Bruno Kalonji and Admiral's Shared Vision
Kalonji Soccer is more than just a club – it’s a mission to develop young talent and create opportunities for players to reach their full potential. Based in Georgia and competing in the MLS Next , National Academy League and in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL), Kalonji has quickly established itself as a rising force, currently ranked the number one UPSL team in Georgia. The club's commitment to player development and community engagement is complemented by its exciting new partnership with Admiral Sports, which will see players donning a striking, high-performance kit for the upcoming season.
FROM REFUGEE TO SOCCER VISIONARY
At age 43, Kalonji Soccer Academy founder, Bruno Kalonji had already lived several lifetimes of experience. Born in Kinshasa, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo), Bruno and his sister arrived in America as refugees fleeing war in Africa. For young Bruno, soccer became more than a game – it was his escape, his salvation, and ultimately his purpose.
“For me, it started long ago when my sister and I came to America as refugees," Bruno explains. "The game was an escape from the war in Africa that allowed me to play in College and professionally. Soccer gave me a life."
That life would eventually evolve into a mission to give back. After his own playing career, Bruno founded Kalonji Soccer Academy (KSA) in Atlanta, dedicated to serving youth in the city's underserved communities. Many of his players share stories similar to his own – displaced from their homes, navigating life in a new country, and finding purpose through the beautiful game.
KSA founder Bruno Kalonji at Atlanta Silverbacks Park with Admiral owner Paul Hamburger.
"I always knew I was going to end up coaching, to give kids the same chance I had," Bruno says. "It's not just about being on the field or teaching the kids. Soccer is a lifestyle."
A FAMILY, NOT JUST AN ACADEMY
What makes KSA special isn't just the quality of soccer training – it's the deep personal connections Bruno forms with his players. "The most amazing feeling is the ability to help a kid who actually has a passion and a dream and take him from point A all the way to the end," he shares. "We build that coach relationship at the beginning which turns into a friendship relationship, to a family relationship."
Players like Owanja Medard echo this sentiment. Forced to flee his home country, Medard found himself in America not knowing where his next meal would come from having left with absolutely nothing. The only thing he had was soccer which he said saved his life. Medard played for
When Bruno approached Medard about joining KSA, everything changed. "When Bruno said he could help me, the first thing that came to mind was, 'I can actually live my dream, I can go to the big leagues, I can help my family, I can do something with my life.'"
Today, KSA is ranked as the number one United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) team in Georgia, providing a crucial platform for players aspiring to reach professional ranks. The club's Pro-Profile UPSL team serves as a steppingstone for players hoping to advance to MLS, other professional leagues, or international opportunities.
Today, KSA are ranked as the number one U19 and U17 MLS Next teams in Georgia and are also the number one ranked United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) team in Georgia, providing a crucial platform for players aspiring to reach dream of playing in college and professionally. The club's Pro-Profile UPSL team serves as a steppingstone for players hoping to advance to MLS, other professional leagues, or international opportunities.
EVERY CLUB HAS A STORY
Since 1914, Admiral's heritage in soccer transcends jerseys, apparel, and equipment. We've been part of countless journeys, from the local pitch to the world's biggest stage, each one unique and meaningful. We've championed clubs, players, and supporters from their first steps to unforgettable moments of greatness. Our club’s stories are at the heart of everything we do. It sets our clubs apart, but it's also what distinguishes us.
CUSTOM DESIGNS FOR EVERY PATHWAY
What makes the Admiral-Kalonji partnership particularly unique is the collaborative design process. Using Admiral's proprietary Admiral ID online apparel design software, Bruno created multiple unique custom designs for each player pathway within the club. Academy, Select, UPSL, and MLS Next teams all have their own distinctive looks, designed by Bruno himself using the intuitive platform.
The process is remarkably streamlined – Bruno created designs live online using Admiral ID, and they're sent straight to production in Admiral's factory. This system ensures each team within the Kalonji organization maintains its own identity while still being unified under the club's mission.
Checking the online Admiral ID design and sending it directly to production
The new collection draws inspiration from Admiral's naval roots. The jerseys feature an all-over wave pattern, while bold stripes on the sleeve cuffs represent the trim of an Admiral in the Navy. These design elements symbolize heritage, discipline, and teamwork – qualities that align perfectly with Kalonji's mission.
BEYOND THE UNIFORM: ADMIRAL'S STORYTELLING PARTNERSHIP
Admiral's partnership with Kalonji Soccer Club extends far beyond providing uniforms. Understanding that every club has a story worth telling, Admiral has made it their mission to amplify Kalonji's inspiring journey through professional media content that helps the club promote their work in the local community and throughout the soccer world.
Recently, Admiral organized a comprehensive photo and video shoot at Silverbacks Park, a facility deeply connected to Atlanta's soccer history. Formerly home to the Atlanta Silverbacks Soccer Club and currently used by the Atlanta Rhinos of the USA Rugby League, the venue carries special significance. In 2007, NFL star Reggie Bush and soccer icon David Beckham filmed a commercial for a competitor sports brand in this same park. Now, it serves as the backdrop for telling the Kalonji and Admiral story.
The location wasn't chosen randomly. With the stadium's rich history at the heart of soccer in Atlanta and Kalonji being an Atlanta-based club, it provided the perfect setting to capture the essence of Bruno's mission and his players' journeys. The resulting content – including player interviews, action shots, and behind-the-scenes footage – will be released on Admiral's social media channels in the coming months, giving Kalonji Soccer the exposure it deserves while highlighting the powerful work happening on and off the field.
CHALLENGES AND TRIUMPHS
Despite the remarkable success, Bruno's journey isn't without significant challenges. "There are many challenges that I face, and I'm constantly haunted by doubt if I can keep going," he admits. "My biggest fear is failing and letting these kids down. This would destroy me."
Yet, the triumphs far outweigh the struggles. Before games, Bruno leads his players in prayer, asking for "strength, wisdom, and guidance to overcome obstacles and achieve glory." He emphasizes to his team that results on the field are secondary to how they conduct themselves as people.
"At the end of a game, I tell them, 'This wasn't about the score. It was about the team becoming one,'" Bruno explains. "You can see the compassion, the passion, and the harmony starting to come together, and that's what's important."
A SHARED VISION
The partnership between Kalonji Soccer Club and Admiral represents a perfect alignment of values. Both organizations understand that soccer is more than a game – it's a vehicle for change, a pathway to opportunity, and a means of building community.
Through their collaborative efforts, they're not just developing players or designing uniforms; they're creating a legacy that extends far beyond the pitch. As Bruno puts it: "KSA is more than just an academy. It's family."
For fans and supporters looking to wear the same iconic kit as Kalonji's players and show their support for this remarkable mission, the Admiral Soccer KSA collection is now available in the online store, featuring the official Game Uniforms and a range of team apparel.
Shop the Kalonji Soccer x Admiral Collection: Online Store
