Wichita Oberliga: Building a Grassroots League with a German Touch

Why Grassroots Football Matters

Grassroots football is the foundation of the global game. Beyond wins and losses, it promotes health, community, and opportunity. Studies have shown that adult grassroots football improves physical fitness, boosts mental health, combats social isolation, and builds lifelong friendships (Hype Train FC). In England, the Football Association estimated that grassroots football contributes over £10 billion annually in combined social and economic value—demonstrating its power to strengthen not just bodies, but communities too (The FA).

Grassroots football is also uniquely inclusive. Anyone can play, regardless of age, gender, or background. As Diamond Football notes, “no one is excluded from grassroots football” (diamondfootball.com). This makes the game a unifying force across neighborhoods, towns, and cities.

The Wichita Oberliga: A New Model for the Midwest

The Kansas City Association Football Federation (KCAFF) is launching the Wichita Oberliga as the newest regional grassroots league with hopes to begin play in spring of 2027. Based in Wichita, KS, the Oberliga will stand out from other KCAFF leagues because it is being built on the German football ownership model.

In Germany, clubs operate under the “50+1 rule”, which ensures that the majority of voting rights remain with members rather than outside investors. This approach keeps clubs deeply rooted in their communities while still allowing private investment and sponsorship to support growth.

By adopting these principles, the Wichita Oberliga will:

• Empower local ownership: Clubs will be majority community-owned, ensuring that decisions reflect the interests of players, fans, and neighborhoods.

• Promote sustainability: With shared responsibility, clubs are less vulnerable to financial instability.

• Strengthen community identity: Supporters will have a direct say in their club’s culture and future, making football more than a sport—it becomes a civic institution.

Building Clubs, Building Community

KCAFF envisions the Wichita Oberliga starting with a core group of clubs, each reflecting its neighborhood or community identity. To make this possible, the league is seeking members and part-owners to step forward and take part in founding these clubs.

Being part of club ownership in the Oberliga means more than organizing a team—it means shaping a community hub. Members and owners will:

• Recruit players and coaches from their communities.

• Establish youth pathways to keep kids active and engaged.

• Organize fundraising and events that keep clubs financially healthy.

• Build inclusive teams open to players of all ages and backgrounds.

As Sports Tours highlights, grassroots football “provides opportunities for everyone to participate” and helps young people develop essential life skills like teamwork, communication, and resilience (sports-tours.co.uk). These values will be at the heart of every Oberliga club.

A European Model, a Midwestern Flavor

The Wichita Oberliga blends European tradition with American ambition. By modeling itself after the German system, the league ensures clubs are community-first, democratic, and sustainable. At the same time, it will bring a distinctly Midwestern spirit—friendly rivalries, family involvement, and the shared love of “the beautiful game.”

Get Involved

The Wichita Oberliga is ready to kick off—but it needs founding members and part-owners to bring it to life. If you or your group is interested in helping establish one of the league’s clubs, contact KCAFF today.

• 🌐 Website: theselectleague.wixsite.com/oberliga

• 📧 Email: kcaff.contact@gmail.com

• 📞 Phone: 913-333-1714

Be part of history: help launch Wichita’s first community-owned football league, and bring the German model of sustainable, grassroots soccer to the Midwest.