KYSO, Kaneland United Soccer Club relaunch as Kaneland United SC

The Kaneland Youth Soccer Organization and Kaneland United Soccer Club recently announced that the programs have combined and relaunched as Kaneland United SC.

"People in the community know KYSO for a great recreational soccer experience and Kaneland United for a strong travel soccer program," said Sean Carmody, club president. "But many people didn't realize those programs were always part of the same club. Kaneland United SC brings the programs together."

"This relaunch allows us to get rid of a lot of duplication, simplify how we operate and have one name in the community," added Carmody.

The club has introduced a new club logo and has launched a new club website at www.KanelandSC.com.

Club programs have been expanded and provide training and matches for nearly every stage of youth soccer including; Little Knights, an introduction to soccer program for 3- and 4-year-olds; recreational soccer for boys and girls, age 5 to 17; academy soccer, a skills development program for 8- to 10-year-olds; competitive soccer for players beginning at the U-10 level; and recreational referee development and soccer coach development and training.

"Our TOPSoccer program is something we've also expanded and are pleased to offer for free for special needs players," said Carmody.

KYSO was the first Illinois Youth Soccer affiliate program to offer TOPSoccer, a program specifically designed to provide soccer for special needs players. "And offering TOPS for free goes along with our community involvement focus."

The club's foundation is based on community focus and four key concepts, including:

• That soccer is the people's game and the club will provide an affordable, high quality soccer experience, training and player development across all programs;

• That youth soccer is fun, everyone plays, the club emphasizes development over winning and adopts best practices of positive coaching;

• That participation in youth soccer develops children physically, mentally and socially, preparing them for bright futures and contributors to the community;

• That the community built around the game of soccer is a touchstone for lifelong friendships, mutual support & respect and a vehicle for connecting with each other.

"We think participation in youth sports is an important part of growing up and learning," said Jason Diebold, the club's new director of coaching. "There's no better sport than soccer to learn creativity, teamwork, sportsmanship, make friends and be fit and active."

"That's the great thing about soccer. We teach the kids skills, but when the game starts, they're in charge. It's not about coaches telling kids what to do and when to do it. It's about letting the players apply the skills they've learned in training and learning to problem solve and think for themselves," Diebold continued.

According to Carmody, the club will remain incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit as Kaneland Youth Soccer Organization, but will be known and branded as Kaneland United SC.

"It's really an exciting time for the program," added Carmody. "There's a lot of change and new faces and new opportunities but we're also really focused on the values and beliefs we've always had."

Affordability and a quality experience are two focus areas for both Mike Mitchinson and Mo Gannon in the club programs. Mitchinson has expanded his role to include running the competitive soccer program and Gannon is now running the recreational program.

"Some of the best players in the world learned to play soccer in playing pickup games," said Mitchinson. "We're confident that with the trainers we have we can develop kids into quality players and do it in a way that makes it easier on mom and dad."

According to Gannon, the recreational program has added several new programs to help make playing youth soccer easier for families and reduce costs including introducing reusable uniforms, starting a cleat closet, offering discounts for returning families and financial assistance for families with a demonstrated need.

"The recreational and Little Knights programs introduce kids to the game and we're trying to make it easier for more kids to participate and stick with it," Gannon said. "For me, it would be great to see the six year olds in today's programs play together as a group all the way into high school and end up on the front page as state champions."

Other efforts the club is involved with are:

• Working with Blackberry Township and the Kane County Forest Preserve on development of the McNair 2 site for youth sports and soccer use;

• Continuing the club's working relationship with the Kaneland Unit District 302 and expanding with the Elburn Lions Club;

• Continuing the relationship with the Waubonsee Community College soccer programs for mentoring and teaching younger players soccer skills;

• Providing free TOPSoccer program for special needs players;

• Helping volunteer recreational coaches expand on their knowledge and support for coach licensing and certification;

• Launching a soccer referee development program designed to help young referees earn their U.S. Soccer Federation referee certification;

• Kaneland Kicks Cancer fundraising for local families affected by cancer and volunteerism in the community

• Recruiting and 11 new board members and volunteers to join existing club leadership, which includes: Sean Carmody, president; Mike Mitchinson, vice president, Competitive Soccer; Mo Gannon, vice president, Recreational Soccer; Kirsten Pehl, vice president, club administration; Jason Diebold, vice president, and director of coaching; Dan Valentini, vice president, finance; Tom Guernon, director of marketing and development; and Tabitha Sand, director of risk management.

Volunteers include: Jennifer Flory, Lauren Boryc, Lauren Bowgren, Frank Nitsche, Mike VanDinther, Rachel Zimmerman, Katie Love, Kristin Davison, Eric Matthys, Robert Johnson, Rob Sand and Scott Weber.

"We're a volunteer-driven and community-focused club," said Carmody. "So the relationships we have in the area are critical for success as well as the time and commitment from our volunteers and sponsors. We've had record enrollments for our fall 2014 and spring 2015 programs, so feel we're on the right track."