Overview - Travel Program
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Rye Youth Soccer fields travel teams for players in U9 through U19 age groups. Our teams compete in the Westchester Youth Soccer League (WYSL)--which is comprised of teams from Westchester, the Bronx, and Manhattan--and Elite Development Program (EDP) league.
Our travel teams hold annual evaluations in late May/early June and offer one weekday training session, one Saturday training session, and one Sunday match during 10-week Fall and Spring seasons. New in Spring '26, our teams will also have four pre-season training sessions in the month of March. Many of our teams also participate in tournaments throughout the year. Each travel team is led by a Rye Youth Soccer trainer, volunteer parent head coach, one or two volunteer parent assistant coaches, and a volunteer parent manager. |
Frequently Asked Questions:
When do I re-register for next soccer year if I am the parent of a returning travel player?
· The regular registration period runs from approximately May 15 through June 15. Late registration ($40 fee) begins on June 16 and extends through June 30, after which time registration for returning players is only possible if roster space permits (we need to finalize teams for league registration by the end of June, and at that point we cannot add additional teams).
When do I register for travel soccer if I am the parent of a NEW travel candidate?
· First, visit our Travel Tryouts page to find information about the date, time, and field that your child will be evaluated.
· For 2017 players who are in our Intramural program, look for an email on approximately May 20 from Helen (director of operations) with all the details.
· For 2017 players who are NOT in our Intramural program and therefore not on our email list, reach out to [email protected] for the registration link.
· For 2016 and older players, email Chris Skelton for boys ([email protected]) and Erica Stewart for girls ([email protected]) to let them know that your child would like to attend the evaluation date listed on our Travel Tryouts page. They will provide you with the registration link.
What is the game format?
· U9 and U10 teams play a 7 V 7 format
· U11 and U12 teams play a 9 V 9 format
· U13 and older teams play an 11 V 11 format on a regulation-sized field
How will my child be evaluated for a new U9 team?
We use multiple data points to help us determine the most appropriate placement for our rising U9 players.
•Our Intramural (U8) coaching staff conducts thorough evaluations over the course of the nearly 30 fall and spring sessions during which they work with U8 players. At the end of the fall season and midway through the spring season, all U8 trainers submit player evaluations to our Director of Coaching. Our coaches are asked to take note of player skill, physical abilities, attendance, and engagement in training sessions and games.
•RYS designates an "official evaluation date." For 2017 birth year players who are interested in trying out for travel soccer, Friday, May 30, 2025 and Friday, June 6, 2025 will serve as the primary dates. Children should attend both of those dates in order to receive an official evaluation of their dribbling, passing, striking, and other technical skills. In addition, they will have an opportunity to play in small-sided games. This evaluation will take place in the context of the usual Friday afternoon U8 sessions in order to minimize player anxiety and eliminate disruption to the already busy spring schedule.
•To be eligible for the evaluation, your child must be "registered" for the rising U9 evaluation. On approximately May 20, RYS will send all U8 families a list of steps that you need to take (payment, birth certificate, and other pertinent information indicating your commitment to the process).
How many players make the U9 travel teams?
Each team will have approximately 12 players. RYS will determine the number of new U9 teams each spring by considering the depth of the U8 player pool and calculating the field availability requirements of the league. Families will be notified of team selection decisions by June 30. For the 2025-26 season, we anticipate entering our top boys team and top girls team into EDP and 2-3 additional boys teams and 2-3 additional girls teams into WYSL.
What is new for the 2025-26 Season in the U9 age group?
The top boys team and top girls team in the U9 division will compete in the EDP rather than WYSL. Together with our improved playing facilities and reloaded coaching staff, the enhanced competition will help push our top level teams to greater heights.
Also new: we are adjusting U9 travel training schedules to allow our U9 players the option to get extra soccer by registering for an extra fall and/or spring season of U8/U9 Intramurals.
How does my child try out for an existing U10 or older team?
Similar to how we approach the U9 team formation process, we use multiple data points to help us determine the most appropriate placement for rising/continuing and new U10 and older players.
•Our trainers--under the direction of our Girls' Director of Travel and Boys' Director of Travel--conduct thorough evaluations over the course of the fall and spring sessions during which they work with our players. At the end of the fall season and midway through the spring season, all trainers submit player evaluations to our Director of Coaching. Our coaches are asked to take note of player skill, physical abilities, attendance, and engagement in training sessions and games.
•In addition, all RYS age groups hold official evaluations in late May or early June. These evaluations are used to further inform player placement decisions for the subsequent fall season. Players who are already on a RYS team will be automatically evaluated. If your child is not currently on a RYS team, visit our Travel Tryouts page and then contact the appropriate director to let them know your child would like to attend the evaluations:
•Director of Coaching and Boys' Director of Travel Chris Skelton ([email protected]) for Boys
•Girls' Director of Travel Erica Stewart ([email protected]) for Girls
What if my child does not make a U9 team?
Our intramural program welcomes all U9 players--including U9 players who don't wish to play travel soccer, U9 players who were not selected for a travel team, and U9 players who do play travel soccer and would like extra soccer programming--to participate for one additional year in our U8/U9 age group.
What if my child does not make a U10 or older team?
In certain age groups, we may be able to take a limited number of players as "practice players" so that they can continue to train, improve, and enjoy the sport. While practice players will not be eligible to participate in games, they will be considered for team placement for the following season. This option is not available in all age groups and is a function of roster size, coach availability, and field space.
What is the process for reshuffling existing travel team rosters?
RYS recognizes that children develop their soccer skills and athletic abilities at different rates. The Directors of Boys' and Girls' Travel reserve the right to make changes to the team mid-season or mid-year if they deem educationally appropriate. Player movement and roster reshuffling takes place after the fall season and after the spring season. Our Boys' and Girls' Directors of Travel will use staff coach evaluations and their own observations to initiate any roster moves after the fall season. Roster moves made after the spring season will be based on observations made throughout the year and performance at late May and early June designated evaluations.
Do you need parent coaches?
Yes, absolutely. We encourage all parents who wish to be assistant or head coaches to let us know by filling out the appropriate information when registering your children for the tryouts. Parents who serve as head coaches are expected to attend all Sunday matches and at least one of the two weekly training sessions. Parents who serve as assistant coaches are expected to attend as many Sunday matches as possible and at least one weekly training session.
What is the RYS Philosophy on Playing Time?
As a community-based youth sports organization, we believe in an "equitable playing time" model. The core principles of this model include:
• Playing time should be fair to the dual goals of fostering player development and promoting healthy team dynamics, with player development the primary consideration during the earlier years and team dynamics an increasingly important consideration as players progress up the pyramid. This equates to "equal" playing time at the Intramural level and "fair" playing time at the Travel level.
• Playing time should reflect attendance and participation at practices, commitment to development as a player, and character/leadership/role on the team.
• Playing time in any particular game can reflect the conditions of that particular game (quality and characteristics of the opponent); performance by a player in training during the week leading up to the game or during the game itself; and a player's demeanor towards teammates, opponents, and referees.
Any questions that arise regarding playing time or other non-injury related issues should be addressed in a respectful and non-confrontational manner no sooner than 24 hours after the conclusion of a match. This "24 hour" rule allows time for "cooling off" and reflection, and it also prevents confrontations between adults on the field in front of children. RYS supports thoughtful, constructive dialogue between parents and coaches outside of this 24-hour window.
· The regular registration period runs from approximately May 15 through June 15. Late registration ($40 fee) begins on June 16 and extends through June 30, after which time registration for returning players is only possible if roster space permits (we need to finalize teams for league registration by the end of June, and at that point we cannot add additional teams).
When do I register for travel soccer if I am the parent of a NEW travel candidate?
· First, visit our Travel Tryouts page to find information about the date, time, and field that your child will be evaluated.
· For 2017 players who are in our Intramural program, look for an email on approximately May 20 from Helen (director of operations) with all the details.
· For 2017 players who are NOT in our Intramural program and therefore not on our email list, reach out to [email protected] for the registration link.
· For 2016 and older players, email Chris Skelton for boys ([email protected]) and Erica Stewart for girls ([email protected]) to let them know that your child would like to attend the evaluation date listed on our Travel Tryouts page. They will provide you with the registration link.
What is the game format?
· U9 and U10 teams play a 7 V 7 format
· U11 and U12 teams play a 9 V 9 format
· U13 and older teams play an 11 V 11 format on a regulation-sized field
How will my child be evaluated for a new U9 team?
We use multiple data points to help us determine the most appropriate placement for our rising U9 players.
•Our Intramural (U8) coaching staff conducts thorough evaluations over the course of the nearly 30 fall and spring sessions during which they work with U8 players. At the end of the fall season and midway through the spring season, all U8 trainers submit player evaluations to our Director of Coaching. Our coaches are asked to take note of player skill, physical abilities, attendance, and engagement in training sessions and games.
•RYS designates an "official evaluation date." For 2017 birth year players who are interested in trying out for travel soccer, Friday, May 30, 2025 and Friday, June 6, 2025 will serve as the primary dates. Children should attend both of those dates in order to receive an official evaluation of their dribbling, passing, striking, and other technical skills. In addition, they will have an opportunity to play in small-sided games. This evaluation will take place in the context of the usual Friday afternoon U8 sessions in order to minimize player anxiety and eliminate disruption to the already busy spring schedule.
•To be eligible for the evaluation, your child must be "registered" for the rising U9 evaluation. On approximately May 20, RYS will send all U8 families a list of steps that you need to take (payment, birth certificate, and other pertinent information indicating your commitment to the process).
How many players make the U9 travel teams?
Each team will have approximately 12 players. RYS will determine the number of new U9 teams each spring by considering the depth of the U8 player pool and calculating the field availability requirements of the league. Families will be notified of team selection decisions by June 30. For the 2025-26 season, we anticipate entering our top boys team and top girls team into EDP and 2-3 additional boys teams and 2-3 additional girls teams into WYSL.
What is new for the 2025-26 Season in the U9 age group?
The top boys team and top girls team in the U9 division will compete in the EDP rather than WYSL. Together with our improved playing facilities and reloaded coaching staff, the enhanced competition will help push our top level teams to greater heights.
Also new: we are adjusting U9 travel training schedules to allow our U9 players the option to get extra soccer by registering for an extra fall and/or spring season of U8/U9 Intramurals.
How does my child try out for an existing U10 or older team?
Similar to how we approach the U9 team formation process, we use multiple data points to help us determine the most appropriate placement for rising/continuing and new U10 and older players.
•Our trainers--under the direction of our Girls' Director of Travel and Boys' Director of Travel--conduct thorough evaluations over the course of the fall and spring sessions during which they work with our players. At the end of the fall season and midway through the spring season, all trainers submit player evaluations to our Director of Coaching. Our coaches are asked to take note of player skill, physical abilities, attendance, and engagement in training sessions and games.
•In addition, all RYS age groups hold official evaluations in late May or early June. These evaluations are used to further inform player placement decisions for the subsequent fall season. Players who are already on a RYS team will be automatically evaluated. If your child is not currently on a RYS team, visit our Travel Tryouts page and then contact the appropriate director to let them know your child would like to attend the evaluations:
•Director of Coaching and Boys' Director of Travel Chris Skelton ([email protected]) for Boys
•Girls' Director of Travel Erica Stewart ([email protected]) for Girls
What if my child does not make a U9 team?
Our intramural program welcomes all U9 players--including U9 players who don't wish to play travel soccer, U9 players who were not selected for a travel team, and U9 players who do play travel soccer and would like extra soccer programming--to participate for one additional year in our U8/U9 age group.
What if my child does not make a U10 or older team?
In certain age groups, we may be able to take a limited number of players as "practice players" so that they can continue to train, improve, and enjoy the sport. While practice players will not be eligible to participate in games, they will be considered for team placement for the following season. This option is not available in all age groups and is a function of roster size, coach availability, and field space.
What is the process for reshuffling existing travel team rosters?
RYS recognizes that children develop their soccer skills and athletic abilities at different rates. The Directors of Boys' and Girls' Travel reserve the right to make changes to the team mid-season or mid-year if they deem educationally appropriate. Player movement and roster reshuffling takes place after the fall season and after the spring season. Our Boys' and Girls' Directors of Travel will use staff coach evaluations and their own observations to initiate any roster moves after the fall season. Roster moves made after the spring season will be based on observations made throughout the year and performance at late May and early June designated evaluations.
Do you need parent coaches?
Yes, absolutely. We encourage all parents who wish to be assistant or head coaches to let us know by filling out the appropriate information when registering your children for the tryouts. Parents who serve as head coaches are expected to attend all Sunday matches and at least one of the two weekly training sessions. Parents who serve as assistant coaches are expected to attend as many Sunday matches as possible and at least one weekly training session.
What is the RYS Philosophy on Playing Time?
As a community-based youth sports organization, we believe in an "equitable playing time" model. The core principles of this model include:
• Playing time should be fair to the dual goals of fostering player development and promoting healthy team dynamics, with player development the primary consideration during the earlier years and team dynamics an increasingly important consideration as players progress up the pyramid. This equates to "equal" playing time at the Intramural level and "fair" playing time at the Travel level.
• Playing time should reflect attendance and participation at practices, commitment to development as a player, and character/leadership/role on the team.
• Playing time in any particular game can reflect the conditions of that particular game (quality and characteristics of the opponent); performance by a player in training during the week leading up to the game or during the game itself; and a player's demeanor towards teammates, opponents, and referees.
Any questions that arise regarding playing time or other non-injury related issues should be addressed in a respectful and non-confrontational manner no sooner than 24 hours after the conclusion of a match. This "24 hour" rule allows time for "cooling off" and reflection, and it also prevents confrontations between adults on the field in front of children. RYS supports thoughtful, constructive dialogue between parents and coaches outside of this 24-hour window.