All across the state this weekend, teams from the U12-U19 age groups will begin their quests to reach the highest levels of the NorCal Premier Soccer competition pyramid, as the NPL kicks this Saturday and Sunday.

Meant as a proving ground to earn spots in the top-level ECNL RL, the NPL features a split season league, with the top teams earning promotion for the next season.

And with the expansion of the ECNL RL, there are now more teams than ever in the mix to earn those promotion spots as many State Premier level squads have moved up to the NPL.

“The NorCal Premier Soccer competition structure continues to be founded on the idea of merit-based play,” said NorCal NPL Commissioner Kelcey Chaidez. “The teams that show they’re the best through a full season of league play earn the opportunity to compete at a higher level.”

“Ultimately, this promotion/relegation structure ensures that as many games as possible are as competitive as possible, which lets teams earn their league status through results and continues to drive player development,” Chaidez added. “We’re looking forward to another exciting season of play all throughout the state.”

In the fall, each NPL league has been grouped regionally in a season that stretches all the way through the first full weekend in November. From there, the spring will pit the top teams against each other, encompassing a larger geographic area, with the best finishers from the spring then qualifying for the ECNL RL next year.

This structure has allowed several teams, most notably San Carlos United’s 2006 Girls, to start all the way at the bottom and eventually become ECNL RL champions.

“There are an innumerable number of success stories that have started in the NPL,” Chaidez said. “At NorCal, we can’t wait to see which of the teams that kick off this weekend are up for the challenge that will ultimately see them at the top.”

For more information about the NPL, click here.