Travel Soccer Overview

Travel Soccer Overview

Colonial SC’s Travel program starts at U9 and runs through U19. The fall soccer season generally starts the weekend after Labor Day, and many travel teams choose to play indoor winter soccer and spring soccer in addition to participating in tournaments throughout the year. Travel tryouts are generally held in April/May of each year. A tryout schedule will be posted on the website listing the dates for specific ages.

What is Travel Soccer?

Travel soccer is for players who are looking for more intensive training and playing with and against a higher level of competition. This means that the level of play is more advanced, and that the level of play and development of the players is expected to exceed that of the players who play Intramural soccer. However, it does not mean that our Travel program is focused on winning; the focus is on long-term player development and “FUN”.

What Can You Expect?

If you make the travel team, you can expect to have a much more intensive year of soccer than you have experienced at the intramural level, with many teams playing soccer year-round (fall, winter and spring).

Practices for the fall season typically start during the July/August and take place two times a week through the end of November. Fall games typically start the weekend after Labor Day and run through end of November as well. You also will be competing in tournament play, perhaps two to three times before, during and after the season.

Games and tournaments will entail travel. Specifically, you can anticipate at least ½ of your games to be “away”. This can mean driving up to one hour (in one direction) to a game for a regular season game and traveling one or two hours to a Tournament — which, most commonly will last an entire weekend (i.e. Friday through Sunday). Also, many of our travel teams participate in Winter indoor sessions, State Cup tournaments in the Spring and Spring league play.

What Is Expected of You?

If you make the travel team, your full commitment is expected. That commitment means that you must attend all practices, games, and tournaments during the fall primary soccer season. It will be expected that your parent(s) will facilitate your participation and attend all events relating to games and tournaments with you. Conflicts, such as other sports or social commitments, are expected to be resolved in favor of travel team commitments. We encourage players to also play additional sports outside of the primary fall soccer season, and expect players to honor their commitments to those sports in the winter and spring. Each team will set expectations for off-season play and potential conflicts should be discussed directly with each coach.

In addition to a participation commitment, there is also a financial commitment. While the fall season is paid as part of your membership dues to the Colonial Soccer Club, you are expected to pay a pro rata share for tournaments, winter indoor, spring cups & league play and any camps or professional training arranged by your team.

Where are Games Played?

This may sound strange — but, the Colonial Soccer teams actually play in a different League. In our case, Colonial SC teams typically play in the Inter-County Soccer League. Inter-County Soccer League includes teams from, primarily, Montgomery and Bucks County. In addition some of our teams participate in the Delco Soccer League and Philadelphia Area Girls Soccer league which has participants across Eastern Pennsylvania and bordering states. This means that all of the away games will cause you and your parents to “travel” to your soccer games.

What if I have Additional Questions?

Should you have any questions about the Colonial SC Travel program please contact our Director of Travel, Shannon Casey.