LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Youth soccer players in Louisville will have a new opportunity to develop their skills starting this summer.
Soccer Holdings, LLC announced the launch of Youth Academies for local boys and girls. Louisville City FC and Proof Louisville FC, which will launch in 2021, will have youth academies associated with their teams. They will begin with U-8 through U-19 this summer, open for kids 7 to 18 years old.
"Player development and creating a pathway to becoming a professional is vital for all of us in this organization," LCFC Head Coach John Hackworth said.
Near the end of March, tryouts for each team will be announced. The selection process will be open in order to be inclusive and accessible to all.
"Kids who deserve these opportunities will receive them," explained Director of Youth Development, Mario Sanchez. "We don't want finances to get in the way. There is a model and we have to help fund it, but we're looking at every different option, foundation, sponsorship, different ways of making it affordable for all."
For pre-high school players, the season will run from late July to the middle of May, and for high school players, the season will run from late fall through late May.
"One day, ultimately our goal is to see these boys and girls playing for the men's team or the upcoming women's team," said Sanchez.
Teams across the world use Youth Academies to groom players at a young age.
The professional training is how former Louisville City FC Coach, and now Soccer Holdings Executive Vice President James O'Conner got his start.
"The goal for the majority of professional teams is to develop your own players. The academy system gives us an opportunity to be able to build philosophy, build technical skills, tactical skills, mentality," O'Connor said.
The teams will train and play in the new soccer facility which will be built at Champions Park this spring.
"Launching youth academies for boys and girls is an important next step in both the USL and the NWSL. As well continue to grow as a club with a focus on improving quality, being able to develop the next generation of stars in our hometown is paramount," President Brad Estes said.
For more information, visit loucity.com.
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