Spokane Shadow Youth Soccer Club

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Spokane Shadow Youth Soccer Club Announces Junior Youth Director

Matt Leonard brings wealth of experience to new role

The Spokane Shadow Youth Soccer Club is pleased to announce that Matt Leonard has been named Junior Youth Director for the 2009-10 year. Matt (“Bones”) has his US Soccer B license and has many years of coaching experience—from youth soccer to high school soccer to now collegiate soccer. He has a passion for the game (though he’s a Manchester United fan), remains very active in playing after a successful collegiate career, is a great communicator both in written and verbal forms, and very much enjoys coaching youth players! He has taken teams to the Final Four in the state cup and has seen his teams consistently compete in the highest leagues of the state. More importantly, he relates well to kids and to parents alike. Matt certainly sees the good in people! He has also been a long time teacher at Havermale High School. He is nearing the completion of his Master’s degree—all while teaching full time and coaching multiple teams at the same time…and being a lead administrator and coach for residential camps in the summer. He can multi-task!

The Junior Youth Director (JYD) will oversee the formation of U11 teams at the Select and Premier level. More importantly, this position will work directly with coaches to equip them with tools to better prepare and develop our young soccer players in our community. The JYD will oversee four Regional Coordinators, who will be charged with coordinating a geographical area within our association. The Regional Coordinators will seek to find quality individuals to work with teams in their area all under the guidance and direction of the Junior Youth Director, who will seek to carry out the mission of the Spokane Shadow Youth Soccer Club.

2009-2010 Shadow U11 Premier Team Coaches

U11 Boys:
Owen Omiya will be our Navy team coach. Owen enters his 5th season of coaching with the club; he has his US Soccer C license; he played collegiate soccer at St Mary’s and Gonzaga University and very much enjoys coaching.

Ben Rotert joins the Shadow staff after completing his collegiate soccer career at Whitworth University. Ben was an All Conference selection and an important contributor to winning back to back conference titles at Whitworth. He brings energy and spirit, with the ability to organize and communicate.

U11 Girls:
Allison McCready enters her 8th season with the Shadow club and will be our Navy team coach. Ali has earned her C license as well and will bring great experience to this age group as she has been a mainstay with great success of keeping kids excited about playing.

Ashley Jones enters her 4th season with the club. She holds her US Soccer D license and has been the Ferris HS girls soccer coach the past 2 seasons, while holding a teaching position there as well. Ashley has a great spirit about her and brings the desire to do right by her players.

All of our coaches at this age group had successful playing careers as well—going through the ranks of youth soccer to compete at four year universities. They have all earned their collegiate degrees and are more importantly excellent role models for the children of our community. There is no doubt that they help to make our Shadow Premier coaching staff one of the best around.

2009-2010 Shadow U11 Select Team Coaches

For the Shadow-Breakers, Shadow-Sabers, Shadow-Scotties, and Shadow-Storm Select teams, the Regional Coordinator will select the age group coaches, in collaboration with the Junior Youth Director. This work is in progress and will be announced as soon as possible.

Shadow Select coaches are devoted volunteers who often have played and/or have coached at the recreational and select levels. These are not paid positions. Coaches may have a child playing on the team.