Eagleclaw Football Club is a proud member of the Puget Sound Premier League (PSPL). The PSPL provides our Development Teams and Advanced Academy Teams a highly competitive and well-organized league in which to play. Equally important is the fact that the PSPL is highly respectful of Eagleclaw's unique model and vision for player development.
Eagleclaw defines itself by its own player development goals, training philosophy and playing style, not by the league in which we play. Unfortunately, many youth soccer clubs have it the other way around. Our passion and fierce independence thrives in an open environment, something that the PSPL and its sanctioning body, US Club, support and facilitate. Without geographic restrictions or interference from statewide organizations, Eagleclaw is free to pursue its mission of providing the most innovative and effective player development program in Washington state.
An important benefit of our association with the PSPL is the opportunity for Eagleclaw players to participate in the PSPL Surf Academy. Designed to compliment a player's club training, PSPL Surf Academy provides playing opportunities for the ambitious and elite players within the league. The PSPL Surf Juniors Academy is open to boys and girls born in 2006 and 2007 years. The senior program, PSPL Surf Academy, is for 2000-2005 aged players. The program is aimed primarily at increasing the level of these ambitious, elite players by providing them playing opportunities in tournaments to increase their experience and provide exposure to college scouts.
PSPL Surf Juniors provides high-level training for selected players that is fun, age appropriate and serves as a developmental foundation for players who want to challenge themselves with other skilled and ambitious players from around the league. The Surf Juniors Academy provides monthly training over the course of the year with 2 jamborees/tournaments over the course of the year. PSPL Surf Juniors form two training groups, one for Western Washington players and one for Eastern Washington players. The coaching staff consists of the top coaches from PSPL member clubs, including Eagleclaw coaches. Players are selected following tryouts held in October/November. PSPL Surf Juniors is considered a ‘pre-academy’ for the upper Surf Academy.
The Surf Academy, like the Surf Juniors, is for the ambitious, elite player with a selected statewide pool of 20-25 players. The program is open to boys and girls who want to play at the next level and have aspirations for college soccer and beyond. The training staff consist of top coaches from PSPL member clubs, like Eagleclaw. Training is monthly throughout the year with an initial ‘development’ phase consisting of teaching all players so they have an understanding of tactical themes, technical and tactical functional training, and systems of play. During the competitive phase, Surf Academy teams attend college showcases and other high-visibility, out of state tournaments. These playing experiences and exposure compliment the Club team tournaments. Tryouts are held in December.
Eagleclaw encourages amibitous players to attend PSPL Surf Academy tryouts. We already know Eagleclaw training produces talented players. And we are thrilled when our players are selected to PSPL Surf Academy teams to further their soccer ambitions, be observed by college scouts and showcase the results of Eagleclaw's superior training.
For further information, please see the PSPL Surf Academy website at: http://pspl.surfsoccer.com. Or contact Matthew Olson at: matthew@pugetsoundpremierleague.com