Travel Team Selection

Travel Team Selection

Travel Team Selection Process

Travel Team Selection Process

Travel Team Selection - Fall 2024 - Spring 2025 - It is important to be placed in the right environment!

This section is meant to provide all WSA members with more information on the travel team selection process. 

There are 2 key objectives that keep us on track throughout the process. 
 

1. We want to make sure that all players are given the opportunity to play and train in a safe and challenging environment.
 

2. We want to accurately assess and evaluate all players to be able to place them accordingly. We seek to place all players in an environment that suits their needs.
 

It is not always easy as a parent, but it is very important to be realistic and realize that playing on the first team is not the #1 priority. We would hate to see a player lose confidence in his or her skills because the player was misplaced on a team that didn’t fit his or her needs. The placement of players is the key to ensure players enjoy the experience and are given the opportunity to develop.

We continue to monitor the development of all players in the travel program throughout the year. We aim to develop all of the players within the program and will move players from team to team if it will benefit the player or players in question. In the end, we ask that both players and parents worry less about being placed on a particular team and to focus on enjoying the privilege and reward of being placed on a travel team.
 

Several factors are considered in the evaluation process.

  1. Attitude
  2. Effort
  3. Perserverance
  4. Coach ability
  5. Commitment
  6. Discipline
  7. Playing ability
     

We all know that ability is important, but as in life, not the only factor that determines where you end up. We gather information from a variety of sources to ensure we have the data needed to place players on the right team. As part of the process we will run programs in the Spring that will provide us with information on all interested players and help us with the team selection.
 

Travel Commitment – general outline

We ask our travel players to commit to soccer four days a week (three 90-minute training sessions and one game) and their effort, attendance, and participation is critical to the success of the program and their development.

The Fall Season starts shortly after Labor Day Weekend, with teams often starting their team practice sessions late August. The Fall Season runs through November, typically finishing the weekend before Thanksgiving.

The Spring Season starts early March and wraps up right around Memorial Day Weekend. Depending on the age and the level a team competes at this may be extended into June.

Please note that almost all travel teams do participate in winter training as well. On top of that the WSA does also offer all travel players the opportunity to take part in an in-house futsal league every winter. This in-house futsal league is set up for those players interested in additional practice-play time over the winter.

It is important to remember that the team selection is not solely based on the participation of our members in the programs we provide. We gather information through mid-year and end of spring evaluations from professional and head coaches as part of the process.

Anyone who is interested to play travel during the upcoming season needs to take part in the program they are eligible for based on their year of birth. Participation, however, doesn’t guarantee placement in the travel program.

 

Travel Team Selection Overview


 

Travel Team Selection Overview - Spring 2024
Year of Birth Age Group Selection Process
2016 Incoming U9’s U8 Pre Travel Program
2015 Incoming U10’s   Age Group Academy
2014 Incoming U11’s   Age Group Academy
2013 Incoming U12’s  Open Practice sessions
2012 Incoming U13’s Open Practice Sessions
2011 Incoming U14’s Open Practice Sessions
2010 Incoming U15's Open Practice Sessions

 

Travel Team Selection Info Night

 


 

Incoming U9s (2016)

Incoming U9s (2016)


The travel program of the WSA starts at U9. This means that interested players can take part in our U8 pre-travel program this coming Spring.

Anyone who wants to be considered for a travel team needs to take part in this U8 pre-travel academy program. This is the only way to be assessed / considered for a U9 travel team for the Fall. Taking part is a necessity but does not guarantee anyone a place on a travel team for the year ahead.

Dates/program info for the U8 academy/pre travel program are out. Check out the link below for more information and to work out how to register:

 

U8 Pre-Travel Program

Travel teams for the incoming U9’s will be announced on Sunday June 9th.

 

Info Night - Incoming U9's

We will hold a town hall to provide all the parents of our U8 pre travel program with a great opportunity to gain a greater insight on how the U8 pre travel program is run. Participants will also be able to ask any questions they may have.

Tuesday April 16th, 7pm @ Knights of Columbus, North Ave

 

 


Incoming U10s (2015) and U11s (2014)

Incoming U10s (2015) and U11s (2014)

Participants born 2014 & 2015 - incoming U10 and U11 players

  • 6 weeks / no interruptions
  • Boys - Monday 4/15 through 5/20
    • 2014 Boys 3:30-5:00PM - Houlihan Turf Field
    • 2015 Boys 5:00-6:30PM - Houlihan Turf Field
  • Girls – Tuesday 4/16 through 5/21
    • 2015 Girls 3:30-5:00PM - Houlihan Turf Field
    • 2014 Girls 5:00-6:30PM - Houlihan Turf Field

Over the course of 6 weeks all players will be exposed to different coaches to be evaluated. The curriculum used will be based on the key concepts that receive the most attention in these age groups. The set up used will help us gather important information to place all players accordingly.

We will also ask the head coach and professional coach for each team to fill out a player evaluation. These evaluations are also part of the decision-making process. For Intercounty players, we will solicit evaluations from our Intercounty coaches. 

It is a necessity to take part in this program if you want to be considered for U10 or U11 travel but taking part does not guarantee you a spot on a travel team.

 

Current travel players:

Current travel players are expected to take part in the academy. These academy sessions replace one of your weekly practices within the time frame listed above. You do not need to register. 

The travel coaches will also complete an evaluation, which will be used to help determine player placement for the year ahead.

 

Non travel player - but interested in trying out?

Anyone currently not in travel, but interested in trying out, should register via the link below. This is the only way for non-travel players born in 2014 or 2015 to be accurately assessed.

 

 Sign up here 

Travel teams for the 2014 and 2015 boys and girls will be announced on Sunday June 9th.

 

Selection Info Night

We will hold a town hall to provide all the parents with a great opportunity to gain a greater insight on how the travel program is run. Participants will also be able to ask any questions they may have.

Tuesday April 16th, 8pm @ Knights of Columbus, North Ave

 

Incoming U12s (2013) - U15's (2010) - Open Practice Sessions

Incoming U12s (2013) - U15's (2010) - Evaluation Festivals & Open Practice Sessions

 

Current travel players

All 2010-2013 travel players will be evaluated by their respective travel coaches to help determine placement for the 2024-25 season.

 

Non travel players

Anyone currently not in the WSA travel program but interested in this program can take part in a couple of practices with an existing team. This will help the WSA coaching staff determine where someone may fit in.

To be considered you simply need to register online. The WSA  will reach out to you in early April and invite each interested player to a couple of practice sessions.

You can expect this to start after Spring break, somewhere mid-April.

See link below.

 

 Sign up here 

All travel teams will be announced no later than Sunday June 9th.

 

Selection Info Night

We will hold a town hall to provide all the parents with a great opportunity to gain a greater insight on how the travel program is run. Participants will also be able to ask any questions they may have.

Tuesday April 16th, 8pm @ Knights of Columbus, North Ave

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