WhyFlash

All-inclusive pathway

The WNY Flash Academy is proud to offer a pathway that has been developed to accommodate players of all skill levels to ensure they are placed in the proper environment to thrive. Whether you are a 7-year-old just learning to play the game, an elite player looking to play Division 1 soccer, or a player who is looking to continue to improve to make your high school team, we have a home for you!

first-class facilities

Our club’s facilities are unmatched anywhere in the country. Our primary indoor facility, Sahlen Sports Park, boasts four indoor turf fields, including one of the biggest indoor fields in the country, a full-size regulation (110×70 yards) turf field that can host 11 v 11 play. Our primary outdoor facility, Flash Fields, features two back-to-back brand-new full size turf fields. In addition, the WNY Flash has an exclusive partnership with the West Seneca Soccer Complex, which houses over 15 fields of various sizes catering to different ages of play where our teams train and play games from.

Decorated coaching staff

The Western New York Flash Academy features a top of the line coaching staff. From Vice President Aaran Lines, who has coached the likes of Abby Wambach, Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, and Marta, to Executive Director of Coaching Eric Dade, who spent nearly 13 years as a professional soccer player, including five competing for the Dallas Burn/FC Dallas of the MLS, you will find that all of our coaches bring something different to the table that can help your child every step of the way. All of our coaches are USSF licensed and are passionate about being leaders, role models, and giving back to the game here in WNY. Each and every one of our coaches is handpicked through a vigorous interview process to ensure each player receives the highest level of coaching

STORIED PAST

When your child puts on a WNY Flash jersey, the badge means something. Back in 2009, a semi-professional expansion team in the W-League, the Buffalo Flash had immediate success, capturing the W-League Championship in 2010. Later that year, the now Western New York Flash, joined the Women’s Professional Soccer League (WPS) and selected Alex Morgan in the 2011 WPS Draft. That same year, in front of a record 10,461 fans, the Flash captured the organization’s second championship in a row; Marta would capture the WPS Golden Boot as the league’s top scorer. Following a short stint in the WPSL-Elite League where they were crowned league champions, the Flash were selected as one of eight clubs to join the newly created National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Led by Abby Wambach, the Flash captured the NWSL Regular Season Title in 2013. The club would also go on to capture the 2016 NWSL Championship. When your son or daughter plays for the Flash, they are playing for the Flash legacy, for continued excellence, and playing for those who have paved the way before them. For the #FlashFamily.

bright future

While we certainly have a storied past, have no doubt about our future. We are only just getting started here at the Western New York Flash Academy. We are committed to providing excellence and opportunity in all areas of development, impacting players in the WNY area and their futures.  From investing into our community with the Flash Fields, to educating our coaches, to providing the best technology and software for college recruitment and video analysis, our commitment to the players of WNY is unparalleled. Don’t miss out on being a part of the bright future of the Western New York Flash Academy.

success at the next level

While not every player has the goal of reaching the collegiate level, we take pride in the fact that our club provides for those that have the ability and aspirations to a become collegiate student athlete.  The Western New York Flash Academy continues to prove that it is one of the best clubs in the country at preparing and placing student-athletes at some of the best NCAA, NJCAA, and NAIA institutions in the country and abroad. As a club we are motivated not only by the process of getting a student-athlete successfully to the next level, but also take great pride in witnessing the lasting impact our student-athletes are making at the next level and in life.

core values

Our core values are at the heart of everything we do as a club. All Western New York Flash Academy players will develop the skills, qualities, and attributes needed to play exciting, creative soccer with a winning mentality, while, at the same time, having a positive and lasting influence on each other. Our academy promotes good sportsmanship and encourages high standards of performance and conduct on and off the field, requiring discipline, honesty, hard work, commitment, respect, and humility – for both players and coaches

Players First Club

As a Players First™ licensed club, we are committed to placing the long-term interests of each individual player at the heart of every decision in structuring, operating, and managing our club. Players First™ represents our club’s commitment to providing a holistic approach in player development for all of our players, recognizing that the soccer experience must include lessons and opportunity both on the field and off. Players First™ also represents our club’s commitment to engage with and educate parents to help them understand and embrace the appropriate expectations and roles for them in their child’s overall soccer and athletic development experience.

Click here to learn more about US Club Soccer’s Players First™ Program.