Topeka Academy

Topeka, KS

SKV Academy Soccer

Sporting Kaw Valley (SKV) is dedicated to helping players maximize their individual and collective potential. The SKV Boys/Girls Academy in Topeka is an intermediate developmental program that focuses on developing the necessary technical, tactical, physical and psychological skills for youth soccer players. 

  • How is Topeka Academy structured?

    The SKV Boys/Girls Academy is comprised of two different age groups: U8-U9 and U10-U12 though players outside of those age ranges may still play after an evaluation. We will have a mandatory player evaluation prior to the start of the season so we can form balanced teams and assess the players' level of development so we can design an appropriate training plan. There will be two practice sessions each week. The curriculum is age-appropriate and instruction is provided by qualified coaches under the guidance of the Academy director.


    Teams may change each season to enable the SKV Boys/Girls Academy to ensure the teams are balanced and remain competitive. This league promotes local competitive play among teams within SKV Boys/Girls Academy. There are two seasons: fall and spring. Player fees do not include uniforms.

  • Why Topeka Academy?

    While we recognize the importance of competition (and winning), we believe strongly in the developmental benefits of creating and maintaining training environments that appropriately balance both individual and collective success and challenge.  The SKV Boys/Girls Academy represents a developmental bridge, between Recreation and Premier level soccer, with the primary goals of having fun and developing a passion for the sport of soccer, while ensuring that our young athletes are developing the appropriate skills necessary to better enjoy the game and be more successful throughout their playing careers.

  • Topeka Academy coaches

    Coaches and trainers in the Academy will follow an age-appropriate curriculum that is based upon the US Youth Soccer recommended guidelines for developing players within specific age groups. Qualified coaches and trainers who are supervised by the SKV Boys/Girls Academy Director(s) will provide instruction.  

  • Age Groups & Team Placement

    This year, the SKV Boys/Girls Academy in Topeka will be only open to players aged 7-12. Players that participate in the Academy will be evaluated before the fall and spring seasons and placed on an age and developmentally appropriate teams within their assigned division (i.e. Division 2 for 7 and 8 year olds; and Division 1 for 9 and 10 year old players, and U12 division for 10 and 11 year olds).



  • Practice, Season, & Game Structure

    Each season, fall and spring, teams will have seven games. Fall teams remain together for the spring season. There will be two practices per week. The first practice of the week will focus on specific developmental objectives and be lead jointly by our Academy Director(s) and assigned coaches/ trainers. The second practice of each week will be led by the team's individually assigned coach. Games will be played primarily in Topeka and Lawrence on Saturdays with the possibility of two or more games being played each season in Manhattan (against teams in the SKV Academy).


    Each season, fall and spring, teams will have 8 games. There will be two practices per week. 


    Games will be played primarily in Topeka and Lawrence on Saturdays with the possibility of games also being played each season in Manhattan (against other teams in the SKV Academy).

About Topeka Academy Soccer

The Girls Academy is an intermediate program emphasizing fundamental technical skills and their tactical application. Priority will be given to teaching game intelligence, or "soccer IQ". The curriculum is age-appropriate and instruction is provided by qualified coaches under the guidance of the Academy director.

  • The Big Picture

    • Girls Academy is comprised of two different age groups: U8/U9 and U10/U11/U12, though players outside of those age ranges may still play after an evaluation. We will have a mandatory player evaluation prior to the start of the season so we can form balanced teams and assess the players' level of development so we can design an appropriate training plan. There will be two practice sessions each week. The director will design the curriculum and oversee the staff coaches.
    • Players will practice as a team some of the time, and divided in groups based on ability some of the time. Ability training is the best way to develop all players, so they are evenly matched and have the optimal ration of challenge vs success.

    • Teams may change each season to enable the girls to ensure the teams are balanced and remain competitive. This league promotes local competitive play among teams within Girls Academy, and most games are played at the YSI Sports Complex. There are two seasons: fall and spring. Player fees do not include uniforms.
  • Fall Format

    • The fall season will consist of 8 games.
    • Standings are kept, but no trophies are awarded.
    • Check the calendar at the bottom of the page for game days. 
    • Player evaluations will be held for all players. Times and location will be announced - click on the calendar on top of this page.  
    • Don't miss the Season Kickoff Camp, time and date TBA.
    • Fall practices will start after school starts. 
    • Players participating in the Academy Select tournament teams will start practice earlier (TBA).
  • Spring Format

    • The spring season will consist of 8 games. Team standings after the first five games may be used to determine the seeding for the Classic Cup tournament. The last three games of the spring will be played as part of the Classic Cup tournament. Two pools in each age group will be formed. Teams will play three round-robin games. The pool winners will play a championship game. Trophies and medals are awarded. 
    • Check the calendar on top of this page for game dates.
    • Player evaluations will be held for all players. Times and location will be announced - click on the calendar on top of this page.  
    • Spring practices will start in March. Players participating in the Academy Select tournament teams will start practice earlier (TBA).

ABOUT GIRLS ACADEMY

The Boys Academy is an intermediate program focused on fundamental technical skills and their tactical application. Priority will be given to teaching game intelligence, or "soccer IQ".


The curriculum is age-appropriate and follows US Youth Soccer guidelines. Instruction is provided by qualified coaches under the guidance of the Boys Academy director. Players aged 7 through 12 are eligible. This league promotes local competitive play among teams within SKV, and most games are played at the Clinton Lake Youth Sports Complex. Some games may be played in Topeka or Manhattan when we play our member teams from that city.

  • What are the seasons?

    There are two seasons: fall and spring. Fall teams remain together for the spring season, although the fees for each season are paid separately. Players are rostered from August to May. Player fees do not include uniforms. Divisions currently include U8, U10 (Division 1 and 2), U12. 


    We also have U14 (Junior Academy) and U18 (Senior Academy) divisions.  Players practice twice each week. Games are played on Saturday and occasionally on a Sunday or weeknight. 

  • Fall Season Format

    • The fall season will consist of 8 games.
    • Standings are kept, but no trophies are awarded.
    • Check the calendar below for game days. 
    • Player evaluations will be held for all players. Times and location will be announced - click on the calendar on top of this page.  
    • Don't miss the Season Kickoff Camp, time and date TBA.
    • Fall practices will start after school starts. 
    • Players participating in the Academy Select tournament teams will start practice earlier (TBA).

  • Spring Season Format

    • The spring season will consist of 8 games. Team standings after the first five games may be used to determine the seeding for the Classic Cup tournament. The last three games of the spring will be played as part of the Classic Cup tournament. Two pools in each age group will be formed. Teams will play three round-robin games. The pool winners will play a championship game. Trophies and medals are awarded. 
    • Check the calendar below for game dates.
    • Player evaluations will be held for new players. Times and location will be announced - click on the calendar on top of this page.  
    • Spring practices will start in March. Players participating in the Academy Select tournament teams will start practice earlier (TBA).

About Boys Academy


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