who we are
About Us
After recognizing that soccer in the Fort Wayne area was growing rapidly and the high level of talent that was present, the club was created in 2013 by merging two of the top organizations in the area, the Fort Wayne Fever Academy and the Citadel Futbol Club. This organization supports a multi-level system that benefits every player, local and regional soccer players are offered the very best in soccer development. Fort Wayne United FC provides an environment that includes the best facilities, coaching and player development for all levels. Our Club players train together on the same fields and at the same facilities under one unified direction. These athletes are dedicated to their team, their Club and their sport.
who we are At a glance
500+ children participate annually
500+ children participate annually in our Fort Wayne United Cadet recreational program.
500+ children participate annually
Elite Academy & Elite 64 – top players compete against the best talent regionally and nationally (13U – 19U).
FW United Academy – high level players who receive similar benefits as an Elite Academy or Elite 64 player and compete in the second and third tier at state, regional and national league or events (11U – 19U).
High School Select – competitive level players who receive similar benefits as a FW United Academy player with limited or no travel and less demanding commitment. (15U-19U)
Youth Pre-Academy – for players ages 8-10 boys and girls that are interested in higher competition and training. Will compete in regional or state wide leagues with limited travel.(8-10U)
tuition assistance
We support fundraising programs such as Scrip, FW United FC Golf Outing, Savory Sweet cookie dough and the fight against breast cancer (Shoot for a Cure Tournament).
The “UNITED” mission is to offer the best facilities, coaching and playing environment for all players at all levels.
MISSION & philosophy
Mission Statement
Fort Wayne United Futbol Club strives to foster a child’s technical, tactical, psychological, and physical talents as they progress through all stages of player development. Aided by soccer professionals in our organization, our objective is to provide every player the greatest opportunity to develop their soccer skills in addition to important life skills such as discipline, sportsmanship and teamwork. This task is accomplished by hiring the most experienced and qualified coaches who have a passion for the game and the desire and enthusiasm to educate young players to reach their potential.
Philosophy
Player development; improve each and every player on the principles of play. Creating the right environment that provides elements essential for a well-rounded player is a major goal at Fort Wayne United FC. The development of a soccer player is a process in which player’s progress gradually from a simple to more complex involvement in the game. It’s a long term process that focuses on the holistic approach of the player. Players should always compete at a level that is both challenging and demanding in order to foster improvement.
next steps
THE NEXT STEP....TO PLAY OR NOT TO PLAY TRAVEL SOCCER?
Up until this point, your child has only experienced the recreational side of soccer. They have come off the field smiling many times, because they enjoyed the game. They have gone home and played with a ball many times, without needing any encouragement. They have shown some level talent for the game, scoring goals, or winning tackles, or dribbling through players etc.
Travel soccer is the next step on your child's soccer journey. So, the next questions are always: "when should my child start playing travel soccer?"; and, "why?". Below are some benefits, which will help answer questions you may have:
Improved coaching - Fort Wayne United boasts some of the most experienced and nationally licensed coaches in Indiana. Our knowledgeable staff will help your child develop skills and techniques, read the game and strategize in ways they never have before.
Training Environment - At Fort Wayne United, our focus is on creating an enjoyable, yet competitive atmosphere so that players can improve. The players get to train with and against some of the best local talent, in fun and challenging training sessions.
Good, early habit acquisition - Without a strong foundation of individual technical skills, it would be difficult to truly learn and employ the tactics necessary to compete in any sport. With this in mind, our players excel because our training sessions focus on acquiring good habits, such as shaping the foot correctly and controlling the body correctly in different situations.
It is important to understand the areas of concentration a player experiences during different ages:
- Ages 8-12 - Focus: Improving technique. Knowing how to correctly dribble, strike, pass and receive the ball. It requires many repetitions of these techniques in game related exercises and in game conditions while instructed and educated by a licensed, certified trainer or coach.
- Ages 13-15 - Focus: Improving tactics. During this period, players become technically more effective. Now, they can concentrate on improving their in- game decisions, their understanding of the language of soccer and enhancing their soccer IQ (reasoning and problem solving).
- Ages 16-19 - Focus: Perfecting their craft. Players are now becoming that finished product. They have the technical, tactical, physical and psychological. What separates Fort Wayne United from most, is our player’s soccer IQ and understanding the language of the game.
What We Offer
- A consistent and competitive training environment that is demanding, challenging, motivating, enjoyable and realistic to the game.
- Quality training to help guide, direct and assist players through their youth careers from coaches who have a comprehensive understanding of the game and how to teach it.
- Ideal game environment that is age/ability appropriate against teams that will push the players to their maximum capabilities.
- Player identification system that help players achieve their goals whether it’s playing High School, Collegiate, Professional Leagues, Olympic Developmental Program (ODP) or National programs.
- Fees that are fair and affordable and a financial aid program for families in need.
The above elements are generated through The Fort Wayne United FC’s multi-level system.
The first level is Elite which is the highest tier of travel competition. The second level is Academy which is the middle tier of travel competition. The “High School Select Program” is for players who want to take advantage of the environment but prefer limited travel and overall less demanding commitment.
Developmental Pathway
Player Development Philosophy by ages
BUILDING THE FOUNDATION
(8U-9U-10U BOYS AND GIRLS)
THE FUN PHASE
The fascination for playing and the thrill of scoring goals provides the launching pad. The joy and pleasure of the game are best nurtured by encouraging freedom of expression and organizing children’s play in small groups. Our focus is on FUNdamentals and improving technique. At this stage, players do not understand tactics or collective play. We keep it FUN and ENJOYABLE to foster a desire to play while learning basic skills.
ALL TEAMS WILL BE BALANCED. THERE WILL NOT BE ACADEMY AND/OR ELITE LEVEL TEAMS IN THIS AGE DIVISION. ROSTERS WILL BE STRUCTURED TO ASSURE MORE PLAYING TIME AND MORE TOUCHES ON THE BALL DURING THEIR LEAGUE GAMES.
LEAGUES: Indiana Soccer League (Limited Travel) and Friendlies.
9U AND 10U play 7v7, 8U will play 4v4.
GOLDEN AGE OF LEARNING
(AGES 11U & 12U BOYS AND GIRLS)
This is the most important age of skill development. What they hear, they forget; what they see, they remember; what they do, they understand. Repetitions are critical in skill training. Developing individual skills, as well as small group tactics, are important in establishing discipline during these stages.
LEAGUES:
ACADEMY TEAMS-Indiana Soccer League Premier Division or 1st Division
ELITE TEAMS-Indiana Soccer League Premier or 1st, 2nd or 3rd Division. NESSL.
11U and 12U play 9v9
MATURING STAGES
(AGES 13U – 19U BOYS AND GIRLS)
AGES 13U-14U: Players will be moving to full field 11v11 competition. It is a critical stage when players will continue to work on their overall skills and small group tactics, but primarily focus on functional training, i.e. learning positional play, patterns, strategies and defensive responsibilities in a team setting. Soccer is one language internationally and at 13U and 14U players will learn that language through 11v11 functional training and use games (tests) to improve individually in a team setting. It is the first of many stages to understanding how to play full field 11v11.
AGE 15U: Players are one step closer to a finished product. The process continues, the style of play becomes more fluent and players are learning functionally how to play positions while improving speed of thought and speed of play. Players are becoming physically stronger and emotionally tougher.
AGES 16U-19U: Players are technically, tactically, physically and emotionally closest to a finished product. Competing and striving to WIN games, events, and CUP games, players are ready to showcase their knowledge and understanding of the game. These players attend the highest level events and are more closely watched and recruited for college and national programs with the possibility of one day being considered for a professional level.
LEAGUES:
ACADEMY TEAMS-Elite Academy League. USYS National League. Indiana Soccer League Premier Division or 1st Division
ELITE TEAMS-Indiana Soccer League Premier or 1st, 2nd or 3rd Division. NESSL.