ACCESS FOR ALL
Since 2017, ECFC is an entirely open soccer club to supporters and players alike. It is no secret that American soccer has closed itself off from an enormous pool of talent due to the regularity of the pay-to-play youth club model, creating even greater rifts in accessibility for certain players of all ages. We are a club that puts a great amount of effort and resources toward each of our players. It is a principle of our club that no player is required to pay any fee to participate in our programs or join our teams. This obviously limits the number of players we are able to place on our squads, but we are hopeful that with further funding, we will be able to provide additional club play experiences to many more local players of all ages.
The Pillars of ECFC
The Pay-To-Play system doesn’t only affect club level soccer, even pick up soccer in America usually has a cost, based on field space, which, in an urban environment just isn’t cheap. Through working with local organizations and through the support of our sponsors and community ownership group, ECFC is committed to creating free community pick ups and other playing opportunities for any and every footballer. We hope to dedicate a good deal of our energy toward ensuring that these opportunities are constant and frequent and fun.
ECFC is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and the entirety of our funding is generated by Sponsorships, Donations, Ticket Sales and through our dedicated Community Ownership Group. This group of community memebers and supporters ensures that ECFC is able to commit its energy and funding not only to developing a highly competitive and accessible adult soccer team, but also creating opportunities for the young and old of our community to enjoy the beautiful game.
We have built our club from the ground up with the understanding that we must continuously strive to improve, first and foremost, for it’s players and in service to their desire to improve as players and as people. It is for that reason that this club intends to aim high and seeks to give more Chicagoans a more instantaneous and localized connection to the game of soccer. As we grow, it's important that we continue to provide our community with opportunities to grow with us. Onward & Upward, Always.