Briarcliff Youth Soccer Club

May 2, 2012

Briarcliff Parents,

As we approach May and June, we wanted to share information regarding the Fall 2012 BYSC Travel Program.  Similar to last Fall, for Fall 2012, BYSC plans to have travel teams compete in three leagues through our league affiliations - the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) for inter-town travel play, the Westchester Youth Soccer League (WYSL) for classic travel play, and the New York Club Soccer League (NYCSL) for premier travel play. 

What is a BYSC Travel team?

A BYSC Travel Team is a team of committed players that is chosen through an evaluation process that plays against other towns in an affiliated travel league.  For Fall 2012, BYSC will be forming travel teams for U10-HS to compete in AYSO, WYSL, and NYCSL.  Travel team soccer is competitive team soccer comprised of teams from communities in Westchester, the Bronx and Manhattan. 

The vision of the BYSC Travel Program is teach the game of soccer grounding players in the skills, tactics and strategies of the game while fostering a love for the sport.

At what age does the BYSC Travel Program start?

For Fall 2012, BYSC is moving towards starting its travel program at U10.  All Fall 2012 U9 players will play on competitive AYSO U10 Primary Standard Inter-town Travel Teams.  WYSL travel teams will start at U10 and for Fall 2012, there will be no WYSL U9 travel teams formed.  NYCSL teams will start at U11.

The BYSC U10 and U11 age groups are considered developmental.  Due to the developmental focus of the U10 –U11 groups, it is imperative that player pools be protected and players are given the appropriate level of play to maximize playing time, build skills and maximize enjoyment.  Also, all U10 travel teams are single season teams and new WYSL travel teams will be reformed for U11 play the following spring.

BYSC Travel Program Commitment & Values

In our BYSC travel Program, we strive to teach children the sense of accomplishment that can be achieved through working together.  Towards this end, we require a commitment from each child to work hard, come to scheduled practices and games, to support each other, and to win or lose as a team.  As there are often more potential players than there are team positions available, we ask that players who choose to participate on BYSC travel teams make a commitment to the team.

Emphasizing teamwork and commitment serves a greater purpose than to teach abstract values.  It is the most efficient way to develop competitive teams.  This is because soccer is a team sport and because games are won by teams, not by collections of individuals.  Just as importantly, it teaches that success can be achieved by hard work. 

Finally, the philosophy of emphasizing sportsmanship helps to teach children how to handle themselves in the most competitive of situations.  Towards this end, we expect and insist that travel parents set good examples of sportsmanship through positive reinforcement of players, coaches and referees.  Parental sideline conduct is strictly monitored by BYSC Board members and the referees of the affiliated leagues.

The philosophy of the BYSC Travel program ensures that every child who demonstrates a commitment to the team will play in every game.  For the Fall 2012 developmental U10 and U11 AYSO and WYSL travel teams, players will play at least half a game.  For U12+ WYSL and NYCSL travel teams, the amount of playing time will vary depending upon the child’s progress and the game situation.

Basic WYSL Travel Time Commitment
Two 10 week seasons - Fall and Spring (Sept.-Nov. & April-June).
No games Columbus Day Weekend, Memorial Day Weekend or Easter.
Game each Sunday, 1-2 team practices/week with a professional trainer.

How are travel teams formed?

Boys and girls are formed into teams based on gender and age.  Ages are defined based on the league being played in: WYSL and NYCSL base it on being younger than an age by a specific date (e.g., for the 2012-13 year, U10s must be born between 8/1/02 and 7/31/03).  AYSO U10 Inter-town Travel Teams are based on grade (3^rd and 4th graders).

Those wishing to play for a WYSL travel team, must attend an open tryout and candidates must pre-register at  http://www.briarcliffsoccer.org/page/show/472096-travel

How are travel coaches selected?

WYSL Travel coaches are selected by the BYSC Board.  AYSO U10+ Coaches are selected by the AYSO Regional Board.  All coaches must apply to coach and are required to have appropriate AYSO/USSF/NSCAA certifications as required by the leagues. 

What is the travel play format?

• U10 AYSO Travel Teams: 7 V 7 format on a smaller field
• U10 WYSL and NYCSL Travel Teams: 8v8 format on a smaller field
• U11 WYSL and NYCSL Travel Teams: 9 V 9 format on a smaller field
• U12 and older WYSL and NYCSL Travel Teams: 11 V 11 format on a regulation-sized field

How much does it cost to play travel?

Travel costs vary by league and are contingent on many factors (practice frequency, degree professional trainers are used, number of tournaments planned, etc. to name a few).   

Key Dates

May 10 – Parent Information Session, 48 Macy Road, 7:30 pm
May 19 – Current AYSO Player Evaluations for Fall AYSO Team Placement
June 2 – Fall 2012 U10 WYSL Travel Team Open Tryouts, The Club Field, 1-2:30 pm
June 10 - Fall 2012 U10 WYSL Travel Team Selection of players and coaches
June 18 – Fall 2012 U10 WYSL Travel Selection Communication to Parents
June 20-22 - Parents Respond to Assignments*
June 23-24 - Additional Assignments Based on Parent Responses             

 

*Parents will receive email regarding their child’s evaluation and team assignment. Parents will have 48 hours to respond; if parents choose to not have their child commit to the assigned team, the spot will be opened to the next player on the evaluation list; the child will then be recommended for the next appropriate team – everyone gets a team.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at travel@briarcliffsoccer.org.

 

Sincerely,

Tom Richer, Briarcliff Youth Soccer Club, Co-President
James Rinzler, Briarcliff Youth Soccer Club, Co-President