Q. What is the skill requirement in order for my child to play travel soccer?

A. Because FTSC Travel is a competitive program, players must have a strong understanding of soccer and should have experience playing soccer in a competitive or recreational level. Your child should possess the basic skills of soccer and should possess a strong desire to be trained in order to gain the skills necessary to play at a competitive level.

Q. What type of commitment is expected from travel soccer?

A. The commitment to a travel soccer team is more extensive than that required of a child who plays on a recreational team. Travel soccer is a two-season commitment with games being played in the fall and the spring. On average, practices are held twice a week with games scheduled for Sundays, normally from around 11:30am to approximately 6:00pm. Some away games may require travel of up to an hour. In addition, there might be some make-up games on Saturdays or even during the week, but these are not the norm.
Finally, in a typical season, teams enter one or two tournaments per year.

Q. What are the benefits of having my child play travel soccer?

A. Your child will have the opportunity to play against teams affiliated with Mid-New Jersey Youth Soccer Association (MNJYSA). MNJYSA has over 80 clubs, 900 teams and more than 12,000 players. The soccer game is played according to the FIFA Laws of the Game. FTSC offers licensed coaches, professional trainers, commitment to individual players, and a fun and highly competitive environment.

Q. How long is the season and how many games are usually played?

A. The full season would be Fall and Spring, 10 games long each. The Fall season is typically from mid-September thru the end of November. The Spring season begins mid-March end ends early to mid-June. Of the 10 games that are supposed to be played during each season, half the games are played at home (Sampson G. Smith School Fields) and half away.

Q. What is the cost associated with travel soccer?

A. The cost associated with Travel Soccer includes the cost of registration with MNJYSA and NJYS (which includes supplemental accident insurance for the players), referee fees, professional trainer (10 sessions per season, including the facility), two tournaments per year (one being MNJYSA's Soccerama), along with some team-related equipment. The fee is $310 per year. This fee does not include uniforms. The cost of a full standard uniform kit is not included and is approximately $75.

Q. How do I know which age group my child belongs to?

A. The age groups are designated as U-8 through U-19. The cut-off date for each age group is July 31st of the current year before the Fall season starts. For example, if your child is 7 years old by July 31st of the current year, then he/she will be eligible for the U-8 Age Group starting in the Fall. The same will be true if your child turns 8 starting August 1st or later. However, if your child turns 8 by July 31st, he/she will need to play in the U-9 Age Group. If you'd like, you can consult the NJYS Age Group tables to make sure you have the correct division for your child.

Q. How do I get started?

A. After you have figured out your child's appropriate age group/division, your child will need to tryout for a team. If you missed tryouts, you must contact the team coaches listed in this website for your child's age group. The coach will advise you of any open positions and what you will need to do in order to tryout for the team. If your child makes it to the team, you will need to complete all of the registration documents required (go to the Registration page link) and you must pay all upfront costs prior to the beginning of the new season.

Go to the tryouts and teams pages for more information and to find a team and coach in the appropriate age group for your child.