Fall 2024- Spring 2025:

 

I. Tryouts

The tryout itself will consist of two practice sessions where current and new players will be evaluated by the age group coach and an additional evaluating coach.

Coaches will run a technical warm up and then the players will play small sided games for the remainder of the evaluation.

Players will be checked in by a parent volunteer and given a tryout number.

Parents are not permitted to stay and we kindly ask that you leave after checking your player in.

After the tryouts parents will be informed if their child will be offered a spot in the travel program for their age group. Teams will be announced following the 2024 spring season.

*Please remind players they are not allowed to use their cellphones during the tryout on the sidelines

II. Selection Process

This section is meant to provide all CU members with more information on the travel team selection process.

1. We want to make sure that all players are given the opportunity to play and train in a challenging and safe environment.

Our goal is to place players in the right training and playing environment for optimal development.

2. We want to accurately assess and evaluate all players to be able to place them accordingly.
   

The placement of players is the key to ensure players enjoy the experience and are given the opportunity to develop. It is not always easy as a parent, but it is very important to be realistic and realize that playing on the first team of CU should not be the number 1 priority. Our goal is to have a player gain confidence in his or her skills because the player was placed on a team that fit his or her needs.

We continue to monitor the development of all players in the travel program throughout the year. We do so by having teams within the same age group train side by side throughout the season. This allows coaches within an age group full access to the other teams. Within training we occasionally use inter squad games to gauge player development and opportunities for players to be promoted within the program. We aim to develop all of the players within the program and we will move players from team to team if it will benefit the player or players in question. In the end, we ask that both players and parents worry less about being placed on a particular team and to focus on enjoying the privilege and reward of being placed on a travel team.
Several factors are considered in the evaluation process.

1. Attitude
2. Effort
3. Perseverance
4. Ability
5. Commitment
6. Discipline
7. Coachability

We all know that ability is important, but as in life, not the only factor that determines where you end up. We gather information from the first day of the season, tryouts and through the end of the season to ensure we have the data needed to place players on the right team. The Director of Coaching (DOC) and Coaching Staff have regular meetings regarding individual player development and rosters are a continually evolving piece of these discussions. As part of the process, we will run programs in the Fall, Winter and Spring that will provide us with information on all interested players and help us with the team selection.
Travel Commitment – general outline

We ask our travel players to commit to the sport for 3 to 4 days a week (two 60/90-minute training sessions and 1- 2 games a weekend). Their effort, attendance, and participation is critical to the success of the program and their development.

The fall season officially starts shortly after Labor Day Weekend, with a pre-season camp  towards the end of August. Teams often start their team practice sessions late August after the team camp. The Fall Season runs for 10 weeks from that point and usually finishes early November.

The spring season starts early March and wraps up right around the beginning of June. Depending on the age and the level a team competes at this may be extended into June.

The Winter is an optional piece that many teams choose to sign up for. This is organized independently via the team's coach.
INCOMING U9s (2016)

The travel program of CU starts at U9. This means that interested players can take part in our U8 Academy this coming spring.

Anyone who wants to be considered for a travel team should attempt to take part in this U8 Academy Program. This is the best way to be assessed / considered for a U9 travel team for the Fall. However, taking part does not guarantee anyone a place on a travel team for the year ahead and is not a requirement.

Dates/program info for the U8 academy/pre travel program are out. Check out the link below for more information and to work out how to register:

The 2016 age group will have a specific tryout week for those players not registered for the Academy program.

U8 Academy Program Details

https://chathamunitedsoccer.org/programs/chatham-united-academy/

INCOMING U10s (2015) - U15s (2010)

 

Current Travel players

All 2010-2015 travel players have been evaluated by their respective travel coaches throughout the season. Those evaluations, in addition to the 2-tryout sessions, will help determine placement for the 2024-25 season. Player performance and development throughout the spring season will come into consideration as well.

Non-Travel players

Anyone currently NOT in the CU travel program but interested in this program should register for tryouts. Additionally players can take part in a couple of practices with an existing team. This will help the CU coaching staff determine where someone may fit in.

Please contact Tom Worthington to schedule additional ID sessions and for further information and questions: tom@twotouchsoccer.com

 

See link below.

https://chathamunitedsoccer.org/programs/chatham-united-travel/2024-travel-registration/