Surf Nation is comprised of like-minded coaches and administrators dedicated to our Surf mission to provide the best experiences and opportunities for their athletes. Since 2023, Kansas City Surf has been a proud partner of Surf Nation, and we have thoroughly enjoyed the partnership. We have watched their amazing club grow and seen them take full advantage of being under the Surf brand.
We sat down with Kansas City Surf’s President, Rob Million, to learn more about how Surf has helped their club, players, coaches, and administrators and their upcoming season goals:
What is the biggest value for Kansas City Surf being part of the Surf Nation Community?
Being part of the Surf Nation community of leaders, coaches, parents, and players is truly invaluable. The sharing of knowledge and wealth of experience at Surf Nation is unmatched. This collaboration directly influences our coaches and shapes player development across the country. Since joining Surf Nation, we’ve seen significant improvements in our players’ growth and development opportunities directly here in Kansas City which has correlated to club growth and improvement in performance on and off the field.
As we have now started the 24/25 season, what are some of the KPI’s you have set for the Club this year?
For the 2024-2025 season, Kansas City Surf has identified several key performance indicators (KPIs) to guide our growth and success:
• Expanding Community Youth Programs: We are excited to expand our third community youth recreation program at AdventHealth Sports Park @ Bluhawk. This initiative will serve as a vital feeder for our competitive teams and enhance our player pipeline.
College Opportunities: We will intensify our efforts to provide pathways for our KC Surf players to compete at the college level, ensuring they have the support and resources needed to succeed.
• Team Performance: Our focus on improving our ECNL RL and E64 teams remains a priority. Our goal is to achieve a National Championship within the next two years. We are committed to elevating our players’ performance on the national stage.
• Coaching Development: Expanding our coaching staff with experienced and successful coaches is crucial. We will emphasize coaching education to ensure our team leaders are equipped with the best strategies and practices.
• Club Experience Improvements: creating an improved experience for club members on and off the field will push us past the competition at expansive rates. Communication, development, expansion of services, better technology offerings.
What have been some of the club highlights during 2024 that you would love to share with us?
Club Highlights for 2024:
• Outstanding Competitive Performance: Our 2007 ECNL RL boys showcased remarkable talent, remaining undefeated at ECNL events in Florida and Texas. The 2007 and 2005/06 boys’ teams also proudly secured the Kansas President’s Cup title.
•Success for Girls’ Teams: Our 2010 and 2005/06 girls’ teams also made waves by winning the Kansas President’s Cup, with the 2005/06 team advancing to the Final Four of Regionals and the 2010 team qualifying for the President’s Cup Nationals.
•Significant Club Growth: We’ve experienced a 21% growth in our competitive programs and over 30% in our recreational programs, reflecting our commitment to developing soccer in the Kansas City community.
•Collaboration with TPH Academy: We are excited to have partnered with TPH Academy at AdventHealth Sports Park @ Bluhawk, allowing athletes to receive high-quality training during the school day, further enhancing their development while getting their education.
•Expanding Quality Staff: To manage our growth responsibly, we continually expand our staff with experienced professionals dedicated to maintaining excellence while focusing on our key performance indicators (KPIs).
•Rookie Club of the Year Award: Receiving this award recognizes our commitment to continuous improvement through our Kia Zen philosophy. It reassures us that our efforts have not gone unnoticed and inspires us to push even harder across all areas of our program. We are energized to elevate our standards and achieve even greater success together!
These highlights illustrate our dedication to player development, community engagement, and fostering a thriving soccer environment at Kansas City Surf.
Can you give us a clear idea of the Club’s player development pathway from Grassroots to your competitive program?
At Kansas City Surf, our commitment to grassroots player development is critical to enhancing the quality of our competitive program. By the end of 2024, we aim to engage over 2000 recreational players across multiple locations in the Kansas City Metro area. Our development begins with our recreational coaches’ education, ensuring they receive support on game and practice days. As we identify top talent within the recreational program, we work to transition those players onto competitive teams, emphasizing technical fundamentals while fostering a love for the game through ample playing time.
As players advance to the 11v11 format, they can join our ECNL RL, E64 RL, NPL, and NL teams. Throughout their journey, we prioritize engagement in Surf Select regional and national programs, which provide additional coaching and development opportunities for our top players. Additionally, we continue to push for high-level leagues and opportunities for Kansas City Surf players and the growing Kansas City soccer community.
Additionally, while players are engaged with the college, we offer UPSL-level participation, allowing them to compete in a summer league to sharpen their skills and maintain game fitness.
This comprehensive pathway equips dedicated players with the resources and support needed to achieve their soccer goals, whether competing at the collegiate level or beyond.
You recently signed a partnership with Bluhawk, giving you access to one of the top indoor facilities in the Midwest. What does this mean to the players and families moving forward?
Our partnership with AdventHealth Sports Park positions Kansas City Surf at the forefront of soccer athlete development in the Kansas City area. This facility offers over 60,000 square feet of state-of-the-art athletic training and turf space, which will be the hub for our recreational program and our new winter 7v7 league.
At Bluhawk, every player in Kansas City Surf will have the opportunity to train at least once a week, making it a primary training location for our expanding youth programs, particularly for ages U7-U12. The development is strategically located near high-end retail, restaurants, and healthcare facilities, with additional amenities set to expand in the coming years.
This access to top-tier training facilities underscores our commitment to providing our players the highest level of support and resources, ensuring they have everything they need to thrive both on and off the field..
Learn more about Kansas City Surf at https://kansascitysurf.com/
