What are the NWUnited tryouts? We  use annual tryouts to evaluate players and place them on teams according to their skill level, where they will develop best and enjoy personal success.

Are tryouts difficult? Many young players are nervous before tryouts. The evaluators take steps to make them comfortable. Once players are on the field, nervousness subsides and they have fun–playing soccer!! In addition, we offer pre-tryout clinics for younger players so they can be more comfortable at tryouts. At tryouts, players are assigned a number and placed in groups so evaluators can assess the effort and abilities of each. Players should attend both tryouts, but they’ll still be rated if they can only attend one.
What happens after tryouts? All players who tryout will be notified of tryout results and Team selections will be posted on this website.  NWUnited attempts to provide playing opportunities for all qualified players. If it doesn’t appear that a particular player is suited for select soccer this year, we will recommend options for development and encourage them to continue participation in this great game.

Here are some other answers to questions you may have about Skagit Storm.

Why should my player consider select soccer? We have been supporting soccer in our area for 11 years. This experience confirms our belief that many young people are eager to learn the game, develop their skills, and meet others who share their passion for the game. And, to have fun doing it. Select soccer offers young people the opportunity to play more, learn more, and develop more quickly.

What is NWUnited? We are the select soccer club of Skagit Valley Youth Soccer Association. Our mission is to provide a high-quality, select soccer program for young players from the Skagit Valley, Stanwood and Camano Island.

Why consider NWUnited? Because we are successful at developing players. Because of the skills and friendships players develop. Because they do so in a healthy atmosphere that promotes good life choices for young people. You see that on the field and off. Need proof: Talk to NWU players and look at the area high school teams: Storm and other select players make up the core of all local high school soccer teams.

My player likes other sports too. How would that work? Especially at the younger ages (say up to 15 or 16), most United players are involved in one or more other sports: basketball, track, cross-country, swimming, baseball, fast pitch, etc.  NWUnited and its coaches understand that our players are athletes and that they have many choices. We want to support young people in their athletic and social development. That includes taking part in a full range of athletic activities.

How does NWUnited soccer relate to recreation soccer? All players enter our sport through recreational soccer. There, players learn important individual and team skills, enjoy personal friendships, and achieve some success. Around the age of 10 or 11, recreational players and families are given the choice of continuing recreational play or moving into “select soccer.” Simply put, select soccer caters to those who love the game and want to play more of it and develop faster. Select soccer frequently involves a greater personal interest in developing skills and learning the game. Almost always, it involves more time, more family support and higher fees. This is primarily the result of differences in the length of season: While recreational play is limited to a season of a couple of months, select play typically runs for nine months, and can be year-round if teams choose to participate in State Cup competitions. In select play, sons and daughters join teammates who share their interest in the game as well as experienced and high-level coaches, trainers and administrators.

Recreational soccer is the vital foundation of all select soccer programs. We sincerely hope that if rec players are interested in playing at a higher level, their coaches and families will discuss the benefits of this with them and with us. Skagit Valley soccer–recreation, select, school–benefits from close cooperation. We encourage all recreational league coaches to contact us to discuss their vision–and ours.