Milwaukee Kickers Soccer Club

Fall 2012 - Spring 2013 Milwaukee Kickers
U6-U18 Registration is Now Open!
Click Here to Get Started.

Milwaukee Kickers will join the Wisconsin Developmental Academy    
for U11-U18 Boys and Girls.

The Beginning
In the autumn of 2011, the WYSA Executive Committee and Director of Coaching held discussions on the progress of club soccer and player development in the State of Wisconsin.  There was consensus amongst the group that the landscape of soccer needed reform. A discussion ensued about the state of soccer and ways in which club soccer could be re-organized via participation in a league where the primary focus would be to promote player development.

The principles outlined by the Federation and the U.S. National program were foundational to the discussion.  In April 2012, a group of 20 charter clubs was formed to set forth a clear outline of purpose and principle which would follow some of the best practices observed by the top soccer clubs in the world.

With the leadership of the Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association (WYSA) discussions began associated with forming a league devoted to an unprecedented focus on player and club development. The Club Directors of Coaching would play a primary role in fashioning principles and operation of the League, based on their soccer experience, expertise and proximity to players, coaches and parents who influence the development of the game.

The WYSA Leadership and State Coaching Directors agreed on the value of such a League and its potential impact on the development of soccer in the State.

Along with the WYSA the charter clubs have agreed to apply the principles that define its new league under the auspices of the Wisconsin Developmental Academy. The charter clubs will embrace the responsibility of leadership to work collaboratively with WYSA and the State Coaching Directors to continue defining and implementing "the best developmental practices and principles" that will accelerate the evolution of soccer in the state of Wisconsin. 

Purpose of the WDA
The WDA was formed to enhance player, team, coach and club development. The game, the players and the coaches will be the central focus of the league.  This game centric approach allows for long-term player development to occur.

Principles of the WDA
The WDA program provides the optimum developmental environment for the top soccer players, coaches and clubs in the state by emphasizing development through quality training and meaningful competition.  For this reason, clubs that have the appropriate structure, coaching and administrative personnel, player and team pools were invited to participate in the program. The 20 charter clubs accepted in the Inaugral year of the League meet these standards and they include:

Appleton Soccer Club
Bavarian Soccer Club
Brookfield Soccer Association
Croatian Eagles Soccer Club
DePere Soccer Club
Elm Grove Soccer Club
FC Milwaukee Soccer Club
FC Green Bay Soccer Club
Kettle Moraine United Soccer Club
Lake Country United Soccer Club
Madison 56er's Soccer Club
Madison FC
Mequon Soccer Club
Milwaukee Kickers
Milwaukee Sport Club
North Shore United Soccer Club
Racine Area Soccer Association (RASA)
Rush Wisconsin Soccer Club
S.C. Waukesha
United F.C. (KASL)

Features of the Academy
There are a number of unique features adopted by the Academy to promote the ideals of players, coach and club development.  A number of important features include:

No Promotion or Relegation of Teams.  An important priority of the League is to eliminate the pressure to win at an early age.  Winning, to either maintain a team's position in a league or, to secure the right for promotion, can contribute to decisions at the club level that can be counter-productive to player and team selection and development.  Changing the environment and condition of competition best allows for the attainment of the goal to develop players in the league.

Player Identification.  A central focus of the league is to identify and promote the best players in the state. During the season, over a series of league matches, players are evaluated for tactical, physical and psychological characteristics that will distinguish their ability in relation to their peers.  Players selected from the league will be recommended for additional training and possible participation in other events.  The State Directors of Coaching will work with Directors of Coaching of the twenty charter clubs to identify additional opportunities for the top players in the league. 

Wisconsin College Showcase Tournament.  The league will sponsor the first State Showcase Tournament to highlight and promote players and teams within the league.  A Girls High School Showcase will be featured in the fall and a Boys High School Showcase will be featured in the spring. The League will promote its Showcase events to all College and Universities in Wisconsin and around the country.

Standards.  Individual clubs must maintain a standard of competition and compliance with "best operational practices" to enhance player and club development as prescribed by the governing bodies of soccer including WYSA, USYSA, USSF, and FIFA.  Clubs will be evaluated to ensure adherence to principles of the League. 

Game Day.  Competition day will be orchestrated in such a way that, when possible, all Academy U11-U18 teams at one club will compete on the same day against all Academy teams at another club.  This allows clubs to manage their coaching resources while maximizing opportuniities for player and team evaluation and assessment.

Roster Flexibility.  There will be unprecedented control placed in the hand of Coaches and Coaching Directors to adjust rosters.  The primary purpose for this flexibility is to control the level of competition to best ensure meaningful player and team performance and to extend development opportunities for the player.

Transitioning into the Larger Game.  Coaching Directors have the flexibility to transition from 8v8 to 11v11 when appropriate.  This allows for players at the U12 age group to be introduced to the demands of the larger game at an earlier age when and where appropriate.

Coaching Education.  The league format and scheduling allows for a club to maximize coaching participation on game day.  The Directors of the 20 charter clubs along with the State Coaching Directors are committed to creating a culture of learning for coaches and players.  Game Day might provide a unique opportunity to schedule coaching clinics that multiple clubs and their coaching staff can benefit from.  A larger pool or team of coaches observing games allows for Directors of Coaching and staff coaches from clubs to discuss the games (player and team performance) and share insights on best ways to promote strengths while addressing areas for improvement. 

Additional Features.  The club Coaching Directors will work collaboratively with each other to evaluate every facet of the game and competition day.  It will do so with a view to adjust principles and rules governing the game and competition to enhance opportunities for player, team and coach development.



 

• MiKro Soccer presented by Noodles: Ages 3-6

MiKro Soccer is offered year round at many locations in Milwaukee and its surrounding areas. Click the link above for more information!

Are you aware of the Milwaukee Kickers college scholarship?

Milwaukee Kickers is once again offering members that will be attending college in September, 2012 the opportunity to apply for a college scholarship. Each year, the Milwaukee Kickers Scholarship Committee reviews applications and grants scholarships to club members who display team spirit and sportsmanship. Those who are granted scholarships have demonstrated development as a player and have a record of growth and responsibility. Scholarship applications are due on February 15, 2012. Interested MKsc players must submit a complete application along with a 200 word essay, letter from a regional director and a letter of recommendation from a MKsc coach. Applicants must also include proof of admission to an accredited college or university. Applications are available now and can be downloaded here. Applications can also be picked up at Uihlein Soccer Park, 7101 W. Good Hope Road. Good luck to all Milwaukee Kickers members.

Spring 2012 Field Map