Program Overview

Gunners Premier is the Club's highest youth program for training and play. The program runs a full year which includes a Fall and Spring season as well as 3 or more tournaments during the year. The teams are selected through a tryout process in the winter/spring and are instructed and trained by a paid coach.

Our objective is to provide every player the greatest opportunity to develop their soccer skills, discipline, sportsmanship and teamwork. This is accomplished by hiring the most experienced and qualified professional trainers that have a passion for the game and the desire and enthusiasm to educate young players. Each player is provided instruction based upon a proven curriculum that is age appropriate and commensurate with the skill level of the players.

Interested players must tryout for the Premier program and should be willing to commit for the entire year. Most Premier teams play in the Puget Sound Premier League (PSPL). Depending upon the division the team is placed into, travel for away games can occasionally be anywhere in the State, with the possibility of travel to Oregon and/or Idaho.

When are tryouts?

Tryouts are generally scheduled during April and May. Tryouts for High School boys occur during February.

What ages are teams formed at?

We form Premier teams starting at 7 years old (birth year 2009) up to 18 (birth year 1998). The number of teams formed is determined by the pool of players that tryout.

Coaches

All of the Premier coaches are paid employees of the Club. Most have advanced licensing from either the USSF, NSCAA or EUFA. A number of the coaches are full time employees as this is their dedicated profession.

Managers

Each Premier team has a parent volunteer to act as the team manager. If you are interested in learning more about this role, please contact Colleen or visit the Manager page in the menu.

Time Commitment

A typical Gunners Premier team will play three or more tournaments during the year; a Fall league; a Spring league and possibly a State Cup tournament.

During the season, practices are twice per week with a game on the weekend. Occasionally teams play double headers over a weekend when traveling to venues requiring an overnight stay.

The season for High School girls occurs during the Summer and Winter/Spring (June - August, November - April). The girls are off during the fall to avoid conflicts with the Girls High School Season in the Fall.

The season for High School boys occurs during the Summer and Fall/Winter (June - February). The boys finish in February to avoid conflicts with the Boys High School Season in the Spring.

Home Fields

Home games for the teams are played at our soccer complex inside Lake Sammamish State Park during the late Spring, Summer and Fall time periods. Late Fall and Winter games are held on turf fields in and around the cities of Issaquah and Sammamish.

Expenses

Club Program Fees for the 2016-17 season will be:

Registration fees cover assigned professional coaches, league fees, field rentals for training and games (grass and turf), referee and AR costs for games, selective tournament fees, administrative staff, professional fees, software fees, credit card processing and banking fees, field development funds and reserves, and club marketing costs.

• Registration fees DO NOT includes uniforms/kits. Kits will be ordered by player via Soccer West's TUO system, which will also allow families to order additional items. You can also visit the Team Store to purchase player/fan gear.