ECNL Club Operations: Video Technology Best Practices

"Everyone in the club from the 11 age groups has access to Veo," says Mitch Kavanagh, Director of Coaching at Gretna Elite Academy.

Kavanagh's approach represents a systematic transformation in how ECNL clubs operate video technology across their entire organization. Rather than limiting access to older or elite teams, his club provides comprehensive coverage to all players.

This challenges the traditional assumption that video analysis should be reserved for top-level teams within youth soccer clubs.

Gretna Elite Academy's systematic approach to club operations

Mitch Kavanagh oversees coaching operations at Gretna Elite Academy, where he runs the Girls ECNL program while also serving as Assistant Coach at Creighton University Men's Soccer. His dual perspective provides insight into both club management and collegiate preparation requirements.

Gretna Elite operates across multiple age groups and competitive levels, requiring systematic approaches to technology implementation and coach training. The club serves families with varying technological comfort levels and budget constraints.

Kavanagh's experience managing both grassroots and elite development within a single organization gives him unique perspective on operational efficiency and resource allocation in youth soccer clubs.

The challenge of scaling video operations across age groups

Before implementing club-wide video systems, Gretna Elite faced typical operational challenges that affect most youth soccer organizations. "A lot of our coaches aren't in a full-time environment, they have other jobs," Kavanagh explains about the part-time coaching reality.

Traditional video solutions required specialized knowledge and constant manual operation that part-time coaches couldn't realistically manage. Equipment sharing between teams created scheduling conflicts and inconsistent coverage quality.

The club struggled to provide equitable access to video analysis tools across all age groups. Older teams received priority while younger players were left without the visual feedback that could accelerate their development.

Without systematic operational procedures, video technology became more burden than benefit, creating additional work for already overextended coaching staff.

How systematic video operations transformed club efficiency

Kavanagh implemented Veo across all age groups simultaneously, creating operational consistency that eliminated equipment conflicts and training gaps. "It's really simple, it's not complicated. It's literally a green box and you start and stop, and it works, and it does a great job," he explains about the user-friendly approach.

The club-wide implementation solved multiple operational challenges simultaneously. Coaches no longer needed specialized technical training to provide video analysis for their teams. "So being able to have something you know will record the game is massive. You don't have to worry about parents or a volunteer with a handheld camera," Kavanagh notes.

Family engagement improved dramatically when parents could access games they couldn't attend in person. "We've had a lot of parents and grandparents thanking us for that," Kavanagh recalls about the expanded access.

The systematic approach also streamlined college recruiting support. Players across all age groups could create highlight reels using consistent, high-quality footage, and some have even started YouTube channels to showcase their development journey.

Ready to transform your club operations?

Kavanagh's systematic approach shows how comprehensive video operations can enhance efficiency while improving player development outcomes. Want to transform your program? Speak with a Veo specialist today.

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