The Sporting Club Network (SCN) and Kansas State Youth Soccer Association (KSYSA) have announced a long-term partnership focused on providing member clubs of both organizations additional coaching education opportunities and further access to Swope Soccer Village, the world-class venue located in Kansas City, Missouri’s historic Swope Park.
“We are excited to officially partner with KSYSA, an organization that we share many of the same youth soccer initiatives,” said Betsy Maxfield, Sporting KC VP of Youth Soccer. “We believe KSYSA and Sporting KC have the responsibility to continue growing the game of soccer, especially at the youth level, within our state and beyond. This partnership will help us continue to do that.”
The first key initiative of this partnership began earlier this month when KSYSA hosted their 2016 Girls State Cup championship games at Swope Soccer Village. 2014 was the first year the two organizations were able to accomplish this, when Missouri Youth Soccer also hosted their respective Girls State Cup games, alongside the NCAA Big XII Soccer Championships. The ability to synchronize and collectively host these unique events at one complex, while bringing together different levels of the game, is something both sides will continue to pursue during future co-hosted events.
In addition to improving these events, the combined efforts of KSYSA and the SCN will allow for more frequent coaching education and enhanced on-field experiences all across Kansas. A focus may be placed especially in areas with significant SCN or Academy Affiliate membership presence, to provide those member clubs more opportunities to co-host their own courses when the demand exists.
“We are thrilled to have solidified this partnership with Sporting KC," said Chris Duke, Executive Director of the Kansas State Youth Soccer Association. "Both organizations have shown their ability and passion to enhance youth soccer in Kansas City, and this collaboration will be something very special that will take youth soccer in the region to another level.”
More about Kansas Youth Soccer Association:
Kansas State Youth Soccer Association provides nonprofit, public, educational soccer development and competition to its members. KSYSA’s current membership consists of over 28,000 youth players, 1,600 coaches, 1,600 referees and thousands of volunteers through its network of over 30 member leagues/clubs across the state of Kansas. For more information on Kansas Youth Soccer Association, visit www.kansasyouthsoccer.org
More about Sporting Club Network:
The Sporting Club Network (SCN) is an affiliation program between athletic organizations and Sporting Club, the parent company of Sporting Kansas City (SKC) and Swope Park Rangers (SPR). Through this new and innovative partnership program, member clubs and organizations have exclusive access to opportunities and events tied to Sporting Club’s professional soccer teams and facilities. The combined membership of the program exceeds over 70,000 members, highlighted by the largest Academy Affiliate program across the U.S. with 15 branded affiliates representing the Sporting name and helping support the club’s larger player development goals.
For more information on the Sporting Club Network, visit www.sportingkc.com/scn or follow the SCN on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
