Be Valiant

Ep. 45 Episode 23 - Christian Lavers and the ECNL Vision: What Youth Sports Should Look Like

"In this episode of Be Valiant, host Todd Merkow sits down with Christian Lavers — founder and president of the ECNL (Elite Clubs National League) and a lifelong coach who has helped shape the modern landscape of elite youth soccer and college recruiting. Christian shares his own youth sports journey, how his parents approached sports in their household, and what ultimately pulled him from finance into coaching and leadership in the game.

Christian breaks down why the ECNL was created, the original problems it set out to solve on the girls’ side, and how competition and adversity helped sharpen the league’s mission over time. The conversation goes deeper than wins and exposure, exploring what a truly great youth sports experience should feel like for players, parents, and families — and why environment matters as much as outcomes.

Todd and Christian also discuss the changing realities of youth sports today: sideline behavior, communication between parents and coaches, mental health, and why resources like coach education and athlete health research are becoming essential. Christian explains how the ECNL is investing in better coaching, better information, and better experiences — while staying “sport-driven,” not just business-driven.

The episode closes with a fun rapid-fire segment, including Christian’s definition of what it means to Be Valiant: be brave, be honorable, and stand up for what you believe.

Key topics covered

- Christian’s multi-sport background, specialization, and path into coaching

- The origin story of the ECNL and how it evolved into a national platform

- Club standards, league values, and what creates an “aspirational” environment

- Parents, coaches, and communication: building better guardrails

- Youth athlete mental health, sleep, and the importance of credible resources

- High school soccer, balance, and avoiding overly “professionalized” youth sports

- The future of ECNL and what “best experience in the world” really means

Be Valiant. Play Fearless.

Guest: Christian Lavers (Founder & President, ECNL)

Host: Todd Merkow (Founder & CEO, Valiant Sports Society)"