Introduction to Travel SoccerDC STODDERT

APRIL 2009

Stoddert Travel Program

Why Travel Soccer?

Technical Team

Kate Samsot, Director of TravelKaren Kelser, Girls’ Technical Director – Travel

Sona Walla, Boys’ Technical Director – Travel

Len Oliver, Director of Coaching - Recreational

Age Group Directors – Boys Age Group Directors – Girls

Craig Jones, U9/10 Khaled Hamami , U9/10

Sona Walla, U11/12 Karen Kelser, U11/12

Mohamed Bennani, U13/14 Mohan 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 e-mails

• 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

• Practices @ 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

Typical Soccer Year-II

Spring Tryouts

Spring Tryouts

Spring 2009 GIRLS’ Tryout Schedule

GIRLS’ TRYOUTS:

GU9:  4:00-6:00 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, May 20th & 22nd

GU10:  6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, May 20th & 22nd

GU11:  4:00-6:00 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, May 19th & 21st GU12:  6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, May 19th & 21st

 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 25th, 27th, 29th U10:  6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday & Friday, May 27th, 29th U11:  4:00-6:00 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, May 26th, 28th U12:  6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, May 26th, 28th

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 8th or June 15th

• Selected players will be e-mailed 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

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

Email me with questions:

Kate Samsot

traveldir@stoddert.com or

Travel.soccer@gmail.com