“Earning this accreditation shows the holistic approach we take as a club to the experience we want to provide our players and our dedication to the continued improvements we intend to make as a club to benefit our players.” – Tom Roe, Northwind SC DOC
Northwind SC is the first program to receive the Illinois Youth Soccer Premier Club Accreditation, an honor that recognizes clubs excelling in key areas of youth sports. This recognition highlights their commitment to more than just wins and losses, but rather the importance of overall quality and the player experience.
“As a club, we are proud to be the first club to have earned this accreditation,” said Tom Roe, Northwind Director of Coaching. “Earning this accreditation shows the holistic approach we take as a club to the experience we want to provide our players and our dedication to the continued improvements we intend to make as a club to benefit our players. In the ever-changing role of a DOC, earning this accreditation was important to keep the club accountable in what matters the most when leading a soccer club, and that is the experience of the players. All too often we, as club leaders, coaches parents, and administrators, forget that is about the kids experience and not ours.”
To earn Premier Club status, a club must earn five badges by meeting specific criteria in five pillars of youth sports: Coaching Education, Parent Engagement, Player Development, Safeguarding & Participation.
“Congratulations to Northwind and their Director of Coaching Tom Roe, who has helped to inspire players on and off the field, as well as creating an active learning environment atmosphere for coaches, players and stakeholders,” Adam Howarth, Illinois Youth Soccer Director of Coaching said. “As a CTL Level 1 Graduate, Tom and Northwind are pushing hard to create better environments to lead to better coaches and most importantly better players.”
While Northwind is the first to earn the Premier Club status, 16 other clubs have started their path to the recognition by earning at least one badge. You can find complete details about the Premier Club Accreditation here.