KANSAS CITY, MO (June 8, 2023) – The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) and Northland Sports Alliance (NSA) are pleased to announce a partnership between the local AYSO Region serving Kansas City and NSA, to provide more playing opportunities for the community. This alignment will reinvigorate recreational soccer in the area, creating more accessible and affordable program offerings for all.
AYSO has made it a focus to partner with organizations whose missions and values align with the organization. NSA’s mission of fostering a positive learning environment to develop both young people’s athletic ability and character is the perfect fit for AYSO’s values and mission to enrich children’s lives through soccer.
“AYSO is and always has been about celebrating and enhancing youth soccer at the community level. Joining forces with Northland Sports Alliance – a community treasure that shares our mission and values — represents a tremendous opportunity for families in the area,” shared Dan Howald, Senior Director of Program Implementation, AYSO. “We’re excited to work together to deliver real player development in a fun, family-friendly, recreation-based program.”
“Our mission at Northland Sports Alliance is to provide recreational sports opportunities for kids and families in the Northland who just want to play, have fun, and learn with their friends,” said Stephanie Schieber, Executive Director, NSA. “Partnering with the AYSO, with their long history of providing world class soccer training and coaching opportunities, will bring together two likeminded organizations to take recreational soccer to the next level, continuing a tradition, we started over 50 years ago.”
As noted above, the partnership will be in conjunction with the local AYSO Region 1161, who are excited about the opportunity it provides for their current program, as Mark Dieckman, AYSO Regional Commissioner, recently shared. ‘’I’ve been around various soccer leagues throughout Missouri and Kansas for over 30 years as a referee, coach, regional registrar, and Regional Commissioner of AYSO Region 1161. Well run leagues are those that have quality coaching and instruction for players, a pathway for player development, and most of all, one where players and families have fun learning the game of soccer. Both AYSO and NSA have these qualities in their programs. Quality soccer isn’t about the price paid, but the quality of instruction and coaching. The AYSO/NSA relationship strengthens soccer development in the Northland by placing both longstanding clubs under one umbrella, which will provide the resources where players can develop to their fullest potential without having to leave the AYSO/NSA program for another program. Players can start as young as 3 years-old, and play all the way to their high school soccer career.”
The partnership officially begins this July, but registration is now open for Fall Soccer! Click Here to register. Several events are planned through the summer for the community to learn more about the relationship and experience the game. More information to come, but please note upcoming key dates:
- Parent virtual Information Nights: July 26th and July 27th
- AYSO/NSA Summer Camp: August 7th– 11th
- In-person Coach Meeting: August 24th
- Field Grand Opening: August, 25 – 27
For more information, contact:
Yvonne Lara
YvonneLara@ayso.org
(424) 221-7971
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About AYSO
Established in 1964, AYSO is a national nonprofit organization that develops and delivers quality youth soccer programs, which promote a fun, family environment based on AYSO’s Six Philosophies: Everyone Plays®, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship, and Player Development. Today, AYSO has 1.6 million players, parents, siblings and volunteers. For more information, visit www.AYSO.org.
About Northland Sports Alliance
Northland Sports Alliance (NSA) is proud of the family-centered atmosphere that it promotes. The goal of the Northland Sports Alliance is to foster a positive learning environment that allows young people not only to develop their athletic ability but also to develop their character.
