In the midst of their 10th season, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks are ushering in a new era.

Tuesday, the club announced the creation of “Switchbacks FC II”, a team for boys ages 13-19, with the goal of identifying, developing and launching “pre-professional and professional boys’ soccer careers,” according to an official release.

Switchbacks II is designed to provide local talent with development pathway that doesn’t require training with a  program outside the region.

“I’m excited to see the investment our coaching staff is making into local player development and the enhanced training facility access the Switchbacks can provide,” club president Nick Ragain said in a news release. “There has been a gap in local player development and Switchbacks FC II is bridging that gap.”

Former Division I coach and United States Soccer Federation B licensed Keelan Power will head Switchbacks II and will operate under Switchbacks sporting director Stephen Hogan and coach James Chambers.

Switchbacks II will feature a 30-man fall roster comprised of local players already competing at a high level who have been invited to participate. The club will also host open tryouts in the fall.

Switchbacks II will train at Weidner Field and have access to most of the first-team facilities. The players will also have opportunities to interact with the first team on and off the field.

The team’s first full season will take place next year from February to November and feature United Soccer League Academy Cup and Academy League matches. Switchbacks II will be a pay-to-play model but can lead to a USL Academy contract which enables players to compete with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks without forgoing NCAA eligibility at no cost.

Recent academy contract signees include former Rampart High grad Dillon Clarke who trained with the Switchbacks before recently moving on to UCCS, former Liberty standout Caden Hickox and Pueblo native Marco Rios who went on to sign a professional contract with the Switchbacks in November.

In the midst of their 10th season, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks are ushering in a new era.

Tuesday, the club announced the creation of “Switchbacks FC II”, a team for boys ages 13-19, with the goal of identifying, developing and launching “pre-professional and professional boys’ soccer careers,” according to an official release.

Switchbacks II is designed to provide local talent with development pathway that doesn’t require training with a program outside the region.

“I’m excited to see the investment our coaching staff is making into local player development and the enhanced training facility access the Switchbacks can provide,” club president Nick Ragain said in a news release. “There has been a gap in local player development and Switchbacks FC II is bridging that gap.”

Former Division I coach and United States Soccer Federation B licensed Keelan Power will head Switchbacks II and will operate under Switchbacks sporting director Stephen Hogan and coach James Chambers.

Switchbacks II will feature a 30-man fall roster comprised of local players already competing at a high level who have been invited to participate. The club will also host open tryouts in the fall.

Switchbacks II will train at Weidner Field and have access to most of the first-team facilities. The players will also have opportunities to interact with the first team on and off the field.

The team’s first full season will take place next year from February to November and feature United Soccer League Academy Cup and Academy League matches.

Switchbacks II will be a pay-to-play model but can lead to a USL Academy contract, which enables players to compete with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks without forgoing NCAA eligibility at no cost.

Recent academy contract signees include former Rampart High grad Dillon Clarke who trained with the Switchbacks before recently moving on to UCCS, former Liberty standout Caden Hickox and Pueblo native Marco Rios who went on to sign a professional contract with the Switchbacks in November.