Center for Athlete Health and Performance

Vision: To identify, develop and share best practices in long-term youth athlete development.

"The ECNL Center for Athlete Health and Performance is a truly innovative and unique collaboration that will provide information, recommendations and best practices to help stakeholders within youth sports improve the health, safety, and performance of youth athletes. By working with leaders in youth soccer across the country, this represents an extraordinary opportunity to integrate real-world experience with the most relevant current evidence and medical expertise to improve the athlete experience and bridge the gap between academia, medicine and the field."

Dr. Watson, ECNL Chief Medical Advisor

A comprehensive downloadable library filled with information regarding original research within the ECNL..

Youth Sports Science Research and Recommendations

A comprehensive downloadable library filled with information regarding injury reduction resources.

Watson, Drew – Badger Athletic Performance – UW–Madison

About Dr. Andrew Watson

Dr. Andrew M. Watson is a leading sports medicine physician at the University of Wisconsin and UW Health, specializing in athlete performance, injury prevention, and recovery. With more than 130 published studies, his research focuses on youth sport health, overuse injuries, and long-term athlete development. As a key partner of the ECNL Center for Athlete Health and Performance, Dr. Watson ensures all projects are grounded in science, clinical accuracy, and a commitment to athlete well-being.