Quick Notes:

– Our U9/10 Spokane Sounders Junior Program announcement will be published at a later date, though we are currently taking pre-registrations.

– U11-U19 Coaching assignments will be published at the end of this week.

TRYOUT PROCESS – Player Placement

COVID-19 has had an incredible impact on almost everything we do in our day-to-day lives. Our country, state and county are all making positive strides on getting a handle on the virus. Though, we are still under Federal and State mandates to “Stay at Home Stay Healthy” and practice social distancing. While we were hopeful that we could have live tryouts in May, Washington Youth Soccer and the Regional Committee of the RCL felt a backup plan was needed. The Regional Committee made a Player Placement plan and the plan was approved by the Regional Committee and was voted in by all RCL clubs.

Therefore, tryouts will be a player placement process for the 2020-2021 season. There are rules that each RCL club, including our own, will have to follow for the player placement process. Below is the Spokane Sounders player placement process.

Player Placement Process – Team Selection

If you are a current Spokane Sounders player or a player outside of our club, please register for tryouts/player placement at these links (ECNL/RCL Tryouts or SELECT Tryouts) Registration for player placement will need to be concluded by May 5th. There is no cost to sign up for player placement.

After May 5th team placements will only be made after extensive consultation between a player’s coach, the respective director, and the club’s Technical Director. Each placement will be based on a player’s development and performance during the 2019-20 season, and the overall player pool for the age group.

Starting May 6th, the head coach of each team will be contacting and informing each player of their team placement.

Player Registration Process – Confirmation
Spokane Sounders has a plan to alleviate the financial burden on our families, so you can commit to the upcoming soccer season and confirm your place on the team. Players will receive an email with a registration link. Players will need to register for the season by May 15th. A small deposit is required at registration to secure your spot on the team. We will only have monthly payments begin once we are allowed to train outside. Club dues for the 2020-2021 season will be adjusted on a pro-rated basis, based depending on when we can start training outside.

This has been a difficult time in all aspects of life and we are hoping to be back on the field with all of you very soon. If your family has a financial hardship, Spokane Sounders will work with you to alleviate this area of concern. We have financial aid resources that we annually award and give out to members. We understand this year is like no other and potentially more Financial Assistance will be needed. We never want a player, not to be able to play because of financial consideration.

To Summarize our Financial Obligations –
Families will need to make an initial payment of $175 for ECNL/RCL teams or $95 for select teams when registering after team placement. There will be no further payments until we’ve resumed training. For example, if we begin training on August 15th, your first payment will be September 1st.
Club dues will be adjusted on a pro-rated basis, based upon when we can begin training.

Once Registered –
While we are not allowed to conduct training due to COVID-19 we will continue to send out our weekly Individual Player Development Plan, Club wide homework, zoom meetings with your coach, etc. Contact by the coaches will not cease, but only continue.

Player and Team Placement FAQ

We recognize that this is a new and unique process and that many will have questions. We’ve assembled a FAQ to help. If you have additional questions please email peggy@spokanesc.org or a director in the club. (located on the website at www.spokanesounders.org)

Q: How will Spokane Sounders make decisions regarding team placements?
A: Team placements will be made after extensive consultation between a player’s coach, the respective director, and the club’s Technical Director. Each placement will be based on a player’s development and performance during the 2019-20 season, and the overall player pool for the age group.

Q: Will there be player movement between teams even after the placement?
A: Potentially, yes. Given the dynamics of the current situation, player movement between levels, ages, and teams may be necessary to maximize player development. Spokane Sounders has moved players in previous years with the consultation of the coach, respective director, and the club’s Technical director in the best interest of the individual player’s development and team needs.

Q: How did Spokane Sounders come up with this process for player selection?
A: This tryout/placement process has been defined by Washington Youth Soccer in the wake of coronavirus and the ensuing government regulations.

Q: How does this process impact non-Spokane Sounders players who might be interested in joining the club?
A: Players from outside the Spokane Sounders organization that are looking to join are more than welcome to do so. Please be sure that you go register online for our tryouts and our directors will be in contact with you about options for your placement. Our directors and coaches in our club do a fantastic job getting to know all the players in the Spokane area regardless of what club you play for. Our constant work on keeping track of players allows us to help you find the correct fit for your soccer player. We will reach out to you directly and communicate with you starting on May 6th.

Q: What club and player fees can I expect for the 2020-21 season?
A: Currently only a small deposit is required to secure your players placement for the 2020-2021 season. There will be no further payments required while we are not allowed to train due to COVID-19. For example, if we begin training on August 15th, your first payment will be September 1st.
Club dues will be adjusted, based upon pro-rated of when related restrictions are lifted.

Q: I have a Premier high school boy and we have already completed tryouts and paid our registration fee. Do I need to do anything?
A: No. The information here only pertains to the traditional April/May tryout cycle.

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