About the Pre-Travel Development Program
The pre-travel development program is an important developmental stage for young participants in soccer. Beginning at 7 years old (U8) participants are eligbile to join a club-team. Club teams participate in age, gender and skill appropriate competitions such as the South Jersey Boys Soccer League and the South Jersey Girls Soccer League. This is commonly referred to as "Travel" soccer because games are played against other club teams in the south jersey area. The goal of the pre-travel development program is to prepare participants for trying-out for and joining an HYSC club team that will be formed for their age group in the next seasonal year.
The pre-travel program is designed to continue individual and fundamental skill growth while beginning to expand the concept of play beyond the individual player. The program continues to foster involvement of all players and as much opportunity for as many "touches" or activity with/near the ball as possible. Similar to the micro and junior development programs, teams are constructed to make sure participants can play as much as possible and so team sizes are intentionally limited to facilitate maximum playing time and adequate breaks. Training continues to stress growth with fundamental ball skills such as dribbling, passing, and reciving the ball but will also emphasize competative aspects of play such as challenging the ball and creating space. The field boundaries and restarts that were first introduced at the junior development level are more ridigly enforced so that the play begins to more closely resemble the full-sided game.
Games are played on Sundays with start times varying between Noon and 4 PM. Games are typically 40 minutes for this age groups. All games are "small sided" or played on age appropriate field sizes.
Age Groups
The program is comprised of co-ed teams of boys and girls born in 2015 and potentially those born in 2016 that are advanced for their age.
Schedule
The season is 8 in-house games played on Sundays beginning on September 12, ranging in start times from 12:00 - 3:30PM. Practices/training sessions are typically held on Mondays and Fridays in the evenings, though depending on state mandates and limits related to outdoor activity size, the number or duration of training sessions may be reduced. Practice schedules by age group are communicated prior to the season start date. All games and practices will be held at Gloucester Township Community Park on Hickstown Rd.
View the In-house program schedules >
Cost
For age groups from U4-U7 our in-house program fee is $95 and covers a uniform tee, an appropriate sized ball, and sling bag as well as individual participation gift trophy. Training curriculum and sessions led by youth trainers is also covered in the registration cost.
Registration
Registration typically begins in July (for the Fall season) and January (for the Spring Season). To enroll for the intramural program you must register using our online registration system. New users should follow the online regitration insturctions. Available programs will be displayed for each participant added to the account based on their birth year. Select the card for Pre-travel Development Program and complete the registration process online. Once completed an email will be sent to the registered email address confirming the registration. Repeat the process for all participants.
View our registration instructions for in-house programs >
Game Rules
The pre-travel development program provides small-sided game formats with 5 players for each team including a goalie aligned to the United States Youth Soccer recommendations for number of players and field size. Continuing to build on and promote the developmental themes of the micro and junior development program, the pre-travel development program reinforces the concept of the ball being out-of-play and comfortability of participants with restarting play with throw-ins, goal kicks, and corner kicks. In addition, the special role of the goalie is first ued and the on field boundaries such as the goal area and build-out line are introduced. The pre-travel development program continues to maximize the opportunity of participants to touch the ball as much as possible, express their growing skills and ability, and promotes players "challenging" for and "winning" the ball during play.
View the rules and guidelines for pre-travel development program games >