Profile in Commerce - Woodland FC
Meet our Profile in Commerce: Woodland Football Club. Woodland FC is Shawnee's very own men's soccer club, playing in the Midwest Premier League. They take pride in developing players at every level, from youth squads to senior teams. Their comprehensive academy program ensures that young athletes receive the training, mentorship, and support they need to excel in soccer and in life.
The Woodland FC Royals are gearing up for their home-opener against visiting AFC Columbia on Sunday, May 17, at 4 PM at Mill Valley High School. Get your tickets here: https://app.gopassage.com/events/woodland-fc-vs-afc-columbia
Ross Harris, President and CEO of Woodland Football Club:
I played soccer competitively for over 30 years. My role is a fun new challenge in my soccer experience. The challenges of administration are constant and rigorous, but not all rigor is mortis. The joys of solving problems in the office were cultivated in the joys and lessons learned of solving stingy defenses as a player. Budgets, scheduling, staffing, recruiting, setting expectations...it takes endless endeavor and work rate to make a new team in a saturated market. But competing is fun, and I believe in our vision. I have loved the game as long as I can remember. Played a bit with the Chicago Fire's academy team, played DII in college at Calvary University (KCMO) finishing 4th all time in the school in goals scored, and captaining the 2012 national championship team. I have coached 5th-8th soccer in Harrisonville for 3 years, and coached college, semi-pro, and ODP players for two years, and have coached in the US Open Cup.
Tell us about your business.
Woodland Football Club was founded in 2023 when I broke my arm playing soccer. I couldn't work, and wanted to be a good example to my kids of how to be productive when times are tough. I took my soccer knowledge and experience and decided to start a team. We specialize in developing people from cradle-career into being true competitors both on and off the field. We know most people won't become professional athletes, but our goal is for them to learn the life skills needed that the game teaches to carry anyone through their future goals as family, friends, and coworkers, whatever their line of work may be, professional athlete or not.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of running your business in Shawnee? Are there any highlights or milestones that stand out?
I love Shawnee. The people are so supportive. Our first home game, when almost no one knew about us, we had 300 people come out to support us at Stump Park. We have fans walking around the city wearing our team's uniforms, and they have no family relation to any of the players on the team whatsoever. Seeing our team's highlights in the State of the City video presentation was a surreal experience for a club that's only 2.5 years old. Winning the Select League title in 2024 for the city was true joy for us. The city has been so good to us, and we want the city to enjoy a soccer team that is for the people of Shawnee. We're close enough to Sporting Park that soccer fans can make a quick commute to us, and we're also close enough to provide a competitive alternative now that times are tough for SKC.
How do you see the future of your business within Shawnee, and are there any local trends or changes that excite you?
At the youth level, the building of our youth academy is massive for us. We have always wanted an academy that trains the Shawnee Mission/Lenexa area kids to play the game the right way, continue the tradition of athletic excellence that typifies those areas. We offer the most affordable professionalism in the area, and have coaches that are skilled at working with all types of kids. As for our senior men's team, as a club that is in the 5th-tier of the US soccer pyramid, we believe the future of US Soccer is not in MLS, but in the USL. We believe the pyramidal structure of the USL best fits what soccer can be at its peak in the US. We know it will come in increments, and it will not be easy to come to fruition, but I'm fine with playing the long game.
How has being part of the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce influenced or supported your business? Could you share any specific examples?
The Chamber has been excellent. The connections I've made would have been near impossible without the networking opportunities that come from them. We've had new fans join us because they bought a jersey of ours from the silent auction at the Lanterns and Luck gala. We've had local businessmen like Scott Christian, Ignis Digital Marketing, sponsor us because they believe in what we're building. The AM Connects have been excellent just for learning how we can pull together to create a lovely city. The roundtable introductions are so fun. I learn about a new local business every time. The chamber has given me so many opportunities--opportunities that are well worth the membership 8 days a week.
If you could share one piece of advice with a new Chamber member or a new business in Shawnee, what would it be?
The Chamber is ready, willing, and able to help you. Talk to them and see how best to get your name out to your community. If you want to know more people, you should go to the people who already know everyone. I appreciate how welcoming and supportive they have been. They want you to succeed.
Do you have a favorite story about the chamber?Â
During the Lanterns and Luck Gala, my wife, Emily, and I were talking with Nathan from Friction Beer Co. about which bottle of whisky to go for in the raffle. He pointed out the Wild Turkey bottle near the front. Emily pulled our card from the deck, and lo and behold, we got the exact one Nathan mentioned. The look on his face when we pulled it was priceless! But it didn't stop there. We tried the gift card wall raffle as well. My wife pulled one of the paper fans, and a $100 gift card to Hank's Garage and Grill was waiting for us. But it didn't stop there! We also won the gift basket from the casino games raffle that contained the Royals tickets. We managed to keep bumping into the Shawnee Chamber's Program Manager, Amy Niemann, all night after we won something, and she happened to be right near us when we won the Royals tickets too! It was a hilarious and fun memory early in our relationship with the Chamber that we will always enjoy.
Learn more about Woodland FC at www.woodlandfc.com and get your tickets to their home-opener at https://app.gopassage.com/events/woodland-fc-vs-afc-columbia.
