The 2006 Northwest Division begins Super Y-League play Saturday, May 6 when the Northwest Nationals host Thompson – Okanagan at Lynwood High School field.
The U17 Vancouver Whitecaps boys’ and the U14 Washington Crossfire boys’ are among the strongest returning teams in the Northwest Division. Both advanced as far as the semifinalists in the 2005 North American Finals. The Spokane Shadow, a 2005 North American Finalist in the U16 girls’ division, open their doors to the Yakima Reds on June 28.
“I think the Northwest Division will be very strong in 2006,” said Yakima Reds General Manager Teresa Vega. “The Yakima Reds are heading into our sixth season in the Super Y-League and each season the level of competition goes up a notch or two. Players are definitely developing because of the Super Y-League in the great Northwest.”
“The addition of another elite club in the Northwest Nationals and the returning of top notch clubs like the Spokane Shadow and the Washington Crossfire, the Yakima Reds will have their work cut out for them,” added Vega. “When you consider the talent north of the border, the competition gets even tougher. Abbotsford, Vancouver, Victoria, and Okanagan are all extremely talented clubs.”
The Reds struggled through their first few seasons in Yakima but have found that with time the advantages of the Super Y-League prove inviting to the elite level players in Washington.
“I am very encouraged when I see the talent of players coming into the Yakima Reds Super Y-League program,” said Vega. “Our returning teams are getting stronger, adding players that are now realizing that the place to play is the Super Y-League. In Yakima, it was a real tough sell from the get-go, since we are such a small community compared to Spokane and Seattle. Players are now realizing they can get recognition on a National level, can be evaluated for ODP throughout the Y-League season, and are calling us wanting to join our program.”
”The Yakima Reds want to expose our players to the best competition available,” said Vega. “I truly believe that players step up to the level of their competition. They develop the best in very competitive environments. The Reds may not send all their teams to the North American Finals, but the individual players will advance in their development because of the competition in the Northwest Division.”
“The Reds PDL team is reaping the harvest of the Yakima Reds Super Y-League program,” said Vega. “Our PDL team currently has five players on their roster that started out in the Yakima Reds Super Y-League program and advanced to the PDL level.”
The Yakima Reds begin Super Y-League action on Saturday, May 6 with the Spokane Shadow. The U14 boys’ match will get underway at 1 p.m.
“The Spokane Shadow are tough competitors,” said Vega. “Their entire club is very well coached. The Spokane Shadow have always been our arch rivals and great games have been the result of this rivalry. The rivalry has carried on from U13 all the way up to our PDL team in the past years.”
Across the border in Victoria, BC Victoria United is also looking forward to a fruitful season in 2006.
“In some divisions we will compete extremely well and can almost predict that in at least four age groups the champions will come down to the last games,” said Victoria Manager Sharon Marejka. “The power house clubs like Vancouver, Abbotsford, and the Washington Crossfire will always make the North West Division ‘the group of death.’”
“We are very excited to start the season against Thompson – Okanagan. Our districts enjoy a close, mutually respectful relationship. This game will set the tone for the season our U13 boys’ as they enter their inaugural Super Y-League season. A win for either side will be an enormous confidence builder.” The match is scheduled for Saturday, May 27.
