OUR PHILOSOPHY KC FUSION PREMIER SOCCER

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1 FUSION GUIDE

2 OUR PHILOSOPHY KC FUSION PREMIER SOCCER At KC Fusion, our goal is to develop technical and tactical soccer players, as we inspire them to live and love the game. We want to prepare players for the demands of competitive soccer at the local, regional and even national levels. Further, we strive to field quality teams comprised of dedicated players who are committed to a higher level of instruction and competition. Develop. Inspire. Achieve. We want every player to excel both on and off the field. KC Fusion s professional coaches collectively focus on the four pillars of the game: Technical, Tactical, Physical, and Mental. They provide a high-quality training experience that inspires players and puts each child in the proper situation to achieve the greatest result. We believe that participation in athletics and particularly in soccer provides invaluable experience in problem solving, teamwork and goal setting. Our coaches set achievable individual and group objectives, and each player receives written seasonal evaluations to help them maintain their development and track progress over the course of our 10-month calendar year. We emphasize individual development, teamwork and discipline so that our players can consistently perform to the best of their abilities. Our goal is to prepare these players for the high school and college levels and beyond.

3 KC FUSION COACHING STAFF KC Fusion provides 100% professional coaching led by Competitive Technical Director Jason Pendleton. Jason is a part of the NSCAA National Coaching Staff and has two children playing in the club. We also have a Technical Director that focuses on our Club s recreational program. Three Fusion Age Group Coordinators - Kris Plumhoff, Jim Ricker, and Davy Phillips complete the staff, assisting both the executive level coaches as well as the team coaches on both the boys and girls sides of the club. Our Technical Staff have played at every level of the sport, from local college to national university and professional teams. At KC Fusion, we believe that to truly excel, even coaches need coaching. To that end, our coaches hold licenses from USSF (United States Soccer Federation) and NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association of America), and each coach is evaluated and mentored on a continual basis by our Technical Directors. Leadership Nate Houser, Executive Director Baker University Head Coach, Men s Soccer 2008-present Baker University Head Coach, Women s Soccer 2003-present Player: Kansas City Attack/Comets , 2010 USSF A License, B.A. History & Political Science, Baker University Jason Pendleton, Technical Director Blue Valley Southwest Head Boys & Girls Coach, present Free State High School Head Boys & Girls Coach, NSCAA Associate National Staff Coach, 2010-Present NSCAA Premier Diploma, M.A. History Emporia St. University Fusion Age Group Coordinators KC Fusion s Age Group Coordinators assist the Technical Directors in implementing training and development programs throughout the club. The Boys and Girls Coordinators oversee age groups U8 through U14, and the High School Coordinator oversees all boys and girls U15-college. The High School Coordinator also organizes programs to assist players and families in preparing to play college soccer. KC Fusion Administrative Staff Sarah McTighe, KC Fusion Club Registrar MUSC Office: (913) , Club Administrator OUR FACILITIES KC Fusion trains at a number of local soccer fields and facilities that we rent and help maintain so that our players can practice on quality fields throughout the year. We are always evaluating new training grounds and opportunities. Fall/Spring Training Swarner Park Shawnee, KS Stump Park Shawnee, KS Overland Park Soccer Complex Overland Park, KS Kansas City Kansas Community College - Kansas City, KS Winter Training Each team trains during the winter at various facilities in the KC Metro area that they are responsible for locating. Winter training focuses on individual skill development and numerous opportunities for touches on the ball.

4 KC FUSION CLUB STRUCTURE Two levels of competition focused on development Not all players are the same, so we offer different levels of competition to make sure we are meeting every player s individual needs. KC Fusion also firmly believes that children should be involved in multiple activities in order to develop into well-rounded adults. This pyramid of development includes after-school programs such as music and sports as well as other hobbies and activities. Academy Program The Academy-level program is designed for our most-advanced players, and it s geared for players and families that desire a soccer first environment where soccer is the player s first priority. Our Academy teams play in multiple formats, including the Heartland Soccer League and the Midwest Regional League, depending on coach and age level. The Academy Program s teams participate in State Cup and multiple tournaments throughout the season. Club Program The Club-level program is for players who are still developing and may or may not have chosen soccer as their primary sport. Club teams play in the Heartland Soccer league. The number and type of tournaments is determined by many factors, including overall ability and goals of the team as a whole. PLAYER DEVELOPMENT Developing players to exceed their potential Throughout the year, KC Fusion offers numerous training opportunities for players of every skill and commitment level. We provide guest training and playing opportunities with Academy and/ or higher age group/ability teams as well as free clinics, week-long in-house developmental camps, and several other opportunities within the Club for players to grow and advance. We take development seriously and strive to give every player multiple opportunities to get better. The benefits your child will receive from the KC Fusion Program: 100% Licensed Coaching, both NSCAA and USSF Continual evaluation and mentoring of coaches by the Technical Directors Participation in both outdoor soccer and futsal/indoor soccer Guest playing and training opportunities within the Club, including moving up age groups/ability and playing with an Academy squad Age-appropriate Player Development Plan Pre-season Fusion development tournament Year-round access to Club Office and to Technical Directors and/or Fusion Coordinators Bi-annual player evaluations that track player development Enrollment in off season, online tools that help players develop their individual skills Both free and paid goalkeeper training Participation in multiple tournaments nationally, regionally and locally Additional training and development opportunities are always being added. For the most current list of events, visit metrounitedsc.org.

5 BECOMING A MEMBER OF KC FUSION The transition from recreational to premier soccer can be a difficult one, so we work diligently to help players and parents make the jump as easy and painless as possible. The Fusion Experience Each year, the club hosts a free clinic for all U7, U8 and U9 players currently playing recreational soccer who are interested in knowing more about premier soccer. The clinic is staffed by KC Fusion coaches and gives players and parents an opportunity to experience professional soccer coaching and to receive more information about premier soccer in general, and the KC Fusion program in particular. If your child is interested in competing at a higher level and learning from some of the most experienced and qualified coaches in the metro area, this is a great opportunity to experience the KC Fusion Program firsthand. Visit metrounitedsc.org for more information and to register. Tryouts The tryout process at KC Fusion has been developed to give each player attending an opportunity to be seen by the coaches assigned to his or her age group, and to give each participating player the best chance for success in the limited tryout time available. To ensure that coaches can identify players quickly we will be issuing different-color T-shirts to current KC Fusion players so that new players trying out are able to be more easily noticed. We do this intentionally because we get a large number of players trying out. We also use our yearround player assessment and evaluation system to form a good idea as to where each current KC Fusion player fits within our program. Our coaches need the tryout time to focus on new players who are trying out and current players that show they are ready to take the next step within the Club. Visit metrounitedsc.org for more information and to register. Pre-tryout Camp KC Fusion s Pre-tryout Camp offers an opportunity for current KC Fusion players to get ready for tryouts, and for any players interested in trying out for our program to come and experience the level of competition and training we offer. Attendance at the pre-tryout camp is strongly recommended for all current Fusion players, so that any non-fusion players attending are better able to gauge the level of play required. This allows all players and families the opportunity to make informed decisions on whether to try out for KC Fusion. Visit metrounitedsc.org for more information and to register.

6 OUR UNIFORMS KC Fusion players and coaches are proud to wear the latest, most technically-advanced soccer gear from Nike. Our kits are custom designed and are made to stand out. Our players need to look and feel good to play well, so we work directly with Nike to ensure that we are at the top of our game from a uniform standpoint. When teams and families go to one of the many soccer parks where we play, they can instantly recognize our KC Fusion teams. KC FUSION PREMIER PROGRAM FEES For a complete updated list of KC Fusion fees, please visit metrounitedsc.org. Financial Assistance Through fundraising and help from our generous sponsors, KC Fusion is able make sure every player has the opportunity to play premier soccer. With the KC Fusion Soccer Premier Financial Aid Program we are able to help more families than ever with the cost of playing Premier Soccer. If you wish to apply for Premier Financial Aid please, visit our website. Each team will have a primary and secondary jersey, along with game shorts and socks. Academy teams may choose to add additional uniforms to their kits from a selection chosen by the Club. Everyone in the KC Fusion Program may purchase Club warm up tops and bottoms as well as soccer-specific backpacks. For Academy players, these items are mandatory. We also require each player to purchase practice gear, which is fairly priced and remains in circulation year-to-year.

7 DEVELOP. INSPIRE. ACHIEVE. REGISTER TODAY