U8-U19 Elite Competition: 

U8-U12 teams participate in Heartland League. U13-U19 boys can try out for National Academy League (NAL) teams, while girls have the opportunity to join Mid America Development League  (MADL)  teams.

Specialized Training: 

Premier players can participate in exclusive mini-clinics led by Sporting KC’s professional coaching and training staff.

Coaching Development: 

Premier coaches work directly with Sporting KC’s staff throughout the year, gaining valuable insights and hands-on experience.

Proven Curriculum: 

Coaches have access to Sporting KC’s approved training curriculum, integrating top-tier methodologies into their sessions.

SKC Academy Affiliate Benefits: 

Players and coaches can take part in exclusive training, tournaments, and special events reserved for Academy Affiliates.

Inside Access: 

Premier coaches can visit the Sporting KC training center at Swope Park, attend professional team practices, and observe top-level coaching in action.

Our goal is to form teams with players who have similar abilities and experience at the same level of play. ID Sessions, age group evaluations and tryouts will be used to determine a team’s make up, from year to year.  SKV Coaches are evaluated and assigned by our Director of Coaching to best match their individual credentials, experience, and strengths.  

Sporting Kaw Valley offers two different types of competitive/ premier teams (“Local” and “United” based teams) for both male and female soccer players. Local teams are generally for U8-U9 age groups. For United teams, players will practice in two locations to make travel fair for all players.

Our intention is to field at least one “United” team in every age group from U10-U19 in the both the Boys & Girls Premier Divisions. Multiple teams will be formed at every level where there are enough players.

ID Sessions are open to any player from any club and will begin the last week of March.

Age group evaluations are open to any player from any club and will begin the last week of March or early April.

Tryouts will be held in June after State Cup to complete team formation.

This new division includes over 1,200 teams from more than 220 clubs across regional divisions during the regular season. Each division is managed by leading league operators committed to player development, including the National Academy League (NAL) operated by 3Step Soccer, Elite Academy League (EAL), Sporting Development League (SDL), Cobalt Sports, and Cal North Soccer Association.

Regular season play will begin in September for the U13 and U14 age groups, with the U15-U19 age groups starting in late November. Players competing in the Academy Division will remain eligible to participate in high school soccer. The season will feature regional tournaments, opportunities to participate in MLS NEXT national events, and coaching development and education programs.

These high-profile events will serve as marquee talent identification opportunities, attracting college, professional, and national team scouts to evaluate players, offering unparalleled exposure for aspiring athletes. Regional tournaments will also act as qualifiers for the championship event at the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs.

SKV Elite Boys teams have joined the National Academy League (NAL). As a club we strive to improve and offer our players the opportunity to compete at a higher level and provide a platform for our players to showcase their development and talent. The NAL gives us the opportunity to compete with some of the top regional clubs as well as give our players another pathway for development. U13 and U14 Elite Boys teams will be participating in the fall/spring, and the U15-U19 Elite Boys team will play in the Spring.

The National 1 League (N1) is a new, top-tier, team-based youth soccer competition launching in the 2026-27 season, formed by merging US Club Soccer’s National Premier Leagues (NPL) and US Youth Soccer’s National League. It aims to reduce travel costs, simplify the competitive pathway, and foster collaboration, with regionalized play feeding into national playoffs.

Heartland Soccer League is the largest soccer league and tournament host in the United States. From recreational to premier, 30,000+ players and teams have the opportunity to play like competition and skill level in both league and tournaments. Heartland plays at four world class turf facilities: Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex, Wyandotte Sporting Fields, Swope Soccer Village and the new Olathe Soccer Complex (OSC).