SEATTLE, WASH. - Seattle Sounders FC today announced its latest youth partnership agreement with Central Washington Sounders (CWS), formerly known as Central Washington Soccer Academy. The premier club of Central Washington joins out-of-market affiliates Spokane Soccer Club Shadow and North Carolina's Twin City, in addition to local agreements with Seattle United, Eastside FC and Pacific Northwest Soccer Club, as Sounders FC continues to grow its developmental reach.
"We are very excited to reach an agreement with Central Washington Sounders," said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. "The club boasts a good leadership group and strategic plan for an important region in our state that has historically produced top talent."
With CWS as an official youth partner, Sounders FC will provide coaching education opportunities, a unique, integrated curriculum and a direct pipeline for players into Sounders Academy. Currently, CWS has 464 participants, ranging from the U-6 Junior Developmental Academy through the U-19 Premier Club. The club recently announced an expansion into North Central Washington as it looks to identify and develop talent outside of its current reach under the guidance of Sounders FC.
"Expanding the search for early talent identification and development into the Central and North Central Washington regions demonstrates the first class commitment of Sounders FC to leave no rock unturned in its quest to advance the game," said Director of Coaching for CWS Marty Lackey. "Just having the opportunity to work closely with Sounders FC as an official youth partner legitimizes the pioneering work of so many others who have labored and sacrificed to create a long term player development path for players in this region."
In addition to unique access with Sounders FC, CWS will transition to adidas Sounders-related kits to identify its partnership with the club. Also new for CWS, the club will be using Yakima's newest sports complex, SOZO Sports of Yakima, as its new home training ground beginning in May. The facility will provide the avenue for CWS to continue to grow through developing talent and hosting tournaments, camps and showcases.
"The Central Washington region has proven to be a diverse community that is rich in soccer talent and has a passion for the game," Sounders Academy Director Marc Nicholls said. "We believe expanding our reach into the central region of the state will help us strengthen our youth structure."
News and information about the Sounders FC Academy, Central Washington Sounders and other partners, as well as Academy schedules, rosters and staff, can be found on the Sounders FC Academy website via the following link: SoundersFC.com/Academy.
