The Sporting Club Network, presented by Price Chopper, is proud to announce a new partnership with Heartland Soccer Association in conjunction with the annual Academy Affiliate Weekend. During the weekend of August 14-16, Heartland’s “Fall Kick Off Challenge” will now include a new division of play – the Academy Affiliate Friendlies. Providing the perfect tune-up ahead of the fall youth soccer season, registration for this exclusive division will be restricted to only Sporting KC’s Academy Affiliate clubs.
First held in 2012, the inaugural Academy Affiliate Friendlies involved five Academy Affiliate clubs from four different states. As preparations now continue for the fourth edition of the tournament, Academy Affiliate teams from at least 16 major Midwestern cities across nine different states are expected to travel to Kansas City to participate in this exclusive event. Participating teams in this affiliate division of play will be scheduled three friendly games at the world-class Swope Soccer Village, the home training grounds of Sporting KC’s senior and Academy teams. In addition to tournament play, all participants will receive a free gift from the Sporting Club Network, be given a chance to meet Sporting KC players and will be able to purchase discounted tickets to the Sporting KC home game versus the Vancouver Whitecaps.
In addition to the Academy Affiliate Friendlies, a number of other initiatives and events will be held as part of the annual Academy Affiliate Weekend in Kansas City. As in years past, select U12 and U14 boys and girls from each club will have the opportunity to take part in the Fall 2015 Academy Affiliate All-Star Experience (
). These top players, identified by their coaches and directors, will have the opportunity to participate in high-level training and development opportunities with Sporting KC’s Academy technical staff, exclusive game-day engagements at Sporting Park and a chance to play in the All-Star exhibition games to conclude the weekend.
Registration information for the Academy Affiliate Friendlies division is posted on the Fall Kick Off Challenge page of HeartlandSoccer.net, as well as the Academy Affiliate Weekend webpage, with registration to remain open until July 20 or until the event is sold out. To stay up-to-date on all things Sporting Club Network, be sure to follow the SCN on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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.
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.
