Three NorCal NPL have been promoted to participate on the boys side of the ECNL starting in the fall, the league announced Tuesday.

Thanks to strong play over the last 12 months in NorCal NPL, Association Football Club, 1974 Newark FC, and San Francisco Elite Academy earned this distinction as part of the continued partnership between NorCal NPL and the ECNL.

This is the second year in which NorCal NPL clubs have been promoted to the ECNL – last year, California Odyssey, ECFC Salinas, and San Jose Surf became the first-ever clubs to do so, after earning promotion through NorCal NPL Club Standings.

Clubs are selected for promotion based on an aggregation of all teams’ results in the National Premier League, with points being awarded for finishing highly in NorCal’s NPL.

The full ECNL promotion table can be found here.

What They’re Saying

Association Football Club

“AFC is thrilled at being promoted to the Boys ECNL for the 2023-24 season. The ECNL provides a high level of regional and national competition for our teams, giving our players a new environment to develop, showcase their talents in front of college coaches & recruiters, and achieve their goals. The ECNL’s mission and structure complement our club’s own philosophy and we are excited to see the league continue to grow stronger in Northern California and nationally.”

– Andy Hulbert, AFC Director of Coaching

1974 Newark FC

“We are proud to be officially joining the ECNL through the pathways of NorCal Premier. This exciting new opportunity would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the entire NorCal staff, who have been instrumental in building this pathway that allows clubs like ours to elevate their game and aspirations to the next level. I would also like to give recognition and a huge thank you to our players and coaches, who have worked tirelessly over the years to help drive our club’s success. None of this would be possible without the dedication and commitment of our entire community, and for that, we are eternally grateful. We look forward to the challenges and opportunities that await us in the ECNL, and we will continue to strive for excellence both on and off the field.”

– Michael Hannon, Newark Technical Director

San Francisco Elite Academy 

“Our goal as a club is to create a player pathway that provides the best opportunities for all our players. Our promotion to the ECNL Boys aligns perfectly with this goal as we are now able to compete at the highest level in the country. We look forward to collaborating with the league and the club members within it to create a positive environment for everyone involved to thrive.”

– Joe Dugan, SF Elite Executive Director

NorCal Premier Soccer

“NorCal Premier Soccer is committed to providing pathways for clubs and teams to compete at the highest levels. Our continued partnership with the ECNL provides ambitious clubs the opportunity to earn their way into a top national league. This year’s promotions are another example of this partnership working to create a clear pathway for clubs in Northern California.”

– Daniel Chamberlain, NorCal Director of Competitions