Tudela Makes Change Happen With Hybrid Financial Model to Benefit Youth Players and The Game
Often, the high cost of participating in youth soccer becomes a barrier to the beautiful game and while we firmly believe coaches should be properly paid and understand excellence — from fields to equipment — across the board costs money, it is great to see a new model making player development available to players based on their drive and talent and not their parents’ checkbooks.
Youth Soccer News: World Cup Champion Hope Solo joins forces with Tudela FC LA (TFC LA), an all-girls club in Los Angeles founded to close the gender gap in training, facilities and attention to development that exists in youth soccer between boys and girls, and tackle the pay-to-play model that makes club soccer unaffordable for many families.
Even if you never watch videos — make an exception and check out this inspiring one on Tudela FC.
Solo will support the club through mentoring and visits to the girls throughout the season.
She will also provide promotional support through content and social media to increase awareness of the team’s mission and show what is possible despite the challenges of soccer’s pay-to-play structure.
Needless to say, the girls and the club were amazed by Solo’s social media post on the 2007 girls’ victory at the Albion SC Showcase.
Is this marking a change in the landscape of youth soccer? Do youth soccer clubs have to charge big fees to provide opportunities for players to play soccer?
Do only the big clubs produce winning teams? Obviously not.
Tudela FC was founded in 2017 and achieved immediate success in its first season with the Club’s 2005, 2006, and 2007 teams going undefeated in league play and winning their divisions.
“TFC is proof of what can be achieved when clubs make an equal commitment to developing the best talent and making the game accessible to all,” says Solo.
This is high praise from a staunch critic of the pay-to-play system that can keep kids out of mainstream competitive soccer.
“TFC recognizes these goals are one and the same, even though it means a lot more work and investment from the club,” said Solo. “Sadly, our current system has made the sport out of reach for so many and TFC is trying to change that for girls in L.A.”
TFC is the creation of a former standout player at Indiana University, 33-year-old Jacob Tudela, a coach for the past 11 years with various clubs in Los Angeles including Beach Futbol Club, Los Angeles United Futbol Club, Downtown Soccer Club, and South Bay Force. Joining Tudela is Chelsea Braun, 26, former National Champion at UCLA and TFC Youth Academy Director.
Together, they’ve built a competitive program for girls ages 9 through 13 years of age and a fully subsidized recreational program for girls ages 6 to 8 years old.
Tag line for Tudela is: Building elite players of the highest technical skill and character.
The club operates under a hybrid financial model that funds its programs, in part, by families who can pay, and by sponsorships, grants, and fundraising.
Unlike other clubs that allocate a certain number of scholarships per each of its teams, TFC allocates scholarships by need across the entire program.
“If we can’t break the pay-to-play model of youth soccer, we’re determined to bend it into something better,” said Tudela.
“To have a champion like Hope Solo, someone who has been fighting so hard for reform in our sport, recognize the work we’re doing means so much,” said Tudela. “It’s a testament to the dedication of every coach, parent, and kid in our program and their belief in our mission.”
“We want to be a model for youth development and make our club a vehicle for social change, said Braun. “We’re not looking to build hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars in reserves.”
“We’re looking at what we need to operate our business, pay our coaches and staff a competitive salary – and then invest the rest back into the kids,” added Braun. “If we truly want to find and develop our best talent, this is the future of youth soccer.”
Tudela FC LA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, all-girls’ soccer club, born out of the experience of being girls’ teams playing within historically boys’ clubs in Los Angeles. To donate, click here.
Tudela FC LA Video Credits:
Hope x Tudela FC Video
Agency: Hero LA
Director: Jerry Ying (TFC Parent)
Cinematographer: Tim Hsiung
Creative Director: Jana Jarosz
Art Director: Sam Haligman
Editor: Johannes Yoing | Tim Kennedy
Producer: Albert Chi
Copywriter: Jerry Ying | Hope Solo
Talent: Hope Solo | Tudela FC girls
Music: South Music
Tudela FC LA Dreams Video
Agency: Hero LA
Director: Jerry Ying (TFC Parent)
Cinematographer: Tim Hsiung
Creative Director: Ron Eshel
Art Director: Sam Haligman
Editor: Johannes Yoing
Copywriter: Jerry Ying
Talent: Tudela FC girls
Music: Scott Thomas
Sound Engineer: Max
Drone: Eric Curtis Photography
