East Tulsa’s new soccer academy blends sport and study
A new soccer school opened this spring at Hicks Park in East Tulsa, marking a collaboration between Tecnico10, Tulsa Athletic and Tulsa Parks. The initiative targets boys and girls who show promise, offering a curriculum that weaves technical drills, strength training and classroom sessions into a four‑day weekly schedule.
John Waite, director of Tecnico10, says the program addresses a clear gap in American youth soccer by giving local children access to elite coaching alongside academic support. "Our goal is to develop players who excel on the field and succeed off it," he explained.
Sonny Dalesandro, owner of Tulsa Athletic, notes that integrated soccer‑academic models remain rare in the United States despite the sport’s growing popularity. He believes the partnership will demonstrate how community resources can be leveraged to create a more comprehensive development pathway.
Among the first participants is 13‑year‑old Octavion Gibbs, who began playing at two and a half and recently earned a spot in Sporting Kansas City’s MLS academy. Gibbs credits the program’s holistic approach for helping him navigate both training and educational commitments.
Tecnico10 reported last year that 16 of its trainees secured places in professional or overseas academies, including Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas and Sporting Kansas City. The organization views this track record as evidence that the model can produce high‑level talent.
The academy caps its inaugural cohort at 40 athletes, allowing staff to monitor each player’s progress closely. Sessions run four days a week, combining on‑field work with classroom instruction and strength training.
Organizers hope the East Tulsa example can be replicated in other cities, creating a network that ties municipal parks, community groups and professional clubs together to elevate youth sport development nationwide.