March Academy Affiliate Club Spotlight: Sporting Wichita
CLUB BIO
Sporting Wichita was established in Wichita, KS in 2002 as the Wichita Rojos. Since its founding, Sporting Wichita has developed into one of the largest youth soccer organizations in central Kansas, operating as a 501(c)(3) and serving players from ages 3-19 years old.
Initially starting as just one team, Sporting Wichita has grown to over 45 teams with 36 coaches and has built a reputation for ground-level player development that begins with the youngest players. This model has produced players that have gone to play at all levels.
Additionally, many past Sporting Wichita players have returned to coach with the club and facilitate a love for the game in our players.
Sporting Wichita became an Academy Affiliate of Sporting Kansas City in 2014 and has since doubled their growth, expanding into southwest Kansas with additional teams in Liberal, Garden City, and Dodge City.
Sporting Wichita is proud of its rich history of diversity, inclusion and family atmosphere.
CLUB RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Announcement of UPSL First Team franchise, providing Academy players to continue their career at the next level
- ’05 & ’03 Elite Boys win Regional Futsal Championship, will continue to Nationals in summer of 2021
- Expansion of our Girls Academy program
COACH SPOTLIGHT
Eusebio “Chevy” Plaza
Head Goalkeeping Director
Coach, ’06 Boys & ’02/’03 Boys
Coach Chevy has been a huge asset to our club over the last seven years. His extensive experience and expertise has allowed Sporting Wichita to provide exceptional goalkeeping training for all of our teams. He has also provided leadership in developing additional goalkeeping staff.
Coach Chevy has coached boys teams across all levels, from U12 to U18 and excels at organization and innovative training sessions.
Jillian Carrol
’07 Elite Girls Head Coach
Coach Jillian joined Sporting Wichita two years ago from Kansas City. She has exceeded expectations with her dedication and effort in growing our girls program. She is an energetic coach with contagious enthusiasm for all things soccer.
Coach Jillian is a tremendous asset to Sporting Wichita.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
Beckham Prendes
2011 Boys
Beckham is an outstanding playmaker with Sporting Wichita Gregory ’11. He has an undeniable passion for the game and leads by example with his positive and motivating attitude.
Beckham also respects the game, himself, his teammates and his coaches. He is very confident in his skill and is a huge piece in our defensive game.
His hard work and enjoyment of the game is evident at team practices, our Center of Excellence sessions as well as watching and learning from friends and other role models in the club.
You will always see Beckham with a soccer ball by his feet, competing with his friends and two sisters, Scarlett and Gwen, who also play for Sporting Wichita.
Not only is Beckham very talented and coachable, he is an exceptional student in the classroom with straight A’s.
Haylee Henderson
2010 Girls Players
Haylee is a great playmaker with the Sporting Wichita ’10 Girls team. She has been a consistent participant in our Center of Excellence training sessions.
Haylee has begun to hone her skills at the striker position with improved footwork and better timing. Combined with her elite speed, she finds herself in position to finish often. She has outstanding work ethic and is always hungry for more time on the field, which makes her a great player to coach.
Haylee has been selected to participate in her first Academy All-Star event this year and is very excited about the opportunity.
When she is away from the soccer fields, you can find Haylee excelling on the basketball court and spending time with her friends.
For more information on Sporting Wichita please visit SportingWichita.net and follow them on Twitter and Facebook.