Q. What is a “travel” team?
A. A travel team is a team sponsored by SVSC that participates in league play with teams from other soccer clubs and associations in Southwest Pennsylvania. While a travel team will have “home” games, it will also be required to play “away” games at other clubs, e.g., Mt. Lebanon, West Mifflin, South Allegheny, Elizabeth Forward, and so forth. Transportation is the responsibility of individual parents.
Q. What leagues do the club’s travel teams play in?
A. The travel teams play in the South District of PA West. Within the South District, there are a number of leagues organized by age group and gender, and within age groups, there are different divisions, dictated by interest and competitiveness. For example, the South District may have a U12 boys league. Within that league, there may be a second division, a third division, and a fourth division.
Q. How are travel teams formed?
A. Generally speaking, interested players must register with SVSC. If there are enough players registered within a specific age group, and if there is a coach willing to volunteer, SVSC will form a team and enter it in the appropriate league within the South District of PA West.
Q. For what age groups does SVSC sponsor teams?
A. Depending on interest, SVSC will form and enter teams from ages 9 up to 19 (both boys/coed and girls).
Q. What if there are more players registered than what is needed to field a team?
A. If there is enough interest for two teams, SVSC will form a second team within that age group. If there is not enough interest to form two teams, the coach will select the team, either by tryout or other equitable means. If your child is not rostered, SVSC will issue a full refund of the registration fee.
Q. If I register my child for travel soccer, is he or she guaranteed a team to play on?
A. No. The formation of travel teams is dictated by interest. If there are not enough players, or there is not a coach, SVSC reserves the right to elect not to form a team in that particular age group. Similarly, if there are too many players registered, some players may not be rostered. If one of these situations occurs, SVSC will issue a full refund of the registration fee.
Q. When are games played?
A. Games are played on Sunday afternoons.
Q. Where are home games played?
A. Presently, U12 teams and below play home games at St. Therese (natural grass), while older teams play at Campbell Field (turf). However, other fields may be utilized depending on the circumstances.
Q. What is the schedule?
A. Travel teams have a Fall and Spring season, with the Fall season beginning after Labor Day and ending in early November and the Spring season beginning in late March and ending in June.
Q. What about practice?
A. Practice schedules are established by the individual coaches. Typically, coaches hold one or two practices a week during the season, usually on weeknights.
Q. Will my child’s team play at the PA West Open Tournament (aka Edinboro)?
A. SVSC does not guarantee participation by all its teams at Edinboro, but in most instances will accommodate a travel team’s interest in playing in the tournament.
Q. What about uniforms?
A. Uniforms are an additional cost. Your child’s team’s coach will decide what to do about uniforms.
Q. Is there any required equipment?
A. Each child must wear a pair of shin guards for practices and games. Highly recommended, but not required: a soccer ball (Size 4 for U12 and under; Size 5 for U14 and older); and a pair of soccer cleats. Please note that your child’s coach may require additional equipment, such as a ball.
Q. Must I volunteer if my child plays?
A. SVSC is an all-volunteer organization, and strongly encourages every family to volunteer their skills and time. However, SVSC does not have a mandatory volunteer policy. Volunteer opportunities exist for coaching, refereeing, club administration, field preparation and maintenance (primarily lining fields and cutting grass), fundraising, concessions and sponsorship, among others.
Q. I want to coach. What do I need to do?
A. When you register your child, check the box on the registration form indicating your interest in coaching, or contact an SVSC officer. If you are assigned a team, you will be asked to register for a background check. SVSC pays all costs associated with the background check. The background check is good for two years.
Q. Does the Club provide training to coaches?
A. SVSC can provide training materials to coaches upon request. Moreover, if you want additional training, SVSC highly encourages you to attend one of the coaching clinics offered locally by PA West. For travel coaches, the PA “E” certification is recommended. It is an 18-hour course. Also recommended is the PA West Intermediate Coaching Course, especially for coaches playing small-sided games (U12 and below). SVSC will reimburse you for all fees associated with the courses. Coaches are also urged to consider obtaining a PA “D” license, a USSF “C” license, a USSF “B” license, and/or a USSF “A” license. SVSC will consider reimbursing coaches for some or all of the fees associated with the requisite courses, upon request.
Q. If my child is playing travel soccer, may he or she play in-house, as well?
A. Yes, provided your child is age-eligible.