W-League News Release
Friday, March 21, 2014
TAMPA, Fla. – Braddock Road Youth Club (BRYC), one of the oldest and most prominent soccer clubs in the nation, will own and operate the Braddock Road Stars Elite, it was announced today. Set to begin play in the 2014 W-League season, the Stars Elite will be coached by BRYC’s Larry Best, the 2013 USYS National Competitive Coach of the Year.
Based in Fairfax, Virginia, BRYC’s alumni list includes Mia Hamm, Jill Ellis, Megan McCarthy, Wendy Gebauer Palladino, and current UCLA Head Coach Amanda Cromwell, who captured the 2013 NCAA Division I title.
“Having Braddock Road Youth Club operate the Stars Elite is a great addition that will strengthen the league’s profile in the Atlantic region of the United States,” W-League Senior Director Amanda Duffy said. “With both the club’s and Larry’s rich history and success at the highest youth levels, I am confident the Stars Elite will immediately become a W-League contender.”
As previously announced, the Stars Elite will join the Northeastern Conference, hosting W-League powers such as the Washington Spirit Reserves and Long Island Rough Riders at Samuel J. Coffey Stadium.
“Braddock Road Youth Club and our newly formed Braddock Road Stars Elite team are excited and honored to be joining the W-League for the 2014 season,” Best said. “Our club, coaches, and players see the W-League as wonderful opportunity to expand our development model by adding a ‘Post-Graduate’ level of competition that will challenge our players to be the best they can be.”
BRYC features 35 club teams and 22 top coaches, and has a recreational program with a membership of 1,494 players. It features a development model that includes a Micro Academy for ages U5-U8 and other Academy levels up to U18. BRYC teams participate in multiple regional and national competitions, including the USYS National League and the Region I Premier League.
Founded in 1966, BRYC has captured four national championships, 40 regional championships and a pair of USYS National League titles in its history. Among the top teams developed by the club is BRYC 95 Elite, coached by Best, which captured the 2012-13 USYS National Championship.