FC Wichita to integrate existing youth programs into USL Academy League

WICHITA, Kan. – FC Wichita has announced its plans to integrate its existing youth programs into the USL Academy for the 2022 season.

The Kansas-based club currently fields a USL League Two team and has already begun to introduce its current youth players to the first team, with nine playing in a preseason friendly against USL Championship side FC Tulsa on April 5.

“On April 5, FC Wichita began incorporating youth academy players into the USL First Team during a preseason friendly against FC Tulsa,” said FC Wichita owner Blake Shumaker. “Nine academy players played in that match and six have been asked to continue into first-team training.”

“FC Wichita will utilize the USL Academy to provide its standout ECNL players, ages U15-U19, a fully-funded program. Players selected into the USL Academy will experience a true pre-professional environment and will not be charged for training, facilities, league fees or uniforms.”

By joining the USL Academy, FC Wichita stated that the club will be able to further its youth development and create more opportunities for player integration into the first team.

First team head coach Bryan Perez and his assistants will run the coaching staff for the future USL Academy offering and work to best identify when a local youth player is ready to join in for training and matchday play. The organization has recently welcomed a multitude of First Team players from its youth platforms and stated that it plans to continue to do so ahead of its first season in the USL Academy in 2022.