Introduction to Travel Soccer DC STODDERT APRIL 2009

Stoddert Travel Program Mission Statement …to administer a professionally coached, fun and competitive travel soccer program in which each player can maximize his or her potential.

Why Travel Soccer? Professional coaching – USSF D licenses or higherFocus is on skill development, first – competition, secondAdvanced playersAdvanced competitionMore serious – not for everyone

Technical Team Kate Samsot, Director of Travel Karen Kelser, Girls’ Technical Director – Travel Sona Walla, Boys’ Technical Director – Travel Len Oliver, Director of Coaching - Recreational Age Group Directors – BoysAge Group Directors – Girls Craig Jones, U9/10Khaled Hamami, U9/10 Sona Walla, U11/12Karen Kelser, U11/12 Mohamed Bennani, U13/14Mohan Telfer, U13/14 Evans Malyi, U15/16+Andre Russo, U15/16+

Club Model Emphasize player development and fun Focus on technical development Not game result oriented at Academy level Small sided games Mixed team training Technical Director & Age Group Director Build club loyalty – player retention & attraction Provide a club program for every player

Player Expectations Attend Pre-season practices or camps Attend practices twice a week in-season Attend all games Give 100% effort Show respect to coaches, teammates, and parents Arrive at practices and games with proper attire and equipment

Parent Expectations Register player and pay on time Respond to coach and manager s Get children to practices and games on time Communicate early if there are problems Volunteer in some capacity – the manager should not do everything

Coach Expectations Ensure safe and professional practice and game environments Communicate regularly with the team(via the manager) and give consistent feedback to the players Arrive on time to games and practices Be responsible for finding substitute coach when absence is unavoidable.

Field Expectations Home games in the district – Palisades & one grass field Palisades and Jelleff Field development strategy being developed First DC DPR Premier partner – we will invest $180,000 annually in fields and equipment

Travel Program “Academy” = U9/U10 and U11/U12. Small-sided games Fluidity among team rosters, depending on players’ levels. Teams in same age group practice together “Travel” = U13+ Teams play 11-a-side at U13 and older Typically less movement among rosters, but it still happens. Teams in same age group try to practice together

Fall 2009/Spring 2010 Age Groups

Weekend League Play WAGS - Washington Area Girls Soccer Highly competitive Girls only GU10-GU19 NCSL – National Capital Soccer League Highly competitive Boys only U9-U19 MSI – Montgomery Soccer Boys’ and Girls’ teams Competition level is somewhat above rec Playing “up” in DC Stoddert’s recreational program – for reserve team competition Objective is to prepare reserve players for open slots on travel teams

Typical Soccer Year-I Spring tryouts in MayTeam organizational meeting in early JuneRegistration for new players before summer breakSummer camp(s)August pre-season training & possible tournamentFall outdoor season beginning late AugustColumbus Day Weekend TournamentPossible end of season tournament in mid-November

Typical Soccer Year-II Winter indoor season – training and/or indoor matches once or twice a week Spring pre-season training & tournament starting mid-March Spring outdoor season starts end of March/first weekend of April Spring tryouts in May Possible end of season tournament over Memorial Day weekend

Spring Tryouts Late May open tryouts for following fall season for U9-U12; scheduled tryouts for older teams Academy and Travel coaches, Technical Directors and Age Group Directors, staff coaches & other soccer professionals evaluate players Up to two squads + Reserve team are formed in each age groupWe need volunteers to help with logistics at the tryouts

Spring Tryouts Be sure player attends age appropriate tryout Players must attend one tryout to be considered. Players should attend both tryouts, if possible. Register on-line at on or after May 1 st. There is no charge for tryouts. Tryout venue for U9-U12 boys & girls - Carter Barron fields, north of Morrow Dr.

Spring 2009 GIRLS’ Tryout Schedule GIRLS’ TRYOUTS: GU9: 4:00-6:00 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, May 20 th & 22 nd GU10: 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, May 20 th & 22 nd GU11: 4:00-6:00 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, May 19 th & 21 st GU12: 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, May 19 th & 21 st Remember that your child will try out for an age group OLDER than what he or she is currently playing this spring since the age groups advance each fall. (For instance, a U8 player in the spring of 2009 will try out for a U9 team.)

Spring 2009 BOYS’ Tryout Schedule BOYS’ TRYOUTS: U9: 4:00-6:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, May 25 th, 27 th, 29 th U10: 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday & Friday, May 27 th, 29 th U11: 4:00-6:00 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, May 26 th, 28 th U12: 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, May 26 th, 28 th Remember that your child will try out for an age group OLDER than what he or she is currently playing this spring since the age groups advance each fall. (For instance, a U8 player in the spring of 2009 will try out for a U9 team.)

Spring 2009 Tryout Notification Selections posted on Stoddert website by Team Name and Player Tryout Number by June 8 th or June 15 th Selected players will be ed and asked to register online. Online registration only way players can secure their team spots. Non selected players will be ranked & waitlisted, positions on waitlist not published. Contact Age Group Directors for player feedback.

Organizational Meeting Selected player’s parents meet coaches in June Coach sets out player training & tournament expectations & parent expectations Coach picks a parent manager Manager administers the team; the coach trains the players Manager supported by club to roster and run team according to Stoddert & travel league rules Manager must delegate tasks so everyone gets involved

Expenses Stoddert hires and pays the coach on the team’s behalf – parents reimburse Stoddert Yearly registration costs will be $1410 for the seasonal year, payable in two seasonal installments of $705 in June & January Winter training, tournaments and uniforms are additional expenses Partial scholarships are available to those who otherwise could not participate (information is on the website).

If the Player is not Selected Don’t Panic – Players develop at different rates Wait list Summer camps Fall & Spring Weekly Skills Clinics Open tryouts each spring

THE END THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENDANCE me with questions: Kate Samsot or