DEVELOPMENT
• Development comes first for every player.  We demonstrate this in a number of ways:  •age appropriate training  •player-centered practices and game philosophies • league placement opportunities.
• Credibility.  Unique to SSC Shadow our Technical Director holds an esteemed 16+ year US Soccer ’A’ license, continues his nearly 2 decades as a collegiate level coach, served as influential coach for the Regional Olympic Development Program (ODP) and has produced numerous All Conference, All Region, All American and youth National team players.  Our Technical Director oversees all areas of the club from its coaches to its operations.  Learn more about our distinguished Technical Director.
• Talent.  A coaching staff hand-picked by our esteemed technical director with a wide variety and combination of coach licensing, collegiate players, collegiate coaching and tenured skills, all to be passed on to young soccer players.  Our coaching staff is unrivaled in terms of soccer experience and coaching licensing.  Moreover, our Director of Coaching was a successful collegiate player before pursuing a career in youth soccer that saw club membership grow dramatically under his charge, earning his A License while also coaching at the State ODP level and growing one of the largest youth soccer tournaments in Eastern Washington.
• A place for every player.  Our "premier" teams are defined as RCL teams.  These teams play at the highest level of competition in Washington state--the Regional Club League. Each of these teams are provided advanced level coaching and competition along with appropriate developmental challenges.  Our Select Program is for the player seeking advancement from recreational play and development influences from the premier level.  Learn more about our different programs:

• U8/U9 Pre-RCL Academy
• U10 Pre-RCL Program
• U11 Premier & Select Programs
• U12-U18 Premier & Select Programs

• Variety.  SSC Shadow players “graduate” from one coach to another.  Emphasis lies at the feet of the player and not in coaches building teams for the coach’s sake.  Just as in the classroom, it is important to expose players to a variety of coaches and teaching styles.
• Success.  SSC Shadow players consistently find success at the state and regional Olympic Development level, contribute significantly to their high school teams, and several move on to play at the collegiate level.

COMPETITION
• Simply put, Shadow provides a level of competition no other club in our region can offer.  Competitive play for the competitive player!
• Appropriate Placement.  Shadow players are placed at the most challenging, yet, appropriate level for their age group.  We won’t sacrifice your child’s safety or developmental success to win games.
• All levels of play.  U8/U9 & U10 developmentally appropriate training with players of similar abilities, U11 district league play to minimize travel, U12 and above play at the highest level Regional Club League (RCL). 

COMMUNITY
•  SSC Shadow is a club both on and off the field.  About 25 million Americans are playing soccer, 80% are kids.  Youth sports have big benefits both to participants and the community as a whole.  Research links participation to better grades and self esteem, long-term improvements in education, employment and physical/mental health.  SSC Shadow emphasizes the opportunity to promote and encourage well-being through soccer.
• SSC Shadow provides a club of soccer not just teams.  An early U10 program to engage players in a higher level of instruction, opportunities for players to train with other players at other levels, opportunities for players to serve as mentors to younger players, coaches who collaborate and work with a variety of teams throughout the season, support of the Youth Advancement Program.
• Volunteers.  We are a club who attracts hundreds of generous volunteers.  From college coaches to teachers to business professionals to stay-at-home Moms, SSC Shadow brings and entire community of support together for your child.  We look forward to you joining us!

ENJOYMENT
• Having fun is part of the game!  We emphasize enjoyment of the game at all levels for our hard working players.  We also stress the importance of parents relaxing with this time in their child’s life to enjoy watching them play.  It is play, after all! 
• "Soccer is a beautiful game because it belongs to us all," Coach Arsene Wenger famously states.  "Across every continent, now more than ever, soccer is a common language and a culture shared … the game is at the heart of growing up, at the heart of life itself, for millions of children all over the world." 

There are so many confusing options out there for youth soccer players that it can become overwhelming to players, parents and even coaches.  SSC Shadow recommends that families take a long look at each club:  view their website, watch their teams train and compete, talk with their alumni, current players and parents, look at how their history matches the goals of your player!   



What to look for?

Quality Leadership & Coaching Staff - this is THE critical piece of a Club.
1.  Do they have qualified leadership to oversee their program?  Are their philosophies player-centric or team-centric?  What is their reputation; what motivates them?  Qualified=experience and licensing.  US Soccer provides licensing in our country.  The Lead Director of any club should have the highest license, which is an A License.

• SSC Shadow Technical Director Sean Bushéy and Director of Coaching Abbas Faridnia are A licensed with a vast array of coaching experience at a variety of levels from youth to college. 

2.  Are the club’s coaches licensed, what is their experience—both as players and coaches?  What is their educational background?  How many coaches do they have?

• Shadow’s coaching staff is second to none.  4 hold USSF National A licenses, 6 hold USSF National B, 7 hold USSF National C and 9 hold USSF National D.  See for yourself!  Our coaches meet and exceed these criteria; more importantly, they are great role models for kids! 

Historical Success - what is their history of player, team and Washington Youth Soccer State Cup Tournament success?
1.  Player success-- Stability, teams at every age, player development (where do players end up?  College placement can be a criterion.  Olympic Development and Elite Development Program placement is another.  High School All-League, All-Conference and All-State teams yet another.)

• You will find that SSC Shadow meets all of these determinants and does so to a degree that no one else matches in the greater Spokane area.

2.  Team success--What is their competition and how do they do?  This can be the hardest one to decipher as there are so many monikers out there, it becomes confusing.  We recommend that you look at the other clubs they play against.

• Here you will find that the Regional Club League hosts THE top clubs in the state; the traditional top 20 clubs all reside in this league (including Crossfire, Washington Premier FC, Pac NW, Eastside FC, Seattle United FC, to name a few).  Shadow is proud to be original members of this outstanding league, earning the right by meeting stringent criteria.

3.  Washington Youth Soccer State Cup Tournament success—this is where the top teams, even non-RCL teams compete; anyone serious about their soccer plays in this Washington Youth Soccer cup.  The Championship Cup is the highest level, with the Challenge Cup being the second tier.

• SSC Shadow has been ranked #6 in Washington for the past 3 years.  No club in Eastern Washington has had more success than SSC Shadow.  It continues this year as well!

Professionalism
1.  All youth soccer organizations desire your child to be a part of their program.  But, are they really prepared to serve?  What does it look like when you enter into their site?  What do you see at their practices and games?  What “real” information can you find?
What is the depth of their program offering?

• From U8/U9's, U10's and older, SSC Shadow has it all!

2.  Are they a properly functioning business?  A non-profit 501 (c)(3)organization that properly identifies itself to help ensure the proper handling of funds?

• Shadow is a 501 (c)(3) organization committed to financial transparency.

• Shadow has an elected Board of Directors, not an appointed Board of Directors.