Soccer is the most popular game in the world, for this there is no doubt. It is also one of the top youth sports in our country with participation rates growing each year. The Spokane Shadow Youth Soccer Club seeks to foster this love of the game for players of all ages, and to that end we develop programs to serve children of all ages and abilities.
We are excited to announce the Shadow Junior Program specifically designed for 9 year olds (U10s). This program will be for the child seeking to expand their soccer experiences by receiving age-appropriate soccer training and playing experiences with others of similar abilities. We are pleased to offer this 2010-2011 program, nearing the completion of an exciting inaugural 2009-10 season, for which 70 kids participated. Our first year objective was to keep the group small while we investigated the successes and challenges of the program; and it has come through with great reviews!
We have made refinements to improve for the 2010-11 season and are now ready to promote this through the newly-formed Inland Empire Youth Soccer Association (IEYSA) for all those interested. The Inland Empire Youth Soccer Association will offer two levels of U10 soccer: the traditional recreational league players and families are accustomed to and the U10 Shadow Junior Program:
Option 1: Traditional Recreational Soccer through the Inland Empire Youth Soccer Association
(visit www.ieysa.com to register) Season Duration: 8 weeks in the Fall and 6 weeks in the Spring Number of Games: 6-8 per season Cost: Inland Empire Youth Soccer Association fee of $95 Practice Location: varies, but near local schools League travel: within the city; game times and locations vary throughout the season. Coaching: volunteer, parent coaches
Option 2: Shadow U10 Junior Program Season Duration: 8 weeks in the Fall and 6 weeks in the Spring Number of Games: 6-8 per season Cost: $230 program fee; $95 Inland Empire Youth Soccer Association fee; $11 training gear fee. Practice Location: one centralized location League travel: the goal is to have one centralized location with game times the same each Saturday during the season. Coaching: Kevin Moon, Director of Coaching-Juniors, will oversee the curriculum and instruction of each of the practice sessions through the Fall and Spring. The Junior Director will also oversee the game competition to ensure proper development philosophies are implemented. Volunteer coaches will assist in running each of the sessions under Kevin’s supervision.
U10 Junior Program Overview
2011-2012 U10 Junior Program Overview
Club Philosophy:
The Spokane Shadow focuses on what is developmentally and age appropriate for the player. Our goal at the U10 age is to produce better soccer players so they can enjoy playing the game even more; winning is secondary at this age. We want to build soccer players for life—fans of the game for life. More importantly, we want to provide an opportunity to learn in a friendly, educated, and enjoyable environment. We want kids to smile; we want kids to grow; we want kids to develop healthy habits; and we want them to have fun!
Our U10 Program welcomes all interested players. There is no tryout, there are no “cuts." All players who register here and attend Evaluation Nights are accepted in to the program.
Players:
Will be formed into groups of like ability after ID/Evaluation Nights are held May 24 & 25, 2011. As many groups as can be accommodated will be. Our goal is to have 3-4 groups per gender.
Groups will number 12-24 in size.
Those born between August 1, 2001 and July 31, 2002 may participate.
Will be provided practice opportunities under a guided age and ability-appropriate setting.
Get to play in a new game format (explained below).
Become a part of a Club that has proven results in developing players and that has a philosophy of keeping the game fun for kids.
Program Director:
Shadow Senior staff will oversee weekly training sessions and will form the basis of the educational program for players and coaches.
Must support, follow and implement the club philosophy, training strategies, game philosophy and player first philosophy (team result is not as important as player development.) We are not about developing teams, but we are very much about developing players.
Must be able to communicate to players, club staff and parents.
Should have soccer background.
Should be willing to seek coaching licensing if one is not already possessed.
Parents:
Parent education will be provided in regards to how to best support their child’s activities within the framework of the club.
Program:
League: Players will be organized by ability level into groups. This will form their training/practice and game groups for the season, though groups can change from week to week if appropriate.
Fall and Spring seasons: Each game day (Saturdays) players will be formed into new “teams,” but within their ability group.
Summer: In June, 1-2 opportunities to gather to “play” before school gets out. July will be off; enjoy the summer!
Late August, the Fall sessions will begin. 1 or 2 local “festivals,” opportunities will be provided where the emphasis will be on playing (June and late August).
Winter: Off
Practice: Will all be lead, either in person or by lesson plan, by Kevin Moon, Director of Coaching-Juniors, or his designee from the Shadow Senior staff. Practices will occur twice per week (Monday and Fridays, for example.) Practices will be held at Dwight Merkel Complex twice/week during Fall and Spring seasons. The Fall session will be 8 weeks and the Spring session 6 weeks. Each night will be Academy-style training to focus on skill development and playing opportunities. The organization and instruction is unmatched by any program in the state!
Games: Will be conducted in the Fall and the Spring seasons. In their groups, players will compete in a 6v6 format per US Soccer guidelines (guidelines that have been developed by the top coaches at the highest levels in our country).
Creativity, enjoyment, sportsmanship and a positive atmosphere will be the emphasis. When players are partnered with and against players of similar abilities, true enjoyment and development can occur. This is the aim of our program!
Players will come back each week to play at the same time and at the same place, making it convenient for families.
Equipment:
Age appropriate, first class, real soccer goals provided for training and for games.
High quality practice balls for every session
Scrimmage vests
First-rate equipment for first-rate kids! No one matches what we provide.
Cost:
$ 250 Shadow club fee (Less than $6/hour for the Fall and Spring training sessions alone, not including game times!).
$75 Inland Empire Youth Soccer Association (IEYSA) fee .
$11 Uniform fee (jersey and short underwritten by Inland Empire Youth Soccer Association!).
Soccer is the most popular game in the world, for this there is no doubt. It is also one of the top youth sports in our country with participation rates growing each year. The Spokane Shadow Youth Soccer Club seeks to foster this love of the game for players of all ages, and to that end we develop programs to serve children of all ages and abilities.
