SAN ANTONIO (April 8, 2016) – San Antonio FC has launched the SAFC Pro Academy, a youth development program for elite boys’ players which will start with a 2004 birth-year team later this year, the club announced today.

In the coming months, SAFC Pro Academy will reveal additional plans for the expansion of its teams and programs through a model of organic growth that will ultimately apply to yield teams at all U.S. Soccer Development Academy age groups.

SAFC Pro Academy teams will be fully-funded at no cost to players selected. This program is part of the professional club’s strategic plan of establishing a nationally-respected youth academy. This will be achieved in a manner that supports the professional team, collaborates with the San Antonio youth soccer community, and offers highest level training and competition for the area’s top players.

Moving forward, SAFC Pro Academy will reveal additional plans for the expansion of its teams and programs through a model of organic growth that will ultimately apply to yield teams at all U.S. Soccer Development Academy age groups.

The objective of the SAFC Pro Academy program is to identify and train the best players in the San Antonio market on a pathway to become a homegrown player for the San Antonio FC professional team, national teams, and/or opportunities in college soccer. In addition to developing skilled and dynamic soccer players, key components of the program will include each player displaying excellent personal character, becoming actively involved in community activities, and focusing on academic performance. The SAFC Pro Academy is structured to be a collaborative initiative between all local youth clubs and organizations in the San Antonio community by the opportunity to be an active part of the player identification process, as well as providing recognition and benefits to such participating clubs .

“We are very excited to launch our Pro Academy program this Fall with our first U12 (2004) team that we will nurture through the development process,” said San Antonio FC Head Coach Darren Powell. “We are looking to actively engage with San Antonio’s youth clubs to have a talented pool of players to represent SAFC and this city at the highest level of competition. San Antonio FC will offer a unique pathway for the most promising young players of South Texas with our fully-funded Pro Academy featuring coaching and competition of nationally-recognized quality.”

The Training Identification Dates for the U12 SAFC Pro Academy team will occur on April 29, May 1 and May 6 at the STAR Soccer Complex with each session taking place from 6-8 p.m. Selection criteria for players will consist of technical skills, decision-making ability, and character amongst other traits. Local area clubs are afforded the opportunity to recommend their top prospects for the Training Identification Dates. U12 SAFC Pro Academy will compete in a 9v9 competition format against other elite domestic and international clubs, including MLS academy teams.

The San Antonio FC first team will play in front of home supporters for the first time at Toyota Field on Saturday, April 9 against Swope Park Rangers, the USL affiliate of Sporting Kansas City. The club defeated Seattle Sounders 2, 3-0, in their first ever match on April 3.

Fans interested in being a part of the inaugural season can place their deposit for 2016 season tickets online at SanAntonioFC.com or by calling 210-444-5MLS. Single-game tickets for individual matches can also be purchased on the club’s website.

Supporters can follow the club by liking San Antonio FC on Facebook, as well as following the team on Twitter (@SanAntonioFC), Instagram (@sanantoniofc) and Snapchat (@SanAntonioFC).