Why is it called “travel” soccer?
DC Stoddert has "developmental" soccer for youth ages 9 to 10 and "travel" or "select" soccer for youth ages 11 to 19. The teams are all competitively selected (therefore "select") and travel to games throughout the metropolitan Washington, D.C. region (therefore “travel”).
Who can tryout for a Stoddert travel team?
DC Stoddert’s travel teams are not limited to Stoddert “open” or “recreational” players. Players from throughout the region are eligible to tryout and play for DC Stoddert teams.
Against whom do these teams play?
Most of DC Stoddert’s travel teams compete against area and regional teams sponsored by other local soccer clubs within thhe National Capital Soccer League (NCSL) and the Washington Area Girls Soccer League (WAGS). NCSL is open to teams comprised of both boys and girls, while WAGS is open to girls only. As a practical matter, very few girls play in the NCSL. NCSL play commences for players in the U9 age group (9 or under on August 1 of any year). WAGS also commences in the U9 year. Certain DCSSL travel teams that are not in NCSL or WAGS will play in the Old Dominion Soccer League (ODSL) or in the MSI Classic League.
In some instances, the less-skilled travel team in an age group may remain in Stoddert’s Recreational Division and "play up" one year against older players. Being flexible about where to play each team is a reflection of DC Stoddert’s commitment to individual player development by putting players into the most competitive play for which they are ready.
What sort of commitment is required for parents and players of a travel team?
Everyone involved in travel soccer recognizes that serious commitment for young players is difficult. However, being on a travel team requires that both the child and the parent understand that this activity is a commitment. Neither the player nor the team can develop to their full potential without that commitment.
For most travel players, only religious commitments, school commitments and school athletics take precedence over travel team practices and games. Parents are involved weekly in field preparation in advance of, and immediately after, the Sunday games.
Typically, younger players especially want to continue with their recreational teams. No DC Stoddert rule prohibits this. The League and the travel teams simply ask that in the case of a conflict, the travel team takes precedence.
How much soccer do we mean?
Beginning two weeks prior to the season and continuing throughout the season, travel players attend a minimum of twice-weekly practices. There are approximately 10 weekend games during the Fall and Spring seasons. The travel games are typically played on Sundays, but re-scheduled games (due to rain, snipers, locusts, etc.) may be any day of the week.
In addition, teams compete in one or two local and regional tournaments each Fall and Spring during pre-season, or on three-day holiday weekends such as Columbus Day or Memorial Day throughout the seasons. During the Summer, teams may hold practices, and players are strongly encouraged to attend DC Stoddert clinics and soccer camps of their preference. In the Winter, teams will practice indoors in a gym (probably only once a week) and may participate in indoor soccer leagues. As teams mature, players may participate in regional tournaments on several weekends a year.
Is travel "too much" soccer?
Travel soccer is not for every child or every family. But what players and families who make the commitment find is that they improve their skills and confidence by leaps and bounds, they make new friends and they have a lot of fun. Winning is not the ultimate goal of DC Stoddert’s program; player development is. However, players and families alike love the feeling of accomplishment that comes from the success that flows from dedication to the sport.
Parents need to think about whether their child is ready for the experience. If the answer is yes, the child will learn that success does not come easy, that hard work does pay off and that winning is not everything. These are life lessons that we all must learn, and travel soccer is a good way to learn them.
How far do we have to travel?
Travel teams will play in games arranged by the respective leagues (i.e., NCSL, WAGS or ODSL) on fields throughout the Metro region. A significant amount of regional travel may be anticipated. However, the leagues make every effort to minimize travel times for the younger age groups. For older age groups, four or five games will normally be on DC Stoddert authorized “home” fields in DC or at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown. Since NCSL, WAGS and ODSL member clubs are located as far away as Baltimore, Winchester, Severna Park and north of Richmond, you could have to travel to one or more of those locations. At the same time, there are many, many clubs and fields that are close to DC in both Maryland and Virginia.
As teams move up into the more competitive divisions within each league, more travel will be necessary.
Who runs the travel teams?
DC Stoddert assists the teams in their formation and sets up the administrative structure necessary for play in NCSL, WAGS and ODSL. DC Stoddert selects highly qualified coaches to teach skills, to run practices and to coach the games.
Parents must select a volunteer manager to handle the administrative aspects for each team. The manager is responsible for, or delegates responsibility for: managing finances, ordering uniforms, coordinating weekly field preparations, registering the team with the travel league and doing other administrative activities.
The coach, with the assistance of the manger, will then run the team on a day-to-day basis within the guidelines of Stoddert and the travel league in which the team is playing. Each coach reports to DC Stoddert’s Travel Director and to the Stoddert travel Commissioners, who are collectively responsible for directing the travel program.
Once players have been selected, there will be a mandatory parent’s organizational meeting in mid-June to discuss the formation and administration of the teams.
What are the costs to be on a travel team?
Travel soccer teams are coached by soccer professionals. Costs for these high-quality coaches and other expenses are significant. Coaching and administration fees will be payable in two installments to DC Stoddert. A completed registration and the first payment (approximately half) will be due shortly after the player is notified that he/she has been selected for the team in June. The second payment will be due in late Fall for the Spring season.
Stoddert’s coaching and administrative costs per player for the whole year will be between $1,000 and $1,300 and will be determined specifically in late Spring. Fees for the uniforms (only U9 or new players to U10; other age groups have additional fees), goalkeeper clinics and DC Stoddert-based tournaments are included, as are fees for the team playing in either the NCSL, WAGS or ODSL. Because each team decides its needs independently, fees to cover various other expenses such as additional tournaments, Winter indoor practice facilities and additional scheduled coaching sessions will be billed and collected separately by the team manager. These additional costs could be $80 to $300 per player.
Are scholarships available?
YES! Partial scholarships are available for those who would not be able to participate without one. Information regarding the scholarship program is available through the boys’ or girl’s travel Commissioner.
Whom do I contact for more information?
For more information on the Travel/Developmental Soccer program, or if you have questions, please click here for the Director of Travel Soccer and the Travel/Develpmental Commissioners.
