The Sporting Club Network, presented by Price Chopper, in conjunction with Heartland Soccer Association is proud to announce the formation of the Sporting Kansas City Academy Affiliate League (SKC-AAL). Sporting Kansas City has always been at the forefront of player development and cultivating a proactive mentality in youth soccer, and this league transmits a direct correlation to this culture and our current evolvement over the last four years with our affiliate programs.

“The SKC-AAL will not only provide a new, unique environment in player development, but it will also deliver our affiliate teams the platform to test their skills against the top competition across the Midwest,” said Betsy Maxfield, VP of Youth Soccer Projects.

This approach will further align the ever-growing Academy Affiliate network of clubs with Sporting Kansas City’s Development Academy. This includes, but is not limited to style of play, training habits, tactical approach, and overall methodology to improving youth development.

Benefits of participating in the SKC-AAL extend beyond just the realm of player development, offering clubs the opportunity to view fellow affiliate markets and witness the broad reach of the Sporting Kansas City family, all the while growing the game of soccer throughout the Midwest. Ultimately, this vision will continue to enhance the Sporting Kansas City player development pathway, providing even more touch points throughout the year for Academy Affiliate players to test themselves and strive to achieve new heights within the game.

Sporting St. Croix Director of Coaching, Nathan Klonecki, echoes this sentiment. “After attending the Region II Tournament this past week & seeing a number of other affiliates, we are excited to play against that level of competition more regularly throughout the year," he said. "Sporting St. Croix is excited to take advantage of yet another great opportunity that Sporting KC has provided its affiliates.”

Participation in the AAL will be restricted exclusively to Academy Affiliates of Sporting Kansas City, with player registrations accepted through US Youth Soccer and US Club. Each fall and spring youth soccer season the SCN and Heartland Soccer Association will host a minimum of three play weekends. The first installment of this league will be hosted during the Fall 2015 Youth Soccer Season in Kansas City, Des Moines, and St. Louis. Registration is open currently to affiliate teams U11 up to U18 now through Friday, July 10. To register your Academy Affiliate team, and to learn more about this groundbreaking new league, visit www.sportingkc.com/AAL.

About Heartland Soccer Association

Heartland Soccer Association operates the largest tournaments in the Midwest and is recognized as one of the largest and most competitive youth soccer leagues in the United States. Their leagues accept players of all skill levels, including recreational and premier level players and teams. Each year, over 170 different soccer clubs compete at Heartland.

Both league play and tournaments are held on synthetic soccer turf at the world-class soccer facilities of Overland Park Soccer Complex and Swope Soccer Village. Grass games are played at Heritage Soccer Park and Lone Elm Soccer Park. To learn more about Heartland Soccer Association, visit their homepage here.

About the Sporting Club Network and Academy Affiliates

The Sporting Club Network, presented by Price Chopper, is a groundbreaking membership of athletes and athletic organizations created to affiliate all interested soccer and other athletic organizations in the Midwest with Sporting Club and Sporting Kansas City. This unique and innovative network opportunity provides exclusive access to a professional soccer organization.

In addition to being members of the Sporting Club Network, select youth soccer clubs may also be eligible to rebrand as an Academy Affiliate of Sporting Kansas City. Sporting Kansas City Academy Affiliates provide their members with a direct connection to Sporting Kansas City Senior and Academy teams, while providing a clear and direct pathway to the collegiate and professional ranks of the game. Additionally, Sporting Kansas City Academy Affiliates enjoy significantly increased benefits from basic SCN membership. To learn more about the Sporting Club Network, or to become a member visit the SCN homepage.

