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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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).
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 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.
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.