About the TVSC Travel Program
1. What are the expectations of players and parents for Travel Teams?
2. Why are there evaluations for Travel Teams?
3. How are the Travel Teams formed?
4. What are the important dates regarding Travel Teams?
Check the website for specific dates. However, the general calendar is as follows:
- April + May:
- Registration for Fall Season
- Spring Season Begins
- May: Player Evaluations: Evaluations will be the week of May 21 to 25th . All u9-u12 players must attend (birth years 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007).
- June: Fall teams are announced with goal to inform every athlete on same date prior to end of school year.
- July/August:
- Team Soccer Camps
- Fall season team practice begins (depends on team and the coach)
- September: Fall season begins
- November: Fall season ends
- December Travel Program Awards Night
5. What are the coach requirements for Travel Teams?
6. What uniform is required for Travel soccer?
The TVSC designated uniform includes an Adidas light green/home jersey, black/away jersey, black shorts, and socks. These can be ordered and purchased through the club, and an email is sent to all registered participants prior to the start of the season with a link for purchase. Each year one jersey is included in the price of registration. This will alternate home and away jersey each year. In this way, new athletes only need to purchase the one jersey their first year, along with shorts and socks. Subsequent years this enables new jerseys to replace old ones as each athlete grows. All players are required to wear shin guards, covered by socks, and to wear appropriate cleats at all practices and games. All players should bring the appropriate size ball and a water bottle to practices and games. An appropriate size ball is included in the registration cost for the first year of each ball size (U9 athletes receive a size 4 ball, U13 athletes receive a size 5 ball)
7. How can I help the Twin Valley Soccer Club?
The club is comprised 100% of volunteers. We have meetings for parents and coaches every month, which are open for anyone to attend. We discuss the finances and general responsibilities of the club; and issues and programs currently impacting players, coaches, and parents of the club. Our Board of Directors is comprised of six primary members with additional at large members identified on an "as needed" basis. Please consider getting involved with the club, asking your coach if they need assistance, or helping with one of our volunteer opportunities. We always need help with team management, soliciting sponsors, managing club activities such as picnics, outings and our annual award ceremony. Soccer experience is not required, just a desire to contribute to our community and the players the club serves.
8. What is my role as a parent for my child’s soccer team?
Parents are critical to the success of the team and club. Parents volunteer for the roles of coach, officer, photographer, manager or committee member. There are many things a parent can do to make the soccer experience a pleasant one for both their child and themselves.
Please be prompt in delivery and pickup of your child to practice and games. Please stay and watch practices and games. It means a lot to your child to show an interest in what they do.
Please check in with your child’s coach periodically to see if there is any information that you need. If you will be missing a practice or a game, please let your coach know as soon as possible. All of our coaches are more than happy to address your concerns or questions. After practice is an ideal time to do this.
Be available to kick the ball around with your child at home. The more touches a child has on the soccer ball, the better his/her skills will become. Have them teach you what they learn in practice. Avoid material rewards such as paying for goals or treats for a good job on the field. Try to instill an attitude that reflects the importance of team play and the joy of the game as the reward.
Avoid coaching from the sidelines. Players get confused if mom and dad are telling him/her to do one thing when the coach is telling him/her something else.
Be a positive spectator and respect both teams and the referee. Practice good sportsmanship. After the game whether they win or especially if they lose, don’t critique or instruct your child. Positive reinforcement works best. Saying, “Great effort” and “Did you have fun” de-emphasize the final score, but rather focus on the fun of the game. Avoid blaming others too. Make your child feel important and let him/her know that he is contributing to a team effort. Allow your child to be a child and enjoy the game without pressure from you to perform.
Most of all, enjoy watching your child and the other children play soccer.