Blackhills FC

• Builds the soccer skills and team commitment needed to play at the highest levels possible.
• Teaches players individually how to play their best soccer in a team environment.
• Provides excellence in coaching, training and facilities needed for players to reach their
  maximum.

Blackhills FC offers age-appropriate soccer training and skills development for kids who love to play soccer. Players who hate to see the season end, players who are looking for a more competitive type of play, players who wants to improve their fitness and soccer skills are well suited to the programs offered by Blackhills FC.

By becoming involved in Blackhills FC a player will get experienced coaching, intensive skills development, more playing opportunities, and teammates who share in common a commitment to become higher level soccer players.

Blackhills FC has an experienced staff of Head and Assistant Coaches along with a committed Executive Board. We are organized as a Coaching Staff with a consistent coaching philosophy and we want to help children improve their soccer abilities and enjoy the game.

• Flexible training using additional and makeup practices with other club teams.
• Players have the chance to practice with other BHFC teams for additional training or make up
  a practice.
• 2-3 practices per week.
• Structured practice regimens.
• Club Trainers.
• Specialized goalkeeping coaching.
• Additional specialized soccer training for all players.
• Two written player evaluations per year.
• A Club Manager who handles all finances.
• A dedicated coaching staff.
• A dedicated Executive Board.
• A club coordinator who organizes club and team fundraisers and volunteer opportunities, which may reduce player fees.
• The use of a Club-sponsored new complex of 8 to 10 fields now under construction.

The Club also organizes several special events each year. These include, College Night where information about college soccer is presented to interested families, Annual Club Picnic and the annual Soccer Ball fundraiser.

Often multiple Blackhills FC teams are entered into a tournament to provide a mutually supportive atmosphere for our players and their families. It is our culture for players and parents from other Blackhills FC teams to support teams other than their own during tournaments and league play.

Teams are formed based on a player’s age and not school grade. The “U” means “under” and the number is the players age.  Player’s must be under the number by August 1st to be considered for that team.

Boys and Girls U11 through U14: Tryouts in May, spring training, summer tournaments, league seasons in the fall and in the early spring (Jan/Feb), the State Cup in March/April. The U11 player fee does not include the State Cup fee. Parents will be asked if they want to participate in the State Cup at U11.

Boys U15 - U19: Tryouts in March, spring training, summer tournaments, league season in the fall and State Cup beginning in January or February.

Girls U15 - 19: Tryouts in mid-May, spring training, summer tournaments, league season beginning in February followed by State Cups.

This is subject to change based on the organization that develops the schedule.  Occasionally a team may have games on both Saturday and Sunday of a given weekend.  Generally, games will be played as follows:

Boys U11 - U14, Saturdays.
Boys U15 - U19, Sundays.
Girls U11 - U14, Saturdays.
Girls U15 - U19, Sundays.

Washington State Youth Soccer Association (WSYSA), develops the league schedule for teams competing in the WSYSA State Leagues: www.wsysa.com

Every player is responsible for attending at least two 90 minute practices each week. Typically younger teams practice on two weekday evenings each week and older teams practice 2-3 times during the week.

We do our best to have multiple teams of similar ages practice at the same time and place to increase carpooling opportunities. Practice days, times, and location are usually set on a monthly basis and due to field constraints are subject to change.

During the summer, teams are entered into weekend-long tournaments that expose them to a wide range of competition. Typically, our younger teams are entered into 3 summer tournaments and our older teams entered into 4-5 tournaments spread out over the year.  Soccer tourmanents are located in communities all over the state and sometime out of state.  Sometimes tournament schedules and location mean overnight stays are required.

Tournament entry fees are part of the player’s program fee; however travel, food and lodging expenses are not covered in the players program fee and are borne by the players and their families.

During league play, teams are entered into a regional league that is best for their development. Travel for league play is characterized by day trips in the greater Puget Sound region, and less frequently to Eastern Washington and Bellingham and Vancouver.

Yes, soccer goes on year-round, yet we do manage to have breaks throughout the year.  Blackhills FC recognizes that soccer is one part of a balanced life. 

Team practices are mandatory for every player. However, family, school and spiritual obligations have priority over soccer. If a player will not be attending a practice for any reason, we ask the player to notify the coach.

Blackhills FC does not prohibit players from playing other sports. We advise that it will become increasingly difficult to maintain a multiple sport schedule as the player becomes older.

Coaches and your teammates have an expectation that soccer will be a priority during league play and State Cup tournaments.