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Glendale Heights to host new youth travel program, the 'Glendale Heights Lightning,' with tryouts in May
Summary
Parks and Recreation reported a pending partnership with Chicago Street Soccer Inc. to bring the Glendale Heights Lightning youth travel soccer program to town, with tryouts in May and a goal to field a U‑7 team in fall 2026 under coach Frank D'Angelo.
During the Committee of the Whole on April 2, the Village of Glendale Heights parks and recreation committee reported progress on a new youth travel soccer partnership intended to expand opportunities for local players.
Leisure Services staff said the village is finalizing an agreement with Chicago Street Soccer Inc. to bring a travel program branded the Glendale Heights Lightning to the village. Under the plan, coach Frank D’Angelo will lead the program; tryouts are scheduled for May and the inaugural season would begin in fall 2026 with both fall and spring sessions, uniforms and additional clinics. Staff said they are aiming to field a U‑7 team initially and will expand as interest develops.
The partnership is intended to complement in‑house recreation programming by offering structured travel team opportunities while providing coaching support and clinics for volunteer coaches. Staff said additional information will be shared in the coming weeks with families and in‑house program participants.
Questions from trustees included program age ranges and staff emphasized the program will phase in initial teams and build as registration dictates. No formal board action was recorded on the partnership during the meeting; the report was presented as a committee update.
