By name, it is the North Whidbey Soccer Club’s Islanders U11 girls team. In reality, it includes players from all over Whidbey and Fidalgo islands.

The Islanders hail from Oak Harbor, Coupeville, Langley, Clinton, Freeland and Anacortes.

Regardless of their geographical home, the players “are very supportive and play as a team,” according to coach Ken Martin.

“It has been refreshing to see them play hard, have fun and display sportsmanship at all times,” he added. “It is a reflections of the parents they have and the coaches they have had on the island.”

The Islanders are about to enter the North Puget Sound Short Season after a successful run the past eight months.

This fall the Islanders were just two points out of first place in the North Puget Sound League Division 3 even though they were one of the youngest teams, according to Martin.

Last summer the Islanders won the Skagit Cup in Burlington and finished second in the SCORE six-a-side tournament in Renton and the Marysville Strawberry Classic.

Martin said a great example of the players’ attitudes came in a state cup match in January against a Tacoma team.

The Islanders started the match with only nine players and no available substitutes and lost a player during the game. They still prevailed 5-0 after a 0-0 halftime tie.

“They were exhausted but fought on,” Martin said. “These 9, 10 and 11 year old Islanders never give up.”

Select soccer takes a greater commitment than recreational soccer, Martin said, but “the payoff is greater.”

Friendships develop over the long season, he said, and the focus isn’t on winning but the development of positive personal qualities, honing soccer skills and having fun.

“I have only been on the island for a little over a year, but it has been refreshing to see kids playing for sake of playing and not for the sake of winning,” Martin said.

Tryouts for Islanders select soccer takes place in May. Those interested in contacting Martin can reach him at kendomartin@gmail.com