Sporting Kansas City, Sporting Club and the YMCA of Greater Kansas City unveiled a new partnership on Monday to launch Sporting Tykes, a soccer program for kids between the ages of 3-5 years old.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for Sporting Club to partner with a great local community organization and as a result, offer an opportunity that will impact kids and families throughout Kansas City,” said Greg Cotton, Chief Operating Officer of Sporting Club. “Participation in youth soccer is extremely popular in this region and Sporting Kansas City will now have an even greater reach in establishing a positive experience as kids first enter the sport.”
The program will begin this spring at 12 of the YMCA of Greater Kansas City’s 18 locations and will provide six one-hour sessions that will include structured practices and organized games. Each meeting will be designed to build confidence, develop teamwork, teach social skills and introduce the basics of soccer in a positive and fun environment.
"The Y is fortunate to partner with Sporting Club to strengthen our community through this new Sporting Tykes program," said David Byrd, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Kansas City. "This fits perfectly with our commitment to giving kids an opportunity to be active and reach their fullest potential."
Participants in the Sporting Tykes soccer program will have the opportunity to interact with Sporting Kansas City players and beginning in the fall, will receive a ticket to a Sporting Kansas City match at state-of-the-art LIVESTRONG Sporting Park.
Additionally, volunteer coaches in the Sporting Tykes program will be able to benefit from access to a youth-level coaching license course and the coaching education series through the Sporting Club Network.
All parents in the Sporting Tykes program will become members of Sporting Club and membership will be offered to all of the YMCA of Greater Kansas City’s nearly 200,000 members.
The Y, a partner of LIVESTRONG, promotes its mission of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility through a wide variety of programming and the YMCA of Greater Kansas City has served the metropolitan area since 1860.
Sporting Kansas City will host “Y” night in conjunction with their match on Saturday, May 5th, featuring discounted tickets for YMCA members and special gameday activities. YMCA members are encouraged to contact Sporting Kansas City account executive Zach Robinson at 913-387-3421 for ticket information.
About Sporting Club
Sporting Club is owned by a group of local Kansas City business and community leaders comprised of Neal Patterson, Cliff Illig, Pat Curran, Greg Maday and Robb Heineman. Its flagship Major League Soccer property, Sporting Kansas City, is the only locally owned professional sports team in the city and the club prides itself on its commitment and vision to provide high-performance entertainment and consumer experiences.
About YMCA of Greater Kansas City
With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the YMCA of Greater Kansas City is committed to strengthening communities. The Y engages men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. With a history of serving the Kansas City area since 1860, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. Visit www.KansasCityYMCA.org for more information.
