The Spokane Shadow Youth Soccer Club successfully reorganized in 2007 and 2008 by putting the needs and expectations of its players first. With a commitment to teamwork, transparency, and professionalism, Shadow has forged supportive partnerships with organizations that share the same commitment. Our first two Club sponsors were:
Northern Capital Management (NCM), owned by Jim Wilson, sponsored Shadow’s new website and invested in soccer equipment, including over one hundred high quality training soccer balls, equipment, Shadow tents, banners, and inventory promoted on the Club’s website Shadow Spirit Gear store. NCM also has sponsored Shadow coaches who wish to obtain national soccer coaching licenses. The home game hospitality offered during our January and February home games is also a result of NCM’s commitment. Tents, propane heaters, warm beverages, and snacks have been made available to our Shadow teams and their opponents, thanks to NCM.
Craven’s Coffee, owned by Simon and Becky Thompson, opened its warehouse gym to Shadow in 2008. In response to the Club’s need for indoor training facilities during winter months, the Craven’s Warehouse is generously offered at no charge. From November, 2009 through February, 2010, seven Shadow premier teams will train at the Craven’s Warehouse on a regular basis and group training sessions for our U10 and U11 age groups will be held. This donation of hundreds of free training hours is an incredible gift from Craven’s Coffee and the Thompson family.
Shadow is pleased to announce two new official club sponsors:
Spokane Soccer Academy (www.spokanesocceracademy.com)
Selected for the 2009 Best of Spokane Award for Sports Instruction – Academy Style Training, Individual Training & Team Camps category
The Spokane Soccer Academy (SSA), directed by Kevin Moon, aspires to provide the highest quality soccer training to maximize individual player potential. The focus is on individual skill development, instilling discipline, confidence with the ball, a higher work ethic, and greater expectations.
Joint Ventures and Community Projects:
1. Youth Advancement Program: In conjunction with the Spokane Shadow Youth Soccer Club and Spokane Youth Sports Association, the Spokane Soccer Academy offers free soccer skills training programs to recreational youth soccer players. In 2008/2009, the Youth Advancement Program served 850 U8 - U11 players. Thirty Spokane Shadow premier soccer players volunteered their time to serve as junior coaches.
2. TOPSoccer Program Sponsor: The outreach program for US Youth Soccer, TOPSoccer is a community-based training and team placement program for differently-able players over four years of age who have a mental or physical disability. This unique program enables these special athletes to play at levels consistent with their skills, not necessarily their age.
3. Shadow Play Days: Introduced in October, 2009, Shadow Play Days focus on fun and skill-building through small-sided games, led by Shadow coaches and premier players volunteering through the Shadow Ambassador Program.
Shadow Player and Team Training Opportunities:
1. Shadow Family Discount: For Shadow families registering two or more players in a Spokane Soccer Academy session, family discounts will be extended.
2. Training Session Give-Aways: During spring, summer, and fall sessions, each Shadow U10-U18 coach will be asked to submit a name of a player from their team to be placed in a drawing for a free Spokane Soccer Academy session:
Laying the Foundation: U10 – U12
Junior Academy: U13 & U14
- Boy’s Academy
- Girl’s Academy
Advanced Academy: High School Ages
Striking & Finishing
- Advanced Academy Level: High School Ages
- Junior Academy Level: U12 – U14
Soccer Mom’s Class
3. Team Training Discounts: For Shadow Select teams looking for extra team training opportunities, a $10 per player discount will be extended. (Minimum of 16 players for four 1½ hour sessions @ $80 per player).
4. Shadow Gear Give-Aways: Shadow players will be eligible for Shadow gear drawings held on the Spokane Soccer Academy website. Drawings will be held seasonally and winner’s names will be published on the SSA site and in the Shadow Review newsletter.
Marriott Hotels (www.marriott.com)
Travel to tournaments and league games and assisting opposing teams traveling to Spokane is a part of the Shadow playing experience. In order to find consistent, discounted hotel rates throughout the U.S., Shadow has partnered with Marriott hotels (including SpringHill Suites, Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inns).
1. Shadow now has one centralized Marriott hotel sales contact: Erin Wagner. Erin will work with directly with our team managers to coordinate hotel group blocks, dates, and rates at any Marriott property. She will also coordinate reservations for our opponents traveling to Spokane at our local Marriott hotels (Courtyard Spokane Downtown, Fairfield Inn Downtown, and Residence Inn Spokane East Valley).
2. Marriott Rewards: Rooms blocked through our central sales person will be credited to Shadow’s Marriott Rewards account and individual family Marriott Rewards accounts. From there, based on rooms realized by each team, any discounts or upgrades will be forwarded on to Shadow teams to help reduce team expenses.
3. Marriott Affiliate Program: Shadow is now eligible to earn commissions earned on each stay at a Marriott hotel - whether you travel for Shadow, personal or business reasons! Commissions will be forwarded back to participating team accounts to help reduce team expenses. Two ways this works:
* For individual reservations, click on the Marriott logo link on the Shadow website to make your reservation at any hotel.
* For group reservations, reserve rooms under the team block that has been coordinated by your team manager and Erin Wagner, our Marriott sales contact.
