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Dear Shadow players, parents, and friends:
It is with disbelief that I write this letter, knowing this could be the last time we use the name "Shadow" in reference to our club. In an incredibly baffling decision, Spokane Youth Sports Association (SYSA) has decided to make money off of our Shadow name by attempting to charge our families.
 Since our club's inception in 2000, Shadow families have faithfully paid annual dues to SYSA - $110 a player. This amounts to over $30,000 each year. We did this faithfully and they provided a service back to us - from referees, to fields, to player cards, to what have you. Cumulatively, we have paid them close to $250,000. During that time, while there have been disputes and hiccups along the way, we have certainly raised SYSA's profile by competing at a state level that no other club has been able to reach - a credit to our players, our coaches, and our families. We believe we have been good members for them.
When our club reorganized in 2007, the founders of our club agreed to license the Shadow name to SYSA for a mere $50. This gave control over our club name to SYSA, but our organizational partnership was built on trust and common goals. However, last week (May 4th), SYSA decided to part ways and sever their relationships with Shadow, Breakers, Sabers, Scotties, and Storm FC by affiliating with US Club Soccer, as opposed to Washington Youth Soccer. They  did this with the knowledge we could not follow them as our kids deserve to play in the highest and most organized soccer leagues in the state, whether that is the Player Development League (PDL) or the District VI league, both of which fall under Washington Youth Soccer. (Sole members of US Club Soccer cannot play in these leagues.) It was their right to choose this direction, but it showed no concern for the almost 2,000 select and premier soccer playing kids in our area.
Throughout the dispute between Washington Youth Soccer and SYSA this past fall and winter, the Shadow stood by SYSA's side in a show of support. When many people were running to seek other options away from SYSA, we remained loyal. We felt it was the right thing to do. Up until SYSA's decision on May 4th to separate from us, we believed we could work out an amicable agreement in the best interest of every soccer playing child from 5-18 years old in Spokane.
 Just two weeks ago SYSA verbally accepted operational and licensing agreements with the newly formed Inland Empire Youth Soccer Club (IEYSA), formed by the Shadow, Sabers, Breakers, Scotties, and Storm FC. These agreements would have aligned recreational soccer with our unified select and premier soccer together in Spokane to create consistent and clear
playing opportunities for all kids. Things changed dramatically on May 4th when the SYSA Board of Directors changed their minds and chose to affiliate with US Club Soccer and abandon discussions with our Spokane clubs and IEYSA.
Amazingly, less than 24 hours later on May 5th, SYSA met with a local rival club; a club that had frequently spoken and written negatively about SYSA and in fact worked to recruit players away from SYSA over the past decade. One can only presume the agenda was to seek out an agreement in hopes of channeling more kids to SYSA. (This rival club had earlier announced they were going the US Club Soccer route as well.) It was stunning for us to come to the realization SYSA had abandoned its most loyal supporter of the past 10 years and opened dialogue with a rival. It is also stunning that SYSA has yet to officially write to its former member clubs (Shadow, et al) regarding their decision to move in a direction we could not follow. No communication; no letter of thanks for all the years of support.
On May 7th, SYSA put forth an "agreement" to our Club for the "right" to use our Shadow name. This proposed agreement would force us to pay them $5 for every Shadow select and premier player registered with our club AND $5 for each participant in Shadow camps, tournaments, and programs (even the FREE Youth Advancement Program we offer to 7,8 & 9 year olds every fall and spring!). In addition, they offer no reciprocal services and restrict how we could use our name. Our U10 Junior Program would not be allowed to use the Shadow name! Even more astonishing, the term of the agreement is two years, which places the Club at the mercy of the SYSA Board every 24 months. At the conclusion of the two year term, they could take the name away, substantially increase the fee for continued use, or choose to take our name and use it for their benefit through soccer camps or other sports programs they maintain.
We are dismayed beyond belief and cannot see how our club can agree to their terms. We must be good stewards of our resources. As such, we must look at CHANGING OUR NAME.
This name has been built by so many others - so many more than before I  became involved with this club; so many kids and families. There is one thing we know: SYSA has done little to build the Shadow name. They have housed the name and they have control over the name; but, they have done nothing to build it. As a club, we dutifully strive to
be good stewards of the funds entrusted to us. We see no way possible
that paying SYSA money for a name would constitute good stewardship.
From our perspective, SYSA has decided to try and capitalize on our growth and success (we are now over 800 members and growing). SYSA seeks to profit from our name and we do not believe it is right. While it is within their right to ask, it is within our right to say "no," which we will do. Our club will be in touch again shortly with our plan of action. We will do what is in the best interest of our loyal players and families. One thing is certain; we will continue on our path of growth and strength, and we will serve our kids to our utmost.
Mike Keenan
President, Board of Directors
Spokane Shadow Youth Soccer Club
Click here to find SYSA's proposal linked on our website.
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"Happiness begins where selfishness ends." - John Wooden    |
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