NSCAA Forms Educational Partnership with Massachusetts Premier League
The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) announced an educational partnership with the Massachusetts Premier League (MAPLE) that will provide in-person and eLearning education opportunities for more than 100 MAPLE clubs.
Starting this spring, MAPLE clubs will benefit from the NSCAA’s extensive library of coaching education content, including the webinar series, “Attacking and Defending Principles of Play.” Coaches will be able to watch video presentations, download activity plans, and follow the NSCAA’s player development model.
“An opportunity to affiliate with MAPLE and its partner clubs is extremely important to NSCAA. MAPLE’s commitment to community-based programming and the support it provides coaches aligns with the spirit of our Association,” NSCAA DOCE Ian Barker said. “Collaboratively, NSCAA and MAPLE will offer resources and education to coaches with an ultimate goal of providing young players the best possible soccer experiences.”
In the coming weeks, NSCAA will launch the Level 1 Diploma and Level 1 Goalkeeper Diploma fully online and on-demand. These two courses, as well as the others currently available, represent opportunities for MAPLE Clubs to establish an in-house, club-directed coaching education program, where all active coaches are regularly engaging in high-quality and convenient development.
MAPLE coaches who were not previously NSCAA members will also receive an introductory membership, and all participants receive NSCAA Diplomas after completing the required components.
Nick Dunbar, MAPLE’s Technical Director, added: “We are delighted to partner with such a respected, worldwide provider of coach education and development. It is obvious that the NSCAA shares the same philosophy and commitment to development as our league and member clubs. We feel this relationship will provide a massive benefit to everyone involved with MAPLE and we are excited and honored to be named an affiliate partner.”
NSCAA CEO Joe Cummings noted: “Given my time involved in soccer in Massachusetts, with my children playing and with my wife and I both serving in administrative positions, this is both personally and professionally gratifying for the NSCAA to be a partner with MAPLE. We look forward to continuing to provide coach education to coaches at all levels.
Launched in January, NSCAA eLearning is the next evolution in the education available by the Association, enhancing its current course offerings and utilizing advancing technology to grow and better serve the soccer coaching community.
Currently, coaches can take advantage of more than 25 on-demand courses from the NSCAA. Topics include “Top Ten Futsal Training Activities to Improve Speed of Play” and the comprehensive “NSCAA Player Development Curriculum Diploma” course for coaches working with players from 3 to 18 years old.
