Recreation Soccer (Grades K-8)

The Recreation program is open to all Chatham children entering Kindergarten through 8th grade.  The program is generally 8-10 weeks long in the fall and consists of weekday sessions led by professional trainers and weekend games run by parent coaches assisted by professional trainers.

Travel (9U-15U)

The CU Travel program is for Chatham players who are interested in playing soccer at a highly competitive level with teams throughout central New Jersey.  The program follows the US Soccer curriculum (https://www.ussoccer.com/Coaches/Coaching-Education/Coaching-Home.aspx) using professionally certified coaches and is designed to constantly challenge players by:

- Developing the technical skills and thorough understanding of game tactics/strategy necessary to compete at an advanced level.
- Creating a desire to excel in a competitive environment
- Developing a spirit of teamwork and sportsmanship
- Establishing a life-long passion for the game

Players in the travel program are evaluated and selected for teams based on assessments by their coaches from the previous season and tryouts conducted in the winter and spring by independent evaluators.  All players must participate in tryouts to be considered for placement on a team and returning players are not guaranteed a spot on a team.

The CU Travel program is a multi-season program.

Academy (Junior, 6U, 7U, and 8U)

Players are taught fundamental soccer skills and then put into small sided games to encourage as many touches on the ball as possible. Coaches will follow a curriculum so players are learning new skills each week within small sided games. Our academy style training is player centered and coaches will guide players but allow ample opportunity to experiment, try things, and learn to make their own decisions in the games.

The program starts with Fall 8 week sessions for our youngest players in Junior Academy and 6U Academy.

In 6U and 7U, training is offered as a supplement for Recreation.

The 7U and 8U Academy programs is multi-seasonal comprised of 10 training weeks for both the Fall and Spring seasons.  Fall training weeks will consist of two weekday practice sessions and game on Saturdays (7U Rec games and 8U against other CU 8U TDP players.   Spring weekly training will have one weekday practice and one weekday afternoon game. Optional winter sessions may be also available.

The program does not require tryouts and is open to all Chatham players.  Participation in the Academy Program is not a pre-requisite for CU 9U Travel soccer; nor does playing in the 8U TDP Academy guarantee a spot on a 9U Travel team.

TOPSoccer (5-18)

The Chatham United TOPSoccer program is being established for Chatham players with disabilities aged 5-15 years of age. The emphasis of this program is on development, training, and meaningful participation rather than competition. TOPSoccer was formed to perpetuate the US Youth Soccer mission statement, which is, “to foster physical, mental, and emotional growth and development through the sport of soccer at all levels of age and competition.” Our goal is to enable our young athletes with disabilities to develop their physical fitness, technical skills, courage and self esteem, through the joy and excitement of playing soccer.

TOPSoccer is designed to give everyone a chance to play soccer, while providing the experience of working together as a team, achieving individual goals, and, most of all, HAVING FUN!