Organizers are working to bring new soccer opportunities to youth athletes across the mountains with the launch of the Bluegrass Futbol Academy.

According to Kayla VanHoose, owner and founder of the newly established academy, the idea for Bluegrass Futbol Academy grew out of the continued success of Bluegrass Volleyball Academy, which was founded in 2018. VanHoose said the same mission that helped shape BVA now drives the creation of BFA, giving local athletes access to opportunities they may not otherwise have.

“We feel like providing rural Kentuckians with the opportunity to extra training and play will not only grow the sport of soccer in the area but provide our athletes with the opportunity to be seen by college coaches and potentially further their playing careers at that level,” VanHoose said.

VanHoose said she has already seen significant success toward that goal through the volleyball academy, noting that more than 40 athletes have gone on to play at the collegiate level over the past seven seasons.

For those athletes interested in getting involved, opportunities are already approaching. VanHoose said anyone interested in joining Bluegrass Futbol Academy can find the organization on Facebook or visit www.bluegrassfutbol.com.

In addition, BFA already has tournament play scheduled for the spring.

“The weekend of March 7, our U19 boys, U16 boys, and U18 girls will all compete in a tournament. We are grateful for our coaching staff Ollie Fisher (UPIKE), Philip Workman, and Coach/Director Sonny Mynhier for helping us get this off the ground. Without them and their extensive knowledge of soccer, it wouldn’t be possible,” VanHoose said.

More information on training, travel opportunities, and the academy itself can be found on the Bluegrass Futbol Academy website.