about us
A nonprofit, community-based soccer club where player development and joy go hand-in-hand.
Since 2010, East Bay Eclipse has offered year-round programming for youth players ages 4 to 18. We're built on a simple belief: when kids love the game, everything else—skill development, teamwork, resilience, competitive success—follows naturally.
why we exist
Youth sports has a problem: it stopped being fun.
Recent national research shows that the #1 reason kids quit sports is because "it's not fun anymore." Costs have soared 46% since 2019, creating pressure on families. Kids now average only 1.63 sports and quit by age 11. Teen participation is declining even as younger kids increase.
Parents feel it too—the anxiety of watching your child play, the pressure to ensure your investment "pays off," the comparison with other families.
This is why we founded Eclipse in 2010.
We wanted to create a space where everyone could play soccer—where the love of the game came first. That doesn't mean we're not competitive. It means competition serves development, not the other way around.
We'll be honest: as we've grown, we've faced growing pains. In the push to compete, to expand, to meet expectations, we sometimes forgot who we were and why we started.
In 2026, we're getting back to our roots.
We believe soccer should deliver on its most basic promise: fun. Not as a nice-to-have, but as a non-negotiable. Because when kids love playing, they stay in the game longer, develop better, and carry those lessons into the rest of their lives.
the eclipse approach
joy is our North Star
When research asked parents what they want most from their child's coach, 73% said "creating a fun environment"—ahead of winning, skills training, or college prep. Our coaches receive youth development training focused on building confidence and fostering joy. Research shows 93% of trained coaches feel more confident, and their athletes report more joy and higher likelihood to continue playing.
development over performance
We can't reliably identify future stars before puberty—early bloomers aren't always tomorrow's top players. That's why we invest in ALL our players, with equal playing time through age 12 and a focus on long-term growth over short-term results. We build deeper rosters and lifelong players.
health and balance
Knee injuries account for 53% of youth sports injuries in soccer. We incorporate neuromuscular warm-ups at every practice and educate families about injury prevention. We encourage multi-sport participation and free play time—research shows varied movement patterns create better athletes and prevent overuse injuries.
a place where everyone belongs
Kids quit sports when they don't feel welcome. At Eclipse, we're committed to creating an environment where every player belongs—regardless of background, experience level, or how they learn the game. We celebrate different playing styles, support players at every skill level, and make sure every family feels part of the Eclipse community.
the bottom line
At Eclipse, we measure success not just by wins, but by whether kids still love soccer at the end of the season.
We develop players. We develop people. We protect childhood.
That's the Eclipse difference.
