Why Spokane Sounders? – Leagues

The pillars of the Spokane Sounders are the foundation of how the club approaches operating. Those pillars of Development, Competition, Community, and Enjoyment play a large role in everything. We continue to explore their role with this installment of the Why Spokane Sounders series.

LEAGUES

When it comes to the pillars of development and competition, the Spokane Sounders constantly strives to find a competitive platform that provides the most challenging and educational opportunities for our players. The club does not shy away from difficult opposition in favor of winning as we feel that growth comes from adversity. At the same time, we are dedicated to being a successful member of the soccer community in the Pacific Northwest through our member leagues and giving our players an opportunity to face players and friends that they have made throughout the years throughout the region.

Spokane Sounders has placed more girls and boys players onto collegiate and pro programs than all other youth clubs combined in our area. With our players now having the ability to be showcased on a national platform this will only increase.

Boys ECNL

The Boys ECNL is the nation’s top development and competition platform for the highest level of club soccer in the United States, consisting of some of the best competition in the country. The unmatched collegiate exposure through the ECNL National Events, the largest collegiate showcases in the country. ECNL teams compete with other ECNL-level teams across the United States, both in their own region and national events throughout the year that bring clubs together to compete. This is the highest level of competition that Spokane Sounders provides and it is designed for the elite player looking to play in high-level colleges or potentially with the US National team programs.

The ECNL is the top platform for the Northwest. In the last few years we have had Ray Serrano and Chris Perretti called into professional environments (MLS – Seattle Sounders and Real Salt Lake.) Each of our graduating players have the option to attend and play collegiate soccer, some players chose to attend school and not play. With the ECNL programming, players will have the best platform in our area to provide the best opportunity to be showcased at the highest level.

The Girls Academy

The Girls Academy (GA) is the leading youth development platform for the best female soccer players in the United States. The GA is the only national youth soccer platform that represents the collective vision of member clubs and actively engages the voice of the players to take real ownership in the GA. This collaborative philosophy creates a culture guided by a shared set of core values, which produces an unparalleled experience uniquely designed in the best interest of the players. The GA embraces the desire of club members and GA players alike to maintain an unrivaled standard of excellence in coach, competition, and regional and national showcase events throughout the year. Lastly, the GA is committed to cultivating an environment that empowers each player to reach their best potential as an exceptional athlete and human being by celebrating the player’s journey with a lifelong love of the game through competition, showcases and camaraderie.

Kelcie Hedge and Kelsey Turnbow are the most recent pro players with both being drafted. Each of our club’s graduating players have the option to attend and play collegiate soccer, some players chose to attend school and not play. With the GA programming, players will have the best platform in our area to provide the best opportunity to be showcased at the highest level.

Regional Club League

The RCL is made up of the top 18 clubs of Washington State, and provides the highest level league play and player development in the state of Washington. RCL outlines rigorous standards including criteria and levels of coaching licensure, player development curriculum and training guidelines to ensure a high level of competition. Spokane Sounders are the only club in Spokane accepted to meet those standards.

WISL and PSPL

WISL and the PSPL provides our youngest (U9-U12) and select teams the opportunity to compete locally and potentially statewide at the appropriate level of competition. For our select team this provides a great competitive level at the appropriate level. For our teams at the U9 through U12 age groups, until we play full sided 11 versus 11 soccer and combine all of our geographic areas, the league play provides an outlet as your teams and players continue to develop for the ECNL, GA and RCL.

More from the Why Spokane Sounders Series [+]

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