Tryouts for South Whidbey Reign U-16 soccer club and a new middle school-aged club are next week at South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District’s soccer fields adjacent to Langley Road. Open for grades 6-8 and 9-11, tryouts for both teams are 4:30-7 p.m. May 17 and 5:30-7:30 p.m. May 20. Reign head coach Terry Swanson said all middle school students who try out will make the team.

Cuts on the high school team, however, may be necessary due to space constraints; decisions will be based on skill level, Swanson said. Teams are evaluated separately, with the help of assistant coaches Karl Peterson, Jeff Meier and Tom Swanson.

Terry Swanson, a longtime club coach and former collegiate soccer player, said the middle school program will compliment the existing high school team. It will also foster a stronger competitive environment at younger ages.

“Eventually, we’d like to see something that is sustaining and perpetual,” Terry Swanson said. “For me, the ultimate goal is having competitive teams where the girls are enjoying the experience, they stay drug-free through high school and leave the team with a confidence level and go out into society and be able to advocate for themselves. The winning part of it will come through the training.”

The tryouts will consist of various drills that will highlight the girls’ defensive intensity, foot skills, spacing, passing accuracy and finishing ability. Girls will also be given ample touches on the ball during group drills and situational exercises.

There were 26 players registered as of Thursday afternoon, Terry Swanson said.