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Coaches Corner
Welcome Shadow
Assistant Coaching Director
Niko Varlamos!
Academic Background:
B.S., Kinesiology, Whitworth University Athletic Background:
4-time State ODP player.
Played 5 years with Crossfire
and won 3 state championships. HS All-Conference, All-Area teams.
Played four years at Whitworth: 2004 Offensive Player of the Year. All-American.
2-time All-Region. 3-time All-Conference. Whitworth All-time leading goal
scorer. 2005 Final Four. Personal:
I have a big Greek family and love spending time with them. I
grew up in Seattle my whole life and somehow made it to Spokane. I enjoy
going on vacations and seeing new things. The last seven months, the closest
I have gotten to a vacation is a soccer tournament in a different state. If anyone wants to send me to Hawaii or Vegas let me know!
Coaching Philosophy:
I believe soccer has to be fun but competitive. If you are not playing in a competitive environment you are not getting the most out of your players. If you are able to get enjoyment, discipline and intensity out of your players that is all you can ask for.
I always enjoyed PLAYING at practices when I was a player. Practices that were intense andhad a game-like environment were the best and left us leaving practice wanting more. Now that I am a coach I believe playing soccer and watching soccer are the best two teachers of the game.
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Shadow Board Adopts Five Policies
Policies outlining:No Pay, No Play RefundsE-mail UsePlayer InjuriesLightning Safety were unanimously passed by the Spokane Shadow Board of Directors at their September meeting. These policies are posted on the Shadow website.
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Don't Hide Your Pride!
Announcing the Spokane Shadow Spirit Gear Store
Coming soon to the Shadow website!
Shadow believes premier soccer should be available to all players based on their desire and ability to play the game, not their financial situation. In support of our Player Financial Assistance Program, we have partnered with Merrill Corporation to offer Shadow Spirit Gear Store on our website - including baseball caps, fleece vests, polo shirts, rain jacket, cinch sacks and sweatshirts. Merrill Corporation will return 10% of all online purchases back to Shadow's Player Financial Assistance Program.
Watch for a Shadow Stoppage Time announcing the date our store will go " live!"
Many thanks to Caroline Smaldon (center) for her creative energy and hard work in getting the Shadow Spirit Gear Store up and running!
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Volunteers Needed!
Kidz Care Community Service Program
Saturday, October 11 - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In partnership with SYSA, Spokane Shadow will offer volunteer assistance for the Saturday, October 11th Kidz Care Program. SYSA recreational soccer players and their families will support Kidz Care by donating items ranging from diapers to baby formula for the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. Shadow and SYSA collection tents will be set up to collect the donations at Dwight Merkel Complex, the South Complex, Andrew Rypien Field and Farwell Elementary.
Shadow volunteers are needed to man the booths in the four locations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 11th. We need your volunteer help to make this event a success. Please consider volunteering with your family or teammates!
Please email Monaca at velocitywrx@yahoo.com if you are able to help! Thank you!
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Cold Weather is Coming!
How to Best Dress for Youth Soccer in Cold Weather
By eHow Sports & Fitness Editor
Soccer is played all year long, in all weather conditions. It's important for players to dress properly in order to enjoy the game and to play most efficiently.
1. Make sure clothing complies with league or team rules, such as color coordination.
2. Invest in state-of-the-art fabrics for optimal warmth and comfort.
3. Dress children more warmly than you would an adult. They have less body fat to keep them warm.
4. Dress goalkeepers in extra layers, since they generate less warmth than field players.
5. Wear turtlenecks under jerseys.
6. Wear less expensive clothing layered over fabrics if cost is an issue.
7. Avoid cotton, which absorbs moisture, making it heavy and uncomfortable.
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