KC Athletics Announces Director of Goalkeeping, GK Partnership, and College Placement Program

By KC Athletics, 09/02/21, 1:00PM CDT

Kaylin Williams as Director of Goalkeeping, Union 30 to provide GK training and discounts, and STM as our new College Placement Program Process group!

KC Athletics welcomes Kaylin Williams as our new Director of Goalkeeping, along with a unique partnership with Union 30 and STM for the College Recruitment Process!

Kaylin Williams, KC Athletics Director of Goalkeeping

KC Athletics is excited to announce Kaylin Williams as our new Director of Goalkeeping. Kaylin is stepping into this role having served as the interim Director following the departure of the club's previous Director, Ali Hanif, who took a new collegiate position. Having served on the GK staff with KC Athletics' last year, Kaylin has great insight on our current GK pool and their needs in development.

Kaylin currently serves as the Goalkeeper coach for both the men's and women's programs at Avila University, and is also a Goalkeeper Coach for Kansas ODP. Kaylin played at Eastern Michigan University all four years 2015-2019 and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Sport Management and double minored in general business and communications. She grew up in the Kansas City area and played for Futura under Vlatko Andonovski and Brad Childers. She was also recently named as the Central Conference Defensive Player of the Year in her role as Goalkeeper for the KC Courage in the United Women's Soccer League.

Kaylin, along with fellow trainer Alli Lipsher (KC NWSL GK Staff Coach) will be contracted to conduct training sessions, evaluate GKs, and help players with their individual development plans for each KC Athletics GK through a new partnership with Union 30 GK. More on that below.

“I am excited to work alongside Alli Lipsher and Union 30 as we provide a pathway for KC Athletics goalkeepers that instills competition, growth and resilience.” -Kaylin Williams, KC Athletics, Director of Goalkeeping

KC Athletics Partners with Union 30

We are excited to announce KC Athletics has partnered with Union 30 to provide additional services to all Goalkeepers in the club. We are excited to lean on the experience of Union 30 owner Andy Gruenebaum and his staff which includes KC Athletics Director of GK Kaylin Williams to provide the best possible training environment, access to additional resources, and development within the KC Athletics style of play and Philosophy.

In addition, KC Athletics Goalkeepers will have access to Union 30's training programs at a reduced cost. With training offered 5 days of the week and at multiple sites across the city and training groups to match the level of each Goalkeeper, Union 30 can meet the need and desire of any GK in KC Athletics who is looking for training beyond what the club currently offers.

"Union30 Goalkeeping is looking forward to the opportunity to collaborate with KC Athletics. We are extremely lucky to be able to welcome Kaylin Williams onto our staff.

Together we will help mold a cohesive identity/playing style for the KC Athletics Goalkeeper as well as offer more frequent training opportunities and video analysis.

Thank you to the KC Athletics organization, Kaylin, and all of these incredible goalkeepers and families for putting their trust in our process! " -Andy Gruenebaum, Union 30

KC Athletics Partners with STM

KC Athletics is excited to announce a partnership with Simplified Team Management (STM) to help navigate the college recruitment process. Along with Craig Gunter, founder of STM and KC Athletics Alumni parent, STM will help all KC Athletics parents and players determine the process that is right for them as they think about playing beyond our club.

Craig Gunter is a busy father and entrepreneur who has a passion for creating the ideal experience for everyone involved in youth sports. As a former athlete, coach, and father of competitive-sports student athletes, Craig understands the importance of youth sports in shaping the lives of our children. He founded Simplified Team Management to bring smart, high-integrity processes to youth sports; allowing coaches to coach, parents to spectate and athletes to play full out in a supportive environment.

"We are ecstatic to enter into this partnership with KCA. Not only do we believe that there is an enormous amount of talent within Kansas City, we are true to the belief that if a kid has a desire to play at the next level, we at STM are dedicated to helping them find the best fit for them." -Craig Gunter, Founder STM

We are excited to welcome STM to the club and look forward to working with them with all of our athletes. More information coming soon, but to check out more visit their page on our site at www.AthleticsKC.com/STM.