Girls Academy expands Northwest Conference with addition of Spokane Sounders, EW Surf

The Girls Academy (GA) announced the continued expansion of the Northwest Conference, bringing in the Spokane Sounders and Eastern Washington Surf Soccer Club.

As a result, the Northwest Conference now features 12 total clubs ahead of the Girls Academy’s inaugural season. The conference features 4 Washington-based clubs and 8 Northern California clubs, while the Girls Academy overall now includes 68 member clubs.

Spokane and EW Surf join fellow Washington clubs Reign Academy and ISC Gunners. They also join California-based Santa Clara Sporting, FC Bay Area, West Coast SC, San Francisco Elite Academy, Lamorinda SC, Silicon Valley SA / Palo Alto SC, Breakers F.C. and Clovis Crossfire.

EW Surf in affiliate of San Diego Surf Soccer Club, and was established through a consolidation of clubs from the Inland Northwest. The club draws players from Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho.

“We look forward to growing with the league and achieving its goals,” said EW Surf Executive Director Jerry Cardenas. “The GA has quality leadership to make this an incredible league to be part of. Eastern Washington Surf SC looks forward to competing in this high standard and high level league. Thank you GA committee for letting us be part of the journey.”

Spokane Sounders SC is the first-ever affiliate of MLS club Seattle Sounders FC’s academy program, with a partnership dating back to 2015. It now aims to make a major step forward with its girls’ program, by joining the Girls Academy.

“We are excited to join the Girls Academy and have the opportunity to showcase our players on a national platform,” said Abba Faridnia, Technical Director for Spokane Sounders.

To learn more about the newly-launched Girls Academy, visit girlsacademyleague.com.