Tottenham Hotspur extends its US youth soccer partnership programme

The Club has added a second youth partner club to a growing Global Coaching programme aimed at supporting the development of grassroots soccer in North America.

El Cerrito Futbol Club, based in California’s Bay Area, will adopt our world renowned football philosophy, with coaches from the Tottenham Hotspur Global Coaching team working alongside the club throughout the season.

Coaches will ensure and maintain high standards, while overseeing player development using methods based around a philosophy of stylish, attacking football. East Bay Tottenham Hotspur players will also play matches in our world famous kit.

The same partnership model has already been established in Florida, where Tallahassee United became Tallahassee Tottenham Hotspur in August.

Former US Men’s National Team and our current goalkeeper, Brad Friedel, believes the Club’s involvement at grassroots level can have a significant impact on the development of young players in his home country.

Brad said: “We are delighted to announce our latest partnership with El Cerrito. Our Global Coaching team works across the world to develop young players and educate coaches, getting across a unique philosophy the Club has always prided itself on – attacking football played with style and flair. This programme is a real investment into the grassroots of US soccer and a fantastic opportunity for both organisations."

Grant Cornwell, Head of Tottenham Hotspur Global Coaching, added: “The Tottenham Hotspur Global Coaching programme aims to create and deliver the best learning environment to encourage and develop the skills and techniques of young players throughout the world. As has already been seen in Tallahassee, we are creating pathways and opportunities for young players and coaches at grassroots level in the US through this innovative partnership model.”

Manish Doshi, Director of Coaching/Technical Director, East Bay Tottenham Hotspur, added: “Tottenham Hotspur has a proven and successful model of player development, and through this partnership, El Cerrito will continue its philosophy of developing players and coaches by building self-esteem and creative abilities.”

Tottenham Hotspur’s Global Coaching programme has a proven track record of player development at grassroots level across the world, with long-term partnerships already established across North America with soccer associations in California, Maryland and Texas.

The programme operated successfully alongside the Club’s pre-season tour of the United States and Canada, which saw the Club receive a tremendous amount of support from its growing fanbase in the region, which includes 30 Official Supporters Clubs – more than any other Premier League club.

The growing interest in Tottenham Hotspur was displayed by an audience of 383,000 viewers that watched the Club’s friendly with Chicago Fire on ESPN – the highest US television viewing figure out of all friendly matches played that weekend.

Meanwhile, the formation of Tallahassee Tottenham Hotspur and East Bay Tottenham Hotspur represents a significant step in the Club’s continued efforts to develop grassroots soccer in the US, providing exceptional training opportunities while creating an integrated platform for players aged 4-18 to advance from recreation to competitive play, if they choose.

El Cerrito Futbol Club(ECFC) has been part of the El Cerrito and Bay Area Soccer Community for over 25 years, providing recreational and competitive soccer programs for over  900 children and adults aged between 3 and 25 years of age.