In selecting players for our Travel Teams, we try to enhance the experience of EACH CHILD playing the game. Our players run the gamut of the skill level. Soccer is a team sport, and as such, players are dependent on each other to get the ball down the field. Therefore, starting in 4th grade, we run tryouts to select players with similar skill levels to play together. We do this for multiple reasons, but the three main ones are: to give our best players the opportunity to play at a high level of competitiveness, to make sure that every player has the opportunity to feel part of the game at their level, and to help ensure the safety of each child. We start out in 4th grade with 1-2 stratified teams – an “A” team and a “B” team. It’s difficult at this age to differentiate further skill levels, so we attempt to balance the rest of the teams, so that their total skill levels are about even. As the children get older, we may create one additional level of stratification, dependent on the number of children in the age group. Most important is that we provide a soccer experience for each child on each team. Each player is expected to attend 2 practices per week, one is run by a professional trainer, and one is run by a coach. Each player plays in approximately the same number of games (dependent on the number of teams in their DIVISION, not their skill level).
“A” teams contain the most skilled players in each age group. These children are usually looking for a very high level of competitive and physical play. As a club, we provide our children the experience of playing with other children at their level. For the top level players at each age group, we have instituted a couple of policies (similar to other clubs in the area).
“A” teams at age groups U11 and above have professional coaches. If necessary, “A” teams at age groups U12 and above may (with board approval) acquire xx high-level soccer players from other towns to maintain their level of play.