| Whidbey Island Soccer League: How we got to this point and why. The idea of a single Whidbey Island youth soccer league has been kicked around for many years. In all three island soccer communities (Oak Harbor, Coupeville, and Langley) soccer skills were taught to younger players primarily by dividing up all the players who register and placing them on teams that play within communities. All games are local so traveling is not needed which is great. The Problem: The problem with this format is that by the time kids reach 6th and 7th grade they need more stimulating challenges. Playing against the same kids on the same field year after year eventually loses its excitement. Enrollment in soccer in all island communities tops all other sports by far, but by age 12 the numbers of kids registering for community soccer begins to fall off dramatically. It was apparent that more interesting and engaging soccer opportunities were needed for these socially adventurous older players. North Whidbey Soccer Club found some success retaining these older players by restructuring select soccer for U-13 and above and by beginning a 'developmental' program where players ages 9-12 could register to join a traveling recreational team that played off island in Skagit Valley. South Whidbey Youth Soccer Club is just a 20 minute ferry ride from North County Soccer Association in Everett which is the state's largest and offers teams several different competitive levels in both recreational and select soccer. Thus in the fall season their older teams all travel off the island to find better competitive opportunities. Finding more attractive soccer opportunities within the Coupeville community has been more difficult. The combination of being the smallest community, suffering from 'administrative isolation' for so many years, and being the furthest away from the mainland for traveling opportunities has caused this organization to reach out for support from the two other island soccer clubs. The Idea: In late 2005 the Coupeville soccer club initiated discussions at monthly Whidbey Island Youth Soccer Association meetings about allowing these older aged teams from different soccer communities on the island to play against each other for fun and practice. A new field, a new team, and a new referee would all infuse some needed excitement without the need for 1-2 hours of traveling. The idea of representing your community in playing similar teams from other island soccer communities generated much interest from parents, coaches, and especially players. The Obstacle: The primary obstacle preventing such interisland games was administrative. The Coupeville soccer program was not part of the Washington State Youth Soccer Association (WSYSA) so North and South Whidbey soccer teams were prohibited from playing non member teams because liability coverage was not extended to these activities. The Solution: Thus 2006 was the year for the Coupeville soccer organization (known as Central Whidbey Youth Athletic Association) to restructure themselves administratively and philosophically to align with WSYSA member club standards. Also during 2006, South Whidbey Youth Soccer Club allowed one all Coupeville U-14 girls team to register as a intact team to play in their South Whidbey spring league. The players and coaches loved it and wanted more! The short traveling issues were more than offset by the quality of the experience. The idea of a single youth soccer league on Whidbey island was beginning to take root and build momentum. The Unification: In 2007 the Coupeville soccer organization was officially accepted and welcomed into the Whidbey Island Youth Soccer Association and thus WSYSA under the new name 'Central Whidbey Soccer Club' (CWSC). This name was inline with the naming of the other island clubs. Finally the entire youth soccer island community was part of the same parent organization and administrative hurdles for interisland play were cleared. The Beginning: The first actual organized play between two clubs was completed in the spring of 2007. 8 teams from CWSC joined with 16 teams from SWYSC to write the first exciting chapter in WISL history. The season was a huge success! Nary a peep was expressed from parent's about the 30 minute commute between these communities as the experience was outstanding. In celebration of this significant accomplishment an annual end of spring season soccer celebration was organized and started called 'Soccerfest'. It is part tournament and part carnival and we suspect it will grow to become one of the largest youth sporting activities on the entire island! The next major step was taken this last fall with 14 teams from NWSC joining 14 teams from CWSC to play and compete against each other. The experience was again favorable to all participants. Each club has now experienced and learned what it takes to make a soccer league on the island work well. Each club now communicates monthly during WIYSA meetings to make these opportunities run smoothly and create an environment where coaches in each club can best teach the game of soccer. The present: 2008 is the year it all comes together! We think this spring is going to be an outstanding and memorable opportunity for all island kids! Let's Play Soccer! Updated 3/11/08 | 
