Travel Soccer Program 
 

 


The Weston Soccer Club Travel Program is geared to the more competitive player who is willing to make a serious time commitment to soccer. Players must try out for the team and be invited to participate.  For more in-depth information about the tryout process, please see the “Tryout Process” tab.
 
The travel program begins at U11, following the Development Academy years (U9 and U10). In the U11 year, players are grouped for the first time according to skill level and soccer development; this method of team formation follows the structure of the CJSA U11 and older travel leagues, which are divided by skill level into A, B, C, D, etc. divisions. If there are enough players to form two teams, we divide the players accordingly based on recommendations from our professional coaches after tryouts. Because teams are still small-sided at U11 (8v8), we do our best to form two teams to enable as many players as possible to continue to develop their skills. 
 
Beginning at U12 and continuing through U14, we form either one or two teams per age level, depending on player interest and skill level. These teams play 11v11, so the number of players necessary to make a viable team is larger than at the younger ages. By this age, players are also more aware of their responsibilities as team members and recognize the level of commitment necessary to develop and succeed as individuals and as a team.
 
To view CJSA guidelines for each age level, please see “CJSA Age Group Requirements” under the Travel tab.
 
Professional coaches are hired to coach each team and run practices and games. Practices are held twice each week for 1-1/2 hours. Beginning with the fall of 2009, all travel practices for U11 and up will be held on Wednesdays and Fridays.  Games are generally scheduled for Sundays, but occasionally there will be a game on Saturday, as well. Games are generally played in Fairfield County. Parents are responsible for their child’s transportation to and from games. Players must wear soccer cleats, shin guards and a team uniform (purchased separately) and bring a #4 (U12 and below) or #5 (U13 and above) soccer ball to all sessions.
 
 
Parent Participation
 
The Club operates at all levels through the involvement and commitment of its member families. In order to ensure the quality of its programs, the Club now requires that all members participate in Club operations through selection of defined jobs. No registration will be accepted without a job selection. A wide variety of opportunities are available to meet all possible schedules of Club members. They include jobs at the following levels:
 
 

• Team – Manager and Assistant Managers (responsible for communication, parent job coordination, game and tournament planning, etc.), Parent Assistant Coaches, Tournament Coordinator, Practice Parent Coordinator, Game Snack Coordinator, Practice Parent
• Program (Rec, Town and Travel) – Directors, Assistant Directors, Registration, League Commissioners, Equipment Support
• Club – Board Positions, Program Directors, Registration, Field and Equipment Support, Finance, Publicity and Marketing, Website Support, Event Planning, Coaching and Program Development.