Travel teams are the advanced play program of the Hillcrest Lakers. We field teams in multiple age divisions of the Westchester Youth Soccer League (WYSL). Travel is a full year commitment including Fall and Spring seasons with optional Winter clinic. Our teams compete at suitably competitive tiers of league play. Our coaches promote a positive approach to player and team development. We strive to promote respect for oneself, the team unit, our coaches and referees, and the game of soccer. We have partnered with the New York City Football Club (NYCFC) who provide professional trainers for twice a week practices. The NYCFC coaches evaluate individual and team skill levels working alongside committed parent volunteer coaches. Parent coaches manage the game and work with the NYCFC coaching staff to continuously develop our players skills. All coaches are Safe Sport certified, attend US Soccer Grassroot Coaching, and Heads Up Concussion Protocol training.
Players can begin in the u8 age groups. We begin to evaluate players and organize teams in the Spring for the fulling Fall & Spring seasons. Our Travel program uses the NYCFC professional trainer’s tryout evaluations and feedback from the coaches to assist in forming all the teams. This enables us to place teams in the appropriate competitive divisions so that each player is challenged and continues to develop. Each player is required to try out for placement on a Travel team.
Our travel program is a member of the Westchester Youth Soccer League (WYSL). The WYSL Fall Season games start the weekend following Labor Day and run through the weekend prior to Thanksgiving. The Spring program generally commences the first weekend of April and ends around Fathers’ Day. WYSL does not have a winter soccer season, but travel teams are expected to participate in our winter clinic program. Winter clinic program is an additional cost. Fall/Spring Seasons Games are generally held on Sundays. Team practices will be twice a week. Team managers/coaches may also coordinate additional practices from time to time. Winter Season (Clinics) Winter Clinics will be offered in January and Travel players are highly encouraged to participate. (additional costs) Playing Time Unlike our Core Soccer program (where we aim to have equal playing time for all players), our travel program is a competitive program and we do not guarantee equal play time for all players. While there is no guarantee of equal game playing time, all players receive meaningful game playing time throughout the season. More importantly, all players participate in two practices each week during the regular Fall/Spring seasons – – which is geared toward improvement of individual skills.
You are responsible for purchasing a travel uniform for your child from www.soccer.com. More details about ordering uniform kits will be provided upon acceptance to the Travel program. Each player will need to pay for a home and away jersey (approx.. $100 total). Other equipment will be optional.
The cost for the travel program is $700 total and includes the Fall and Spring season. This does not include the uniforms which you will pay for through soccer.com. This cost includes two training sessions per week with professional NYCFC trainers and the games on Sundays through the WYSL league.