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Spokane Shadow and Spokane Soccer Club Elite Youth Soccer Clubs Announce Intention to Merge
Bringing together Spokane's most successful premier clubs serving over 1,100 players each year in the greater Inland Empire |
 | | SSC Elite Director of Coaching Abbas Faridnia and Spokane Shadow Technical Director Sean Bushéy Announce Intent to Merge |
Spokane, WA - Committed to making soccer opportunities better for premier and select youth player in the Inland Empire, the Spokane Shadow Youth Soccer Club and Spokane Soccer Club (SSC) Elite Youth Soccer Club have announced their intent to merge, joining together their player, coaching and club resources. The new club will be known as Spokane Soccer Club (SSC) Shadow. Shadow Technical Director Sean Bushéy will serve as SSC Shadow Technical Director with SSC Elite Director of Coaching, Abbas Faridnia overseeing the club soccer operations and programming as SSC Shadow Director of Coaching.
The merger will:
- bring unrivaled licensed, professional coaching depth,
- expose all players to a variety of coaches along their developmental pathway,
- guarantee unique player development-centered training opportunities,
- secure greater premier-level competition and success in state-wide Regional Club League (RCL) play; and, will
- provide consistent coaching instruction and oversight for locally-competing Select teams.
"Our Spokane soccer players deserve to compete against the very best our state, region and, eventually, our nation has to offer," said Shadow Technical Director Sean Bushéy. "We cannot do that if we do not find ways to work together. Our clubs have found a way!" Echoed SSC Elite Director of Coaching, Abbas Faridnia, "While others have chosen to blaze a path for a few coaches, we have chosen to bring two clubs together because we know it is best for players at all levels, coaches and the community as a whole. Our competition lies at a higher level. Our players deserve this chance to represent Spokane and the outlying cities from which they reside, including north Idaho, Pullman and Moses Lake."
The Regional Club League, hosted by Washington Youth Soccer, is the highest level of competitive premier-level league play in the state. The only club in the greater Inland Empire to belong to the RCL, Spokane Shadow is a charter member of the league having met and maintained the stringent criteria for membership since its inception. The Spokane Shadow has been ranked 6th in the Washington the past two years and is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Spokane Soccer Club Elite, also a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, has a long history of soccer in our community and have experienced great growth since 2005. The club achieved a #18 ranking in the state in 2011. SSC Elite hosts two of the region's largest annual youth soccer tournaments: the Northwest Cup and the Inland Northwest 5-A-Side. These tournaments welcomed over 300 teams in 2011.
"We are focused on raising the level of play at every level, from the Recreational level to the Select level to the only true Premier level available - the Regional Club League," said Faridnia. According to Bushéy, "And while playing collegiate soccer is not our sole focus, nor our ceiling, no other clubs in Eastern Washington have produced more players in collegiate programs than Shadow and SSC Elite. Where do collegiate coaches go to find players? They go to the best teams; the best teams are consistently found in the best clubs. The best clubs play in the best leagues. This is where players are tested and proven over time. The best league in Washington, is unquestionably the RCL. The success of the clubs that compete in the RCL is unrivaled. SSC Shadow players will have the best opportunities."
Annual tryouts for SSC Shadow premier and select soccer will be held in May. All interested players are invited to tryout and are asked to register in advance. Tryout registrations will be hosted on the Spokane Shadow and SSC Elite websites as follows:
U11-U15 Girls and Boys & U16-U18 Girls SSC Shadow Regional Club League premier teams:
Register at www.spokaneshadow.org OR www.spokanesoccerclub.com
U11-U15 Girls and Boys & U16-U18 Girls Select Club teams in the City of Spokane:
Register at www.spokaneshadow.org
U11-U15 Girls and Boys & U16-U18 Girls Select Club teams in the City of Spokane Valley: Register at www.spokanesoccerclub.com
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The Spokane Shadow Youth Soccer Club serves Spokane's premier youth soccer players committed to advancing their skills and love of soccer by striving to achieve the highest standards training, instruction and competition in an atmosphere of teamwork, respect, and professionalism. Shadow is the only Inland Empire member of the Regional Club League (RCL) which consists of the top 21 clubs in Washington Youth Soccer (www.wsysa.com). Visit www.spokaneshadow.org for information.
Spokane Soccer Club is very proud to adhere to a philosophy that promotes the development of each player to his/her maximum potential through skill development, physical fitness, tactical awareness, mental toughness, and love of the game. It also encourages competitiveness while maintaining high standards of sportsmanship. Additionally, SSC recognizes that to be an effective player, the athlete must have a thorough understanding of the Laws and the appreciation of the spirit of the game. Visit www.spokanesoccerclub.com for information. |
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