The Spokane Shadow Youth Soccer Club is proud to offer Premier and Select soccer for the City of Spokane and the Inland Empire Youth Soccer Association.  We participate in the most competitive leagues offered in Washington State and have achieved a #6 state ranking.  Spokane Shadow is the only Inland Empire member of the Regional Club League (RCL). 

We wholeheartedly believe in our mission:

The Spokane Shadow Youth Soccer Club serves Premier and Select youth soccer players by striving to achieve the highest standards of youth soccer development - training, instruction and competition - by focusing on player development in an atmosphere of teamwork, respect, and professionalism.

If you are committed to improving your soccer ability, love competing at the highest levels, want to learn the game from professional and experienced coaches in a positive team atmosphere, Shadow is the place for you! 

What are differences between Shadow’s two primary levels of competition?
Shadow Premier players are drawn from the entire Inland Empire, are hosted by the newly-formed Inland Empire Youth Soccer Association, and play at the highest level of competition in Washington State.  Premier soccer provides many opportunities for players to train with other teams and work with many different, high quality coaches. Our coaching staff boasts some of the best in the state.  Almost all of the coaches have college playing experience, have national licenses and some currently coach at the collegiate level. 

Shadow is the highest ranked club in Eastern Washington, now ranked #6 for all of Washington State.  Shadow is the only club in Spokane to hold membership in the Regional Club League (RCL), which is comprised of the top 21 clubs in the state. 

Shadow Select plays at the next tier of competition.  Teams are formed by geographic regions of the Inland Empire Youth Soccer Association and live within the city of Spokane, east of the West Valley, East Valley, and Central Valley school district boundary lines:
            Shadow-Breakers (South Spokane: Ferris, Lewis & Clark HS)
            Shadow-Sabers FC (North Spokane: Mead, Riverside & Deer Park)
            Shadow-United FC (Central Spokane:  Shadle, North Central, Rogers & Lakeside HS)
            Shadow-FC Storm (West Plains, Cheney, Medical Lake & Airway Heights)    
The Select level of play is coordinated by the Shadow Director of Coaching-Select who oversees team development through a volunteer network of regional directors, coaches, and committees.

The Spokane Shadow Youth Soccer Club strives to achieve the highest standards of soccer development - training, instruction, and competition - while focusing on player development in an atmosphere of teamwork, respect, and professionalism.

Why Shadow?

• Soccer programs run by soccer people!  Our Technical Director, Sean Bushey, and his coaching staff bring a wealth of knowledge not only from the state and region, but from a national and international level working with the Olympic Development Program (ODP) and U.S. Soccer.  We are passionate about the game of soccer and strive to impart our love of the game to our players by loving them, letting them play the game, and helping them be the best they can be.
  
• Focus on player development!  Shadow has proven abilities to develop soccer players as we strive to focus on the whole player and their entire development path, beginning at U10 and until they leave for college. We embrace the total soccer experience. We want players who are fans for life!
  
• Dedicated, licensed, experienced coaches!  Shadow’s Directors of Coaching oversee the Recreational soccer program of the Inland Empire Youth Soccer Association, U10 Junior Program, unified Shadow Select Program, Shadow Premier program, Youth Advancement Program, and the Shadow College Advisory Program.  This streamlined approach to coaching fosters the enjoyment of the game and focuses on player development at all levels of play.  Specific resources are in place to support and educate our recreational and select volunteer coaches so they can learn and pass on new ideas to their players.
  
• Unification!  Spokane’s soccer clubs (Breakers, Sabers, Storm, United & Shadow), focusing on the power of working together, unified to offer a "one stop shopping" soccer experience for all players.  From free preschool soccer festivals to a state premier league championship, the unified Shadow have achieved what other associations and clubs in our region have not.  Working together toward common goals, Shadow and IEYSA put the needs of all youth players first - regardless of their level of play.
• Age-Appropriate Goals & Equipment!  Over $70,000 was invested in new goals and equipment in 2010 when the Inland Empire Youth Soccer Association was launched.  Coupled with soccer ball sponsors and renovated fields at Dwight Merkel Sports Complex, Shadow players compete on fields they can be proud of with equipment that meets their needs.
• Opportunities for Growth!  Individual player development successes are underscored by Shadow Premier players who are participants in the state and regional Elite Development Program/Olympic Development Program; where players are recognized, evaluated, and groomed for the Regional and National team pools for U.S. Soccer.
  
  Can a player try out for both Premier and Select level teams and choose which to play for if accepted by both?  
  Players can certainly tryout for both, but we ask that there already be an understanding that if selected for the Premier level, they would accept.  If a player is not going to accept a position at the Premier level, it is not necessary to tryout at that level.  
  
  From a developmental and experiential perspective, it is most rewarding to play with and against players of similar abilities.  It comes down to enjoyment; we want kids to enjoy playing soccer.  When you move from recreational to competitive, there needs to be an emphasis on getting kids playing with and against kids that are like them ability-wise.  The lop-sided scores that can occur too frequently at the Recreational level is not healthy over time.  It does very few any relative good to be winning easily at the Select level when players should be at the Premier level; and the same goes in the reverse.  This is not about winning; it is about placing players at appropriate levels so they are challenged and rewarded. 
  
  Do Shadow Premier and Select levels have different days for tryouts or are they all together? 
  Different tryout dates and times.  Shadow follows the tryout calendar put forth by Washington Youth Soccer.  Premier tryouts are held before Select tryouts for each age group.
  
  Does the coach have any say in who will be on their team?
  The coach of his/her particular team does have a say; however, teams are selected by ability level.
  
  For example, we have been playing Recreational soccer as a team for five years.  If several of the girls made a Select team, is their anyway to keep them together? 
  It depends on how many teams are being formed at the Select level but yes it can happen; however, again, teams are selected by ability level and not by what team they played on.  Usually, this is a natural concern or question as kids want to stay with their friends.  However, it should be look upon as an opportunity to meet new friends, while keeping their old friends even if they are on separate teams…so it is a win, win! More friends!
  
  How can parent volunteers get involved?
  Parent volunteers willing to coach a Shadow Select team are encouraged to do so!  Please review the coaching positions descriptions and complete the coaching application.  Once you have completed the online application, you will need to contact your area Regional Coordinator and let them know of your interest:
  Shadow-Breakers:  Mike Keenan
  Shadow-Sabers FC:  Ray Starkey
  Shadow-United FC:  Mike Williams
  Shadow-FC Storm:  Mark Kiver
  
  After teams are formed, each Select team needs a volunteer Team Manager.  Premier teams need volunteer Team Managers and Team Treasurers.  These parents offer help to the team so coaches can focus on coaching.  They coordinate tournament registrations, team rosters, game sheets, player cards, and team expenses as needed.
  

The Spokane Shadow Youth Soccer Club is committed to forming as many competitive teams as possible at every age level.  It is our goal to grow the Club membership while remaining competitive. We encourage all interested players to experience the Shadow tryout process, as long as you are willing to make the necessary commitment to the Club upon your selection.  If you have no intention of accepting a roster spot if you are invited, please do not tryout.

Helpful Tips:

1.  REGISTER FOR TRYOUTS IN ADVANCE HERE ON OUR WEBSITE!  This allows us to have your tryout number and evaluation paperwork ready for our coaches and brings a faster check-in.  Walk-ups are welcome, but advanced registration is encouraged.

2.  Players should arrive for tryouts 15 to 20 minutes early to have ample time to check-in. 

3.  Players will be given an assigned number to wear on the leg of their shorts or sweatpants.  They will be identified by their number during the tryout sessions.  Understanding that for many players their soccer gear from a previous team is all they have, wearing former team gear is allowed, but DOES NOT give a competitive advantage to any player at tryouts.  All players must earn their spot on a roster every year and former Shadow players are cut every year.

4.  Relax and have fun!  Our goal is a positive experience and we do not want tryouts to be stressful.  Parents, please let your players manage their own tryout experience.

5.  We suggest a family member accompany each player at tryouts, but we ask that they stay away from the sidelines and do not offer coaching tips or call out to them during the tryout.  Parents will gather at the first tryout session for an informational meeting. 

6.  Tryouts will see players go through a warm up, small sided activities and larger-sided games.  Every effort is made to make sure each player is seen in a competitive environment.  Evaluators include Shadow coaches and/or the Technical Director along with other qualified coaches from our community.  Selected players will receive a phone call or an e-mail from their coach inviting them to join a Shadow team and asking for acceptance.  Results will be posted on the Shadow website. The posting date will be announced at the conclusion of the tryout, but we strive for three days after the tryouts conclude.