Russel Earnshaw – Former Premiership Rugby Player; Coach Educator
Since graduating from Cambridge in 1997 with a Masters in Economics and Mathematics, Russel Earnshaw has been involved in sport as a player and a coach. He played and coached in the World 7’s Series and in the Commonwealth Games, winning multiple events and finishing in 2013 with a silver medal in the 2013 7’s World Cup. He also coached the England U18’s and U20’s Men, U18’s Women and GB Students.
In 2013, Earnshaw took a two-year sabbatical to teach Economics (the best CPD he ever did!) and now works cross-sport (with organizations including NZ Rugby, GB Hockey and the Premier League) and in business (including Google and Abbott) with a focus on developing people, leadership, coaching, working as effective teams and creative thinking. He currently works with coaches from International to Champions League to grass roots. There is nothing earnshaw loves more than being on the pitch with coaches.
Brent Gleeson – CEO Exceler8; Former Navy SEAL
A Navy SEAL combat veteran, award-winning tech entrepreneur, three-time bestselling author, and Forbes leadership columnist, Brent Gleeson is a globally recognized expert and acclaimed speaker on topics ranging from resilience, mental toughness, leadership, and building high-performance teams to culture and organizational transformation.
Gleeson is the Founder and CEO of EXCELR8, an enterprise software and management consulting firm whose mission is to equip committed teams with the leadership tools and professional development necessary to navigate change and growth with accuracy and precision.
Gleeson holds degrees in finance and economics from Southern Methodist University, degrees in English Literature and Criminal Justice from Oxford University, and an MBA from the University of San Diego. He is the #1 bestselling author of Embrace the Suck: The Navy SEAL Way to an Extraordinary Life and TakingPoint: A Navy SEAL’s 10 Fail-Safe Principles for Leading Through Change. His third book, All In: The Pathway to Personal Growth and Professional Excellence, was released on December 2, 2025 and became an instant USA Today bestseller. Gleeson is married with four amazing children.
Doug Lemov – ECNL Coaching Methodology Advisor
Doug Lemov is the ECNL Coaching Methodology Advisor and an impactful educator of both teachers and coaches. He is the international best-selling author of the best-seller Teach Like a Champion and of the highly acclaimed The Coach’s Guide to Teaching. He is also the co-author of Practice Perfect, Reading Reconsidered, Teaching in the Online Classroom, and Reconnect. Lemov has been an instructor with the US Soccer Federation in their Pro License and other courses, and has consulted with coaches and sporting organizations around the world, including in MLB, the NBA, MLS, and more.
Stephen Torpey – Academy Director at Manchester United
Stephen Torpey, appointed Academy Director of Manchester United in September, is widely regarded as one of the most influential and forward-thinking leaders in youth development in English football. His career spans elite roles at Liverpool FC, Manchester City, and Brentford, where he has consistently transformed coaching environments and accelerated player pathways.
At Manchester City, Torpey played a central role in creating one of Europe’s most successful academy models — delivering three consecutive PL2 titles, multiple U18 national titles, and helping produce a generation of players who progressed into top European leagues. At Brentford, he led the academy’s full strategic rebuild and delivered the unprecedented jump from Category 4 to Category 2, redefining the club’s long-term development structure.
A former FA National School scholar and Liverpool FC professional, Torpey is also a highly respected keynote speaker and coach educator, contributing to the FA’s highest-level coaching awards. His leadership is recognised for combining innovation, clarity of vision, and a relentless commitment to developing world-class talent.
Drew Watson – ECNL Medical Advisor
Drew Watson, MD, MS, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine Public Health and board certified in pediatrics and sports medicine. He is a team physician for the University of Wisconsin and Forward Madison FC in USL League One and serves as the ECNL Chief Medical Advisor. He is the Director of both the ECNL Center for Athlete Health and Performance and the University of Wisconsin Human Performance Laboratory, conducting research in pediatric exercise physiology, injury prevention and the impacts of injuries on well-being and mental
The 2026 ECNL Coaching Symposium is part of the league’s club and coach development platform, a key component in the league’s mission to Raise The Game by providing unique coach and club development opportunities to youth soccer coaches and organizations. The event is open to coaches regardless of league affiliation.
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About the ECNL:
The ECNL is the nation’s leading youth soccer development platform for America’s top soccer players. The ECNL mission to provide the best youth sports experience in the world drives constant innovations in competitions and experiences for players, parents, families, coaches, referees, and partners. The ECNL has questioned convention and challenged the status quo of youth sport since 2009, pushing boundaries and striving for unmatched excellence. Together with its clubs and club leaders, the ECNL creates unforgettable memories and supports the development of youth players into college stars, professionals, world champions, and leaders.
www.TheECNL.com
ECNL FB: @TheECNL | ECNL IG: @TheECNL | ECNL X: @TheECNL
Rec Sports
Men’s Basketball vs Saint John’s University on 1/7/2026 – Box Score
Rec Sports
Money Is Ruining Sports At All Levels
Jameson416
Jan 08, 7:41 AM
The unfortunate part with a lot of it is you simply can’t find appropriate competition at the “local/rec” level for several sports. This is especially true for baseball leagues by the ages of 9 or 10. If your kid can play, and wants to improve and play with similarly talented kids, travel becomes the only option in a lot of places. It really sucks, bcz there are a lot of travel teams that really arent even that good, and if everyone would just agree to play rec, the leagues could be strong… but thats just not the way it works out in most cases. Thankfully that mentality hasn’t overtaken football in our area, and I’ll never be a proponent of single sport specialization.
I really like what the above poster said about “being ok spending the $, if the kid is willing to work.” That’s pretty much 100% where we are as well. My oldest is way more into it and so thats what we do, including private training etc… my middle child is actually prob a better natural athlete (speed, quickness, etc) but he just isn’t to the point of caring that much yet, which we’re totally fine with. Im a firm believer in meeting your kids where they are, seems to make for a better outcome.
I wholeheartedly agree though, youth sports have become outrageous. But where do we go from here?
Rec Sports
BACKGROUNDER: Supreme Court to Hear Oral Arguments for West…
On January 13th, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments for West Virginia v. BPJ and Little v. Hecox, cases arguing that West Virginia and Idaho’s bans preventing transgender students from playing on the school sports teams that align with their gender identity violate both Title IX and the United States Constitution’s Equal Protection clause. As transgender youth continue to face numerous targeted attacks from healthcare to education, these cases mark another key moment in the fight against anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination that could have implications beyond the sports world.
Human Rights Campaign Senior Director of Legal Policy Cathryn Oakley released the following statement ahead of oral arguments:
“The issues at play in these cases are basic fairness and equality. Every child, no matter their background, race, or gender, should have access to a quality education where they can feel safe to learn and grow–and for many kids that involves being a part of a school sports team. To deny transgender kids the chance to participate in school sports alongside their peers simply because of who they are is textbook discrimination—and it’s unconstitutional.
“The legal support for the challenges to these clearly discriminatory laws is clear. Yet in these cases, we once again have the Alliance Defending Freedom, the Project 2025-affiliated group that brought the case that overturned Roe v Wade as well as many anti-LGBTQ+ lawsuits, fighting to dismantle well-established civil rights protections. These bans aren’t just about attacking trans kids–they’re about policing gender. The Court should follow the law, reject this callous bullying, and ensure every child in school can feel safe and supported in their educational journeys.”
2x World Cup Champion and HRC Board Member Ashlyn Harris released the following statement ahead of oral arguments:
“It’s not an exaggeration to say that sports saved my life. Not only did it teach me about leadership, accountability, and teamwork, it gave me a sense of belonging and safety that I needed to survive. Every kid deserves this opportunity, and it breaks my heart to see efforts to take sports away from trans kids who just want a place to play and belong. As a 2x World Cup Champion, I can say unequivocally that the types of bans in front of the Supreme Court do nothing to solve the actual problems facing women’s sports that I spent my career fighting for–including equitable pay, safety, and a lack of resources and respect. Instead, they hurt all women and girls by encouraging folks to police what we look like and how we show up in the world. Let’s stop with the bullying and let all kids play.”
Details of the Cases:
West Virginia v. BPJ is brought by the ACLU, the ACLU of West Virginia, Lambda Legal and Cooley LLP, who are representing a West Virginia family and their daughter Becky (B.P.J), a middle school student who was not allowed to try out for girl’s sports because she is transgender. B.P.J asserts that the ban violates her rights under Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. Department of Justice under the previous administration supported her case, and B.P.J. won the protection of a preliminary injunction. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the injunction as well.
Little v. Hecox is brought by the ACLU and the ACLU of Idaho, Legal Voice, and Cooley LLP on behalf of Lindsay Hecox, a transgender student at Boise State University who was impacted by Idaho’s 2020 transgender athletics ban. Hecox asserts that the ban violates her rights under the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. A federal judge issued an injunction blocking enforcement of Idaho’s anti-transgender sports ban, which was later upheld by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Last year, the Supreme Court decided to take up the cases together, hearing oral arguments on January 13th, 2026. A decision is expected in Spring of this year.
Potential Impact of these Cases:
The state bans in these cases are being challenged on two grounds: Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
The Supreme Court will have to weigh whether Title IX’s prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded educational programs includes a prohibition of discrimination on the basis of gender identity, specifically in the context of sports.
- If the Court rules that Title IX does not include prohibitions for discrimination on the basis of gender identity, specifically for sports or more broadly, it would allow these anti-transgender sports bans to stand.
- Additionally, Title IX governs different types of sex-based discrimination beyond sports, including the use of people’s names and pronouns, what bathrooms a person can use, what dress codes they have to adhere to, whom they can take to prom, and even whether they can openly identify as LGBTQ+.
- Therefore, undermining Title IX protections for transgender people could create pathways for increased discrimination and exclusion in federally-funded educational institutions for all LGBTQ+ people.
- If the Court rules that Title IX does include prohibitions for discrimination on the basis of gender identity in sports, the Plaintiffs (Hecox and B.P.J.) would win their challenges and the state bans, and others like them across the country, would fall.
- On Equal Protection grounds, the Court will again be asked to determine what level of constitutional scrutiny anti-transgender laws must survive if they are to stay in effect. Depending on the rationale the Court uses to justify the level of scrutiny they choose, that level of scrutiny could have implications for anti-transgender laws other than sports.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people, with 3.6 million members and supporters. The HRC Foundation (a 501(c)(3)) works to ensure LGBTQ+ people are safe, seen and supported where it matters most: at school, at work and in every community across the country. From the courtroom to the classroom, from Congress to corporate America, HRC and the HRC Foundation build power through partnerships, storytelling, and action—working to create a future rooted in equity, freedom and belonging for all LGBTQ+ people.
Rec Sports
Annual PCL post-season boys basketball tournament planned at Woodbridge –
Woodbridge brings the ball up in Tuesday’s PCL game game vs. Irvine. (PHOTO: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).
Pacific Coast League boys basketball season got under way this week and once again teams will be facing each other only one time before the annual post-season league tournament is held.
Woodbridge Coach Steve Scoggin said this week that all the post-season tournament games will be held at Woodbridge this season after being split between different gymnasiums in other years.
All eight teams are expected to compete in the tournament, which will determine the league champion and the top four automatic playoff berths.
Scoggin added that this will be the final year of the league tournament.
Teams in the league are Irvine, University, Portola, Northwood, Woodbridge, Laguna Beach, St. Margaret’s and Sage Hill.
The last regular season league games are Tuesday, Jan. 27. The full schedule for the league tournament will be announced later, Scoggin said.
The Trinity League is also having a post-season league tournament this season, Feb. 2-4.
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
Rec Sports
Panther alums show up against varsity
ANAHUAC— Dusting off old sneakers, Anahuac High School alums joined in a friendly game of basketball against the new generation of Panthers, taking a couple of wins while raising funds for a worthy cause.
The Anahuac High School Gym was packed on Saturday, Dec. 20, for the 2025 Anahuac Panther Alumni Basketball Game, hosted by the Anahuac Youth Sports Organization in partnership with the Anahuac Independent School District.
“We are so proud of how this event turned out,” AYSO Communications Officer Samantha Humphrey said. “There was so much joy in the Panther Den, and it was incredible to see multiple generations come together for such a special night.”
Generations of Panther basketball players and fans enjoyed a day of basketball, with nearly 300 in attendance, all gathered for some lighthearted competition that served as a fundraiser supporting local youth sports.
With graduating classes dating back to 1998, a total of 28 men and 10 women returned to the court to see if they still had their skills.
Two men’s alum teams, coached by Tristan Lewis and Deray Williams, played in the opening game, followed by the women’s alum team, coached by Samantha Humphrey and Tori Lewis.
As for the game results, the 4 p.m. game saw Williams Alumni defeat Lewis Alumni.
At 5 p.m., Women’s Alumni faced Girls Varsity, with the alum team taking the win. At 6 p.m., the Men’s Alumni took the victory over the Boys Varsity.
Fans also competed during some three-point contests throughout the evening.
Winners included Meagan Perry, Women’s Three-Point Contest; Zachary Childress, Men’s Three-Point Contest; and Cullen Cotton, Open Three-Point Contest.
Perry received a prize of $110, Childress earned $170, and Cotton was awarded $250.
The evening was full of energy and Panther pride as alumni, current students, families and friends came together to support a sport they hold dear.
AYSO wishes to share a special thanks to AISD, the alum players, coaches, volunteers, referees and the community for making the evening a great success.
For more information about upcoming events or to find out how to get involved with AYSO, contact AYSO, follow the organization on social media, or join the group on Facebook at Facebook.com/groups/AnahuacYouthSportsOrg.
Rec Sports
A Look Inside: Canton Citizen’s January 8 edition
By Canton Citizen
Check out this week’s issue of the Citizen for the latest in Canton news, sports, events, and more. Highlights from the January 8 edition include:
* The Citizen’s annual Year in Review, featuring a look back at the top news and sports stories of 2025
* Notable deaths and retirements from the past year
* Highlights from the January 6 Select Board meeting
* Meet Canton’s new police chief (click here for excerpt)
* Canton High seniors organize bike giveaway
* Ponky Rink public skating photos
* Good News: “The Nose Knows” by Jane Eagles
* Beantown Buckaroos to perform at Open Book Coffeehouse
* Details on town of Canton’s Annual Census and more News Notes by Mike Berger
* Athlete of the Week and more winter sports coverage
Also, don’t forget to check out our many weekly features, including:
* Police & Fire News Notes
* Senior Corner and letters to the editor
* Cable Guide, Citizen Around Town, and much more
* House of the Week and more local real estate resources
Not a subscriber? Click here to order your subscription today, or check out our new digital edition, the e-Citizen.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=133147
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