Northern Utah United (NUU) board member Calvin Sharp recently delivered a State of the Club address, reflecting on the club’s growth, achievements, and vision for the future. What began as a personal journey to provide his daughter with an opportunity to play soccer has evolved into a deep appreciation for NUU’s role in shaping young athletes beyond the game.
NUU by the Numbers
Now in its fourth year since transitioning from a collection of independent teams to a unified club with shared uniforms, culture, and development philosophies, NUU has grown into a major force in youth soccer, boasting:
1,200+ players competing in over 2,000 games annually
70+ coaches, supported by numerous assistant coaches and team managers
A dedicated, yet lean staff—two full-time and five part-time employees—running a club of a size that typically requires 5-10 full-time staff
A significant financial commitment to the young soccer players of Northern Utah, with over half of the club’s budget dedicated to field rentals, maintenance, and equipment
Major Accomplishments
The past year has been a landmark one for NUU, featuring several key milestones:
Securing a $200,000 grant ($50,00 a year) to support club operations; staffing, programming, field, equipment and maintenance over the next four years—ultimately assisting in achieving a major goal to increase services without significant cost increases to the club members
Partnering with Avalanche, which brought 13 new teams into NUU and added three highly skilled professionals to the club’s management staff
Secured acceptance into the ECNL-RL Girls league—one of only four clubs in Utah to do so—expanding the club’s competitive opportunities and player development pathways
Expanding training facilities, added a new location on 10th West
Implementing standardized coaching curriculum and training, enhancing unity in coaching methods across all teams
Growing the Destination Soccer program, which continues to prepare more young players with high-level opportunities
Achieving success at regional, state, and national levels, demonstrating the club’s rising stature in the soccer community
A Community Effort
Sharp emphasized that none of these achievements would be possible without the generosity and dedication of parents, volunteers, sponsors, and donors who invest their time and resources into making NUU a success.
Looking ahead, the club is committed to expanding training and game spaces, improving programs, and creating even more opportunities for players to develop both on and off the field.
“I am in awe of the talented individuals who make up the NUU family,” Sharp said. “To the parents, coaches, volunteers, and most importantly, the players—thank you for making this club what it is. Everything we do is to help you grow, learn, and succeed.”