The benefits are:

• Professional coaching
• Higher-level competition
• More intensive skills development
• Longer seasons
• More playing opportunities
• More training sessions
• Having teammates who share a joint commitment to becoming high-level soccer players

Players who strive to play on teams in Junior High, High School, College, and beyond will benefit from the high-quality soccer training they receive from playing Premier soccer. 

The simple truth is that soccer requires advanced foot-eye coordination, which is only mastered by putting many touches on the ball at a relatively young age. Many coaches believe a proper "feel" for the ball must be learned before 14. In countries where soccer is the primary sport, young players play the game early and often. Premier soccer with Highline Premier FC gives aspiring players more opportunities to develop their skills at a young age to reach their true potential.

Soccer typically begins at the 8U age group (i.e., players aged 8 or younger). Highline Premier FC does not generally recommend that children “play up” except in circumstances where the team coach identifies that a child is specifically capable of competing with older players. Premier teams in WPL follow the age chart here.

In the State of Washington, teams are formed based on the player's age, not school grade. The U means ’under,’ and the player's age must be under the number on January 1st for teams. See the chart in the previous question for specific age ranges.

Yes, any youth player of the correct age can try out for Highline Premier. If selected for a team, we will register him/her with the appropriate state and national associations.

Typically, players are only allowed to play for Highline Premier FC and cannot participate with another recreational team while being rostered for a Highline Premier team. 

However, players may participate on their school soccer team and/or their CYO team.  In addition, for the recreational season, HSA players may complete their spring recreational league commitments while participating with Highline Premier. Development-age players (2018-2015) are generally allowed to continue with the Rec teams, but Premier should take precedence in case of a conflict.

Players born between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 of any given year will all play on the same team unless a player is “playing up” in an older age group. For example, a player born on or after Jan. 1, 2006, would play on the 18U team in 2023-2024.  See the US Soccer Age Chart or the chart we have in our tryout section.

Tryouts are conducted annually, except for the development age candidates who attend tryouts twice a year.  Tryouts are held over the course of two or three 90-minute sessions for each age group.  All player candidates are asked to register and pick up a numbered bib.  Players will then be organized on the field to perform various soccer drills and scrimmages.  Coaches will organize the drills and perform evaluations for each player by number.  

At the end of all sessions, coaches will discuss the evaluation results and select players in order of choice.  The ‘A’ team coach will have first choice to pick the top 12 to 18 players, after which the ‘B’ team coach will have the second choice to pick the next 12 to 18 players, etc.  

All Players will be informed of their team selections at the end of the tryout process.  Players and family members may even receive a phone call or email from the coach within a few days. Selected players’ names (first name, last initial) may also be posted on our website.

All players (new and returning) go through competitive tryouts for each age group, with evaluation by HPFC coaches.  Teams from different age groups may have tryouts at different times based on schedule requirements published by the Washington Premier League and other governing bodies.  Highline Premier will publish tryout dates as early as possible each year.  All players are required to try out each year. 

We strongly recommend that every player trying out for a Highline Premier team attend all tryout sessions. Attending every session provides the best opportunity for the coaches to see all players in action and make the best selections. It also provides the players the opportunity to overcome any problems from a single day’s session. 

Highline Premier will look to form two teams for each age group, depending on the strength of the player turnout for the tryouts. The first squad selected will form the ‘A’ team, and the second squad selected will form the ‘B’ team, etc.

At the oldest level, youth teams may have a maximum of 18 players on their game roster.  This amount will reduce depending on league rules and the number of players allowed on the pitch during match.  Also, Coaches may choose to have fewer than the maximum number of players on their team rosters, as this provides the coach with more flexibility with playing time.

Although coaches will attempt to make sure that all players get a chance to play as much as possible in each game, the amount of playing time per player in Premier soccer will depend on game circumstances and the competitive situation. This is especially true for older teams playing at Premier levels, where substitutions may not generally be done as often as for younger teams. 

Highline Premier coaches are trained on youth soccer development, and understand that "the game is the teacher” and that players need field time to develop their skills. For younger age group teams the emphasis will be on player development which means that playing time will be based on the growth of the individual players and the team as a whole.   

Practices generally start soon after tryouts are completed and team rosters are set.  Most teams practice two or three times a week, but this depends on the schedule and the team’s requirements.  Teams preparing for certain competitions throughout the calendar year may have more practices before those events.  Teams may also have additional optional scrimmages (either indoor or outdoor) when convenient.

Highline Premier considers Walt Hundley, Evergreen High School, Valley Ridge, Delridge, and Glacier Middle School our primary practice fields.  Highline Premier may also use other local Highline area fields. 

All Highline Premier teams participate in a WPL Fall League, which generally runs from early September to mid-December.   The number of games will vary by league and level, but in most cases teams will play 10 to 14 games during the fall season. Teams will also play in a shorter spring league (5-9 games).  Teams will also play in various summer tournaments in preparation for the fall season, or in post-season State tournaments.  

NOTE: The Developmental U8 through U10 teams will typically have a lighter schedule with fewer tournament commitments.

League games are usually played on Saturdays or Sundays during daylight hours (9AM to 6PM). Some games or scrimmages may be played on lighted fields after 6PM, but games will not be scheduled for late in the evening. Some make-up games may be scheduled for weekday evenings.  Summer tournament games may be played any time on Thursdays through Mondays.

Highline Premier considers Moshier Field, Highline Stadium and Walt Hundley Playfield as its primary “home” fields. In addition, Highline Premier may use Valley Ridge and other West Seattle area fields. 

Depending on the league the team is participating in away games will be played as close as West Seattle, SeaTac and Tukwila and as far away as Spokane, Yakima, and Vancouver, WA. 

Tournament locations will vary in geographic location as well. Younger teams will be more likely to participate in local area tournaments, whereas older, competitive teams may travel out of state at least once a year. 

The amount of travel done by a Highline Premier team can vary from season to season. Development teams (U8-U10) generally only travel around the Seattle metro area, while older teams playing at State Premier levels may travel around the state. Teams may travel further for summer tournaments (including out of state) depending on the coach's and parents’ decisions.

Yes, some tournaments may require overnight stays, especially for older teams. This is usually decided between the coach, Director of Coaching, and the parents for each team. Some teams may choose to travel and stay together, while others may prefer to arrange for individual travel plans. While tournament registration fees are typically included in a team’s budget, teams will incur additional out-of-pocket expenses for away tournaments such as meals, lodging, transportation, etc. 

Yes, there are several levels of play organized by Washington Premier League.  Please refer to the league page for more information.   

Highline Premier teams will play at the highest competitive level judged to be appropriate for them by the head coach of each team and the Director of Coaching, and teams may move from one level/division to another each year as best fits their competitive level.

What is the Washington Premier League?

The Washington Premier League (WPL) is a competitive US Club Soccer league.  The league is open to all clubs within Washington State and northern Idaho that are affiliated with US Club Soccer. Visit https://wpl-soccer.com/ to learn more.  

Our annual schedule is based on the Washington Premier League schedule and may change from year to year.  Our teams are formed annually at competitive tryouts and play soccer from late spring to the tryouts for the following year, with holiday breaks. The annual schedule may change periodically as adjusted by Washington Premier League, US Club Soccer or other governing authorities. 

Annual Tryouts (February to May): All players (new and returning) go through competitive tryouts for each age group with evaluation by HPFC coaches.

Pre-season (May – August): Teams generally practice two or three times a week, 90-120 minutes each session.  The weekly schedule will be determined based on field availability. Additional practice sessions, scrimmage games and training camps may also be scheduled.  

Summer tournaments (May – August): Most teams will typically participate in a number of tournaments before the end of August – more information will be provided at the first team/parent meeting after tryouts.  Check with the coach or team manager for details for each team. 

Fall Season League Play (September – December): Teams will play in Puget Sound Premier League according to age and competitive level.  The fall league season typically runs 10-16 weeks, from early September to December and will take into account girls’ high school soccer season.  

Winter Tournaments, Spring Leagues, State Cups (January - May): Teams may participate in winter tournaments or spring leagues as schedules permit.  The tournaments and league schedules will vary for different age groups, and will take into account the boys’ high school soccer season.  U11 to U19 teams may participate in the Washington Cup tournaments at the appropriate level to be determined by the coaches. Check with the coach or team manager for details for each team. 

Highline Premier FC teams practice two to three times a week for most of the year, and the practice schedule may be increased during preparation for tournaments or league play. Birth year 2015 through 2012 practice 2x per week. Birth years 2011 and older train 3x per week year round. 

HPFC provides optional Skills clinics for these age groups on Friday nights in fall and spring. Typically, teams from older age groups will require more of a time commitment than younger age groups. Most teams will also participate in several tournaments each year, which may require travel and overnight stays in other cities. Again, older teams are generally required to travel more than younger teams, and due consideration is always given to school and holiday schedules. 

The club fee or registration fee covers the cost of the following:

• Player insurance and US Club registration fees
• WPL league registration fees
• HPFC administration costs
• Full time professional coaching
• Goalkeeper training
• Equipment for practices and games
• Field fees

The uniform kit typically costs around $250 per player.  HPFC is on a 2-year uniform cycle with soccer.com.

In addition to club fees, each team will create a team budget to cover the cost of tournament registration fees, tournament travel expenses for the coach, team equipment, and team-building events.  Each player will contribute towards the team's expenses either monetarily or through fundraising.

Fundraising is a necessary part of any volunteer organization. Fundraising and/or donations serve to reduce the cost of participation for all team members and enables a team to provide financial assistance when necessary. All parents and players are expected to do their fair share of fundraising for the team’s expenses. 

In addition to the individual team fundraising events, Highline Premier conducts an annual auction dinner to off-set club costs not covered by the annual club fee. Each Highline Premier team is required to purchase and/or sell a certain number of tickets (determined annually) to the auction dinner. Additionally, each player must donate an item or cash worth a minimum value (determined annually).