To The Parents of Travel Team Candidates,

            The Babylon Soccer Club was established to provide a positive soccer experience for our boys and girls.  The early years of our children’s soccer experience are devoted to intramural play with a sprinkling of tournament play.  These years will hopefully provide our children with the necessary soccer skill development and an appreciation for the game.  Beyond the intramural program is the Long Island Junior Travel Program. Any child entering the fourth grade or above is eligible to try-out for the Travel program.

            The Travel year consists of two, ten game seasons.  The fall program usually begins in late August with pre-season training and ends in mid- November.  League games are not played on Columbus Day, but many coaches take this opportunity to play in one of the many tournaments being held in the area.  The winter season usually involves indoor training with numerous indoor tournament experiences throughout the months of December through February.  The spring season runs from March through June.  In addition to the league games, Waldbaum’s Challenge Cup, and State Cup competitions are held. 

Memorial Day is an open weekend, and as in the fall, many coaches use this weekend to enter their team in tournament play.

            The commitment to play on a Travel team should not be taken lightly.  Players are expected to attend practice on a regular basis with the norm being two training sessions per week.  A Travel candidate must be registered with the Babylon Soccer Club before they can register with LIJSL.  This gives our club ample time to determine the number of Travel teams and fill coaching positions.

            The Board of Directors from qualified applicants selects coaches for the Travel program. The selection process examines an applicant’s coaching and playing experience along with his/her coaching certification.  All Travel coaches are encouraged to obtain a coaching certificate offered through the Long Island Junior Soccer League. Information regarding certificates can be obtained by calling the LIJSL office located in Plainview. Our coaches must be willing to further their soccer “education” by attending clinics and training sessions. This commitment will undoubtedly provide our players the best possible soccer experience.  Each interested person must fill out a Travel Coach application form.

            In addition to the commitment of time, the financial obligations exceed that of the intramural program.  The club registration is $100.00 for Travel, which covers league, referee, cup fees, field maintenance, and insurance costs for the fall and spring seasons. Tournament fees, and associated Travel costs vary from team to team and are the

responsibility of the player’s family.  The purchase of a Travel uniform will be necessary which will run anywhere between $70-$100. Teams may also choose to supplement their uniforms with warm-ups, bags and other accessories. Coaches may elect to bring in professional trainers to assist in the development of their players adding to the cost.

            Before opting to Travel, parents and players should be prepared to accept the following conditions:

1.     Selection for the Travel teams is done competitively on a yearly basis. 

2.     Travel rosters are limited to either 12,15 or 18 players depending on age groups.

3.     Games are played on Saturday (except Cup) for U-10, 11, 12; all others move to a Sunday schedule.

4.     In the Intertown program, your child is guaranteed considerable playing time.  There is no guarantee of playing time at the Travel level, although all coaches are encouraged to play all children a reasonable amount of time.

5.     Travel teams will TRAVEL. They will be traveling to western Nassau (U13 or older) and/or eastern Suffolk. 

            The objective of the Travel program is to provide a high level of competition in the setting of a team sport and a high level of competence among our players.  Through this program, we hope to assist children in developing soccer skills, teamwork, sportsmanship and enjoyment of the game. Those who decide not to play Travel will be invited to play in the Intertown league.