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; formerly Player Development League/PDL), which is comprised of the top 20 clubs in the state. Along with our older teams, who have shown very well in the recent years with a State Championship, a Semi-Final, and several Quarter-finals; our current U12 Premier teams, which were playing up in the District 6 League a year ago, are also excelling. Competing in the Player Development League, the Boys 97 U12 Navy team plays in the top division and the Girls 97 U12 Navy team is in the second highest division.
Shadow Select plays at the next tier of competition. Teams are formed by geographic regions of the Inland Empire Youth Soccer Association:
Shadow-Breakers (South Spokane: Ferris & Lewis and Clark HS)
Shadow-Sabers FC (North Spokane: Mead, Riverside & Deer Park)
Shadow-United FC (formerly Scotties) (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?
There are many tangible benefits to being a part of the Shadow. Our Technical Director and 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.
Individual player development successes are underscored by Shadow Premier players who are participants in the state and regional ODP; where players are recognized, evaluated, and groomed for the Regional and National team pools for U.S. Soccer.
Our club 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. There is a very large contingent of Shadow alumni playing and excelling at the collegiate level to include those at Gonzaga, Memphis, Whitworth, Penn State, University of Puget Sound, Western Washington, Idaho, and Washington State University, to mention a few.
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. This is what should be promoted because it does come 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?
They will both happen on different days within the same week.
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 players and parent volunteers get involved?
1. Players interested in trying out for Shadow Premier and Select teams are encouraged to pre-register. Pre-registration for the 2011-2012 season tryouts will open on this website in February, 2011, for high school boys teams and in March, 2011, for all other Premier and Select teams.
2. 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
