October Academy Affiliate of the Month: Sporting City West

Club Bio

Launched in April of 2021, Sporting City West is a competitive youth soccer club serving players and families in West Olathe, Lenexa, Shawnee and surrounding communities in Kansas City, Kansas.

Sporting City West focuses on a player development model that inspires each player to reach their full potential both on and off the field, and promotes self-learning, problem solving, respect, growth mindsets and a team-first mentality.

The club features boys and girls teams at the U-8 (2015) through U-13 (2010) levels. The competitive side will expand its age group offerings each season moving forward.

Sporting City West teams practice at Compass Mineral Sporting Field and Garmin Olathe Soccer Complex and compete in the Heartland Soccer League.

Since starting play in 2021, City West has seen a 25% increase in players with the club.

Coach Spotlight

Eta Arrey

• Coach (2013 Boys Blue, 2013 Girls Blue, 2012 Boys Blue)

Coach Eta has helped our club culture spread through the club since day one at Sporting City West. Eta makes every effort to support other teams when his teams aren’t playing by coming to practices or watching their games. There is never a time when players, parents, and coaches don’t see him out at the fields. He successfully passed his C License course last year and has continued to strive to grow as a coach.

David Panjada

• Coach (2012 Boys Indigo, 2010 Girls Indigo)

Coach David is a great example of what Sporting City West looks for in coaches with the passion he spreads while coaching. David is a dependable coach who is never one to turn away help when others ask. He strives to make his players better athletes and better people through the game. His enthusiasm never goes unnoticed and we are very grateful to have him on our coaching staff!

Player Spotlight

Grady Dalinghaus (a.k.a. Wheels)

• 2013 Boys Blue

The most impressive part of his development has been his link up play and ability to read the game and make game time decisions. He’s been our most consistent players this season. Both team parents and teammates have even mentioned the growth of his game. He covers the most space, highly disciplined, able to beat players, physical and is constantly running. Best 1v1 defender on the team and always tracks back to support the defense. Despite being the smallest player on the team, he’s very aggressive and relishes challenges.

Nicole Rodriguez

• 2011 Girls Blue

She is a great player who is fundamentally very intelligent when it comes to grasping what she has to do. She has progressed technically when she has the ball with great intelligence and she knows how to deliver according to the needs of her teammates. She solves problems quickly and could even play against higher divisions because she is so adaptable.