Hauppauge Soccer League Travel Soccer
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the age brackets for Travel
Soccer 2010-2011?
What is Travel Soccer?
Travel soccer is a more competitive soccer experience that allows players the ability to play at a higher level against teams from other towns. The Long Island Junior Soccer League regulates travel soccer
How old does my son/daughter have to be before they can play travel soccer?
Travel soccer starts at the U-10 age group, usually the season after your son or daughter plays their first year in division 4.
How can my son/daughter get involved in travel soccer?
Tryouts for new teams are normally held after the conclusion of the spring season. There will be a flyer handed out to all intramural coaches indicating dates and allowable age limits and there will also be schedules and dates posted on the Hauppauge Soccer league website (www.hauppaugesoccerleague.com). Talk to your intramural coach and monitor the website for updates on tryout dates. Even if your son or daughter is not sure about playing travel soccer, if they enjoyed intramurals you should seriously consider having them to at least tryout for one of the teams.
The club always has one team come out in the U10 age group for the boys and one team for the girls. At times, we may have two teams but this is all dependant on the number of players at the tryout. Independent trainers and the travel team coach rate the players. Teams are formed based on this ranking of players at the tryout. You cannot be put on a travel team without trying out for one. Depending on the number of players trying out some teams may have to institute cuts (each U10 team can only have 12 players on it). If a player is cut, it does not mean the player is done playing soccer; see below information concerning interleague.
How can I prepare my son/daughter for travel soccer and tryouts?
The Hauppauge Soccer League offers training to all divisions and age groups. It also offers Academy training, which is additional training self-funded by participants. This training prepares players for travel soccer as well as gets players and parents used to the routine of practice sessions and training routines. Academy training usually starts at Division 3 and progresses until travel soccer tryouts for the U-10 teams. The key is having them play and be in good running shape for the tryout.
What commitment level is there with playing travel soccer?
Normally, the coach of the team sets this. But almost all teams play in several tournaments during the year, play in winter leagues, participate in indoor tournaments and train two to three times a week. Travel soccer plays in league play in the spring and in the fall. Be prepared to play at least 10 months out of the year, maybe more depending on the coach and commitment level of the team. As parents, prepare to have at least one of your weekend days committed to a soccer game, maybe both days depending on the team and the training. (As a coach and parent, it’s well worth it).
Also, travel starts out in U10 and U11 with Suffolk teams playing other Suffolk teams. You are expected to travel within Suffolk based on your travel schedule. Outside tournaments your team decides to participate in may involve further travel. After U12, Suffolk and Nassau combine and you may be required to travel into Nassau County for games
What if my son/daughter is not chosen for a travel team, can they still play somewhere?
Yes, if your son or daughter is not selected for a travel team, you can still play interleague soccer. This is a league that is not as competitive as travel but still allows older players (older than intramural ages) to continue to play organized soccer. Refer to the Hauppauge Soccer League website for the interleague coordinator information and contact him/her with your sons or daughters interest.
What if my son/daughter still wants to play soccer but is too old for intramurals and does not want to play competitively (travel). Is there an alternative?
If your son/daughter still wants to play soccer after intramurals but does not want the competitiveness and commitment of travel soccer, the alternative is Interleague. Interleague is for players who are too old for intramurals, still want to play soccer but not with the commitment and competitiveness of travel. Interleague registers through US Club soccer and is a separate registration different from Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL). All interleague information, including registration deadlines and team information is listed on our Website. Please see the website for further information concerning interleague
Also, if your son/daughter has the urge after playing in interleague a season or two to try out for one of the travel teams, tryouts are conducted every year for each team. Based on your age, check the HSL website for information concerning tryout days and times for the age appropriate team your son/daughter can tryout for.
How much money does travel soccer cost?
There are a couple of costs to consider when you have a son or daughter in travel soccer. We’ll take them one at a time:
- Registration will cost approximately $200.00, which covers both the fall and spring season
- Uniform costs plus a travel soccer bag will cost approximately $150.00
- You may be required to pay monthly dues for a professional trainer to train your team. If used once a week, assume approximately $75.00 a month
- There could be some additional costs if your team does extensive outside tournaments and winter leagues
If I am a parent and want to become a travel coach, how do I go about putting my hat in the ring?
First, you want to let the travel coordinator know you are interested in becoming a travel coach. His/her name is located on the Hauppauge Soccer League website. Once you contact the travel coordinator, he/she will give you a date and time for an interview with the Hauppauge Soccer League Board of Directors. Once interviewed, you will be told if you were selected to be a travel coach