This program runs in the spring from late-March to early June and in the fall from mid-August to early November. The NASC U11/U12 Girls' and Boys' Travel Program is for players born in 2012 and 2013 who are interested in playing soccer against teams from other clubs within PAWest. Tryouts are required for Division 4 and Division 5 teams, the top Community Club divisions under PA West Soccer. Tryouts are held in May. The rosters that result remain for the fall season of that calendar year and the spring season of the next calendar year.
Players who do not make a team at tryouts will play in our U11/U12 Division 6 travel league. The D6 program is also appropriate for players who enjoy the game recreationally but can no longer participate in the NASC in-house program and have not tried out. If you wish only to play in the recreational D6 division, you do not need to attend tryouts. NASC no longer hosts an in-house program at this age group because enrollment numbers at this age group do not permit the club to do so. This is a similar trend across all PA West community club programs, which creates the opportunity for our children to play competition of similar ability from other communities.
At U11/U12, opponents are drawn from all of PAWest. This can occasionally include teams from clubs in Erie, Altoona, or West Virginia. However, this program typically includes competition from Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas. Teams in the D5 and D6 divisions are likely to play teams of similar ability from the north district. For example, typical opponents in the less competitive divisions include teams from Hampton, Pine Richland, or Fox Chapel.
Placement on a team will depend on the number of players registered, ability level of those players registered, and availability of appropriately credentialed volunteer coaches. PA West Playing rules at this age group include:
- Travel games that are played on Sundays. Games are typically scheduled between 12pm and 6 pm.
- A season is typically composed of 6-8 games which are split between home and away.
- Teams play a 9 v 9 Player Format (8 + Goalkeeper)
- Players are registered with PA West and require PA West photo identification cards.
- Maximum Roster Size of 14-16 players
- Two 30 minute halves
- Ball Size #4
Practice sessions will incorporate technical and tactical activities. Each session will be 90-120 minutes long. The field location and time schedule changes from season to season. However, practices are held two weeknights per week with a start time between 5:00 and 7:00. Player practice requests for team placement will not be accommodated. For practices, the day of the week will not be determined until a week or two before the start of the season.
Travel Uniform: In this program, players can no longer wear the reversible Gold/White uniform used in recreational play. Travel uniforms consist of a gold jersey, a white jersey, black socks, and black shorts. All players must purchase new jerseys this season UNLESS they have a previously purchased travel jersey. See the Uniforms tab under Registration Info for more details.