Skyhawks Sports Academy Inc., a Spokane business that runs athletic programs and camps throughout the country for children ages 4 to 12, has acquired the assets of SoccerTots International LLC, another children’s athletic development company here that has a presence in the U.S. and Canada.  

Chris Stiles, president of Skyhawks, declined to disclose the terms of the transaction, but says that the acquisition took effect on Jan 1. 

Stiles says the 35-year-old company, which is headquartered at 6311 E. Mt. Spokane Park Dr. in Mead, wanted to expand its offerings.  SoccerTots, founded here in 2002, specializes in programs for children 18 months to 6 years old. 

“We were looking to add a younger-age program,” Stiles says. “A lot of the organizations we work with, and our customers, were always asking about younger programs. SoccerTots is one of the most well-known preschool age providers.”

Skyhawks runs camps and after-school programs for a variety of sports, including soccer, baseball, basketball, flag football, golf, lacrosse, and cheerleading. 

Skyhawks doesn’t own the facilities for its camps, Stiles says, but is contracted by youth-based organizations that do have facilities. 

“Those organizations supply the facilities. We supply the staff, the curriculum, and the know-how,” he says. 

The company’s acquisition includes all SoccerTots programs, including HoopsterTots, CheerTots, VolleyKats, and HockeyTots programs. It also includes a facility at 416 N. Madelia in Spokane Valley where SoccerTots had its offices and taught classes. Like Skyhawks Sports Academy, that company also works worked with organizations such as schools and fitness clubs that had facilities it could use, Stiles says. 

For now, Stiles says, SoccerTots will remain in its headquarters. He also says Skyhawks will continue to use the facility for classes, and will keep the SoccerTots name.

“We’ll continue to use that name for sure; they’ve built up a great brand,” Styles says. 

Skyhawks currently has 10 full-time employees, he says, and SoccerTots has four. The two companies also employ a total of 60 part-time workers and coaches. Skyhawks has retained all of the employees who were with SoccerTots at the time of the acquisition, he says, adding that he’s looking to add a few more employees. 

Stiles says that there were several desirable factors about SoccerTots, including its headquarters being here and that it already had a franchise model in place. 

Skyhawks also offers franchises, Stiles says, and now applicants will have the opportunity to apply for a Skyhawks franchise, a SoccerTots franchise, or both. 

“We’ll sell the franchise in all the markets that we sell Skyhawks,” he says. 

Skyhawks currently has corporate-owned Skyhawks programs in about 70 territories around the country, and about a dozen franchisee-owned territories, he says. Each territory offers all the Skyhawks curriculums. 

“The big picture is we’re looking toward international expansion in the next few years,” he says.