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What is travel soccer?

The Greenbush Soccer Club is part of The Capital District Youth Soccer League (www.cdysl.org), which is sanctioned by the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (www.usyouthsoccer.org); a member of Region 1 of the United States Youth Soccer Association (www.region1.com).  US Youth Soccer is the largest member of the United Stated Soccer Federation (www.ussoccer.com), the governing body for soccer in the United States. 

CDYSL (The Capital District Youth Soccer League) provides a healthy activity through its small sided games programs for the youngest players. These programs emphasize FUN, and de-emphasize winning at all costs. Every child is guaranteed playing time and the game is taught in a fun and enjoyable atmosphere. 

For the player with advanced skills and greater ambition, highly competitive leagues and tournaments are available. This player might have his or her sights set on a college soccer scholarship or playing for the U. S. Olympic or National teams. 

For all players, opportunities exist for league play, participation in local and regional tournaments, and statewide competition leading to a national tournament.  CDYSL sponsors youth soccer play among more than 60 clubs in the east-central and northeast parts of New York, Western Massachusetts, and Southwestern Vermont.  The majority of CDYSL is composed of teams generally within a 30 mile radius of East Greenbush.

 

What is Travel Soccer versus the Recreational League?

Travel soccer is offered as a means for the further development of individual, group, and team soccer skills through additional practice and competition against teams from other CDYSL clubs.  CDYSL had\s several divisions of play for each age group and tries to place the most competitive teams into either Division 1 or 2; location being an important consideration with the creation of Division 3 and lower. 

Travel soccer games are equally divided between ‘home’ and ‘away’ games.  Home games are played at the Phillips Road fields while away games are played at the home field of the competition.  In comparison, the recreational program is played against other members of the rec program and play is always at the Phillips Road. 

Travel teams usually participate in indoor soccer leagues throughout the winter at commercial facilities and in tournaments hosted by those facilities or by other CDYSL clubs.  Each travel team and coach decides how many indoor sessions and tournaments they want to play.

CDYSL Travel games are refereed by officials certified by the United States Soccer Federation, whereas rec program officials are Greenbush travel players who are trained to referee by club officials and are learning to officiate. 

Travel coaches are typically more experienced than the House program coaches. The Rec program is often a stepping stone for players, coaches and referees into the Travel program.

Uniforms for the rec program are cotton t-shirts and a pair of soccer socks. Travel uniforms are a complete set, known as a ‘kit’, including two jerseys (home and away), shorts, and socks. 

Greenbush Soccer has hired professional trainers from the Afrim’s and the Alleycats to help our players reach their soccer potential.  These trainers work with the players on foot and game skills all throughout the indoor sessions.

 

What training do Greenbush Travel Soccer coaches have?

Each year, professional and volunteer coaches donate their time and efforts to help Greenbush Travel teams . Typically these volunteers have valuable soccer experience and include former college coaches and players. All Greenbush Coaches are licensed in accordance with CDYSL guidelines.  Some have regional or state-level coaching licenses and continue to add to their credentials every year. All have a great love for the game and a desire to pass along their technical and tactical knowledge of the game. The goal of our program is to show our kids how much fun they can have learning the sport of soccer while teaching them the value of teamwork, sportsmanship, and fitness. Greenbush  considers the U8, U10 age groups to be developmental, while the older ages are more competitive.  Travel Soccer is an organized, safe, and enjoyable soccer experience. 

 

Will my child have a team or be cut?

Greenbush Soccer does everything possible to place players with appropriate ability on a team. Sometimes we have to recruit players from our rec program and other clubs to fill teams that have insufficient numbers; however, all age groups/teams do have to abide by CDYSL roster restrictions. 

 

When will I know what team my child is on?

The Greenbush Travel Coordinator and Coaches will meet to discuss player placement on teams. Players will be selected to teams usually within a week after tryouts conclude. You should expect contact from the coach in that timeframe 

 

What Costs are involved?

All players should expect a yearly cost between $500-$700 (registration through June).  This would include player registration, uniform, two or three  indoor sessions, indoor training time at Afrims, professional training at Afrims,  and two or three local tournaments.  Fees are due in three installments, usually October, December and February.

 

When, where, how far, and how many practices and games are there? 

Practices:  Most Greenbush teams practice once per week. More competitive or advanced teams may practice more.  Practice schedules are left to the coaches and teams.   Practices are held at Afrim’s in Latham or Colonie and last and hour and a half.  Other practice times may occur at school gyms when available.  Outdoor practices usually occur at the Phillips Road fields.

Games:  Travel Soccer is broken down into Sessions.  A team can play up to three indoor sessions and the Spring Travel Session.  The number of indoor sessions a team participates in is up to the coach and the team.  It is not necessary to participate in the indoor sessions to play the Spring session.  It is, however, highly recommended to participate in the indoor sessions for player and team development. Indoor games are played at local soccer arenas such as Afrim’s (www.afrimsports.com) in Colonie and Latham, and the Sportplex of Halfmoon (www.sportsplexofhalfmoon.com) in Clifton Park.  Indoor session comprise 8 games and usually only one game per week is played.  The first session is Nov-Dec, the second is Jan-Feb and the third is Mar-Apr.

 

Traditional Play Days:

Below is an overview of the traditional play days by gender and age at Afrims and Sportsplex

U8 Mixed Saturday /Session 1 2009

U10 Boys Monday/Friday   Session 1 2009

U10 Girls Saturday/Session 1 2009

U12 Boys Sunday/ Session 1 2009

U12 Girls Saturday /Session 1 2009

U14 Boys Wednesday/Saturday   Session 1 2009

 U14 Girls Saturday/Session 1 2009

U16 Boys Friday/Session 1 2009

U16 Girls Sunday/Session 1 2009

U17 Boys Tuesday /Session 1 2009

U17 Girls Tuesday /Session 1 2009

 

Spring Travel games are played during May and June both at home and at other CDYSL clubs.  They are usually limited in travel time ranging up to one hour away (depending on division make up).   There are generally ten games and there can be one or two games per week to fit the games into the 8 week schedule.  There are no scheduled play dates for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, however, games can be rescheduled on these days if teams agree.  Older age groups (U-17/18/19) may have more erratic game days/dates, or be subject to more games rescheduled due to various work/school/college schedules.

 

Fall Travel may be taken advantage of by the U10 and U12 age groups.  The Fall schedule generally runs about 6 weeks with games generally played at Phillips Road and Bethlehem fields.  It is a good opportunity for the players to get their feet wet in competitive soccer.  Games are always on Sunday’s through early Nov.

 

Tournaments:    There are many and varied styles of tournaments, both local and away, available to travel teams.  Tournament choices are left to the coach and the team.  Most local tournaments cost between $20-40 per player.  Higher level tournaments can cost more and overnight or away tournaments will have the added cost of lodging, meals, etc.  All such costs are the responsibility of the team and coach entering the tournament.

 

 

 

GYSC COACHING CONTACTS 2009/2010

(2010/11 Coaches TBD)

U8 COED     Jaimie Scott

                        Ashley Palmer

U10 GIRLS  A     Brad Hutton

U10 GIRLS  B     Josh Sabo

U12 GIRLS     Marc Applebaum

U13 GIRLS     Greg Smead

U14 GIRLS     Mike McGovern

U16 GIRLS     Joe D'Amico

 

U10 BOYS     Rob Plowinskie

U11 BOYS     Tom Bruno

U12 BOYS     Vince Futia

U14 BOYS     Matt Giugno

U16 BOYS     Matt Giugno

U17 BOYS     Jack Curtin