Q: What are the Travel Team Program's Goals?
A: The training program is designed to develop both individual and team skills so that players excel in field awareness and individual decision making. The Viking teams compete in a variety of leagues and tournaments to expose the players to a diversity of high level competition. Our philosophy is building skills and then winning.
Q: What is theTravel Team Program?
A: There are two levels of soccer within the Viking Soccer Club:
Recreational is for the majority of players between the ages 5 through 14 - Class IV. The second level is the Travel Team Program for players who want to enhance their level of play. These players are between the ages 10 through 19. The travel teams, which are considered either Class I or III teams, play their regularly scheduled games against other travel teams from other soccer clubs within District II. They also compete in tournaments that are scheduled on either the 3rd or 4th weekend of the month. The fall season typically runs from September through December and the spring season runs from March through June. Team practices begin in July or August. Typically, travel teams play ten league games per season and enters about 3 to 5 tournaments per seasonal year.
Q: Who are the Coaches?
A: The Coaching Staff consists of the following: Head Coach & Assistant Coach(es), per travel team committee approval. Other than the head coach, the staff is made up of parent volunteers who are ultimately responsible for management of personnel, finances, and scheduling, this includes a team manager(s) and treasurer. Head coaches are either long-time coaches with extensive training in this program or are new coaches who have completed licensing requirements or have played in professional/college teams. Currently, the travel team program does not hire a Professional Trainer. Each of our travel soccer teams operates under the guidance of the travel team committee. However, the head coach is responsible for his/her team and decision-making
regarding number of practices per week, the league team will play in and the number of tournaments a team will enter. After the fall season, the coach and team is evaluated by the players, parents and evaluators of the travel team program to insure that (1) their is effective training and (2) our "customers", the player and parents, are satisfied that the coach is doing a good job and that the kids are learning and having fun.
Q: Who can Play on the Travel Team?
A: Any player from the Viking Club, the Viking Youth Soccer League and/or District One who has the desire for competition. There are 4 characteristics when evaluating a potential player for the travel team program:
 CHARACTER - Ethical athletes who personify the ideals of sportsmanship.
ATTITUDE - Athletes with a strong positive desire to play sports.
TALENT AND SKILL - Natural talent and refined skills.
COMMITMENT - Players who are committed to developing their skills. Players who are committed to attending practices and every game and tournament.
REMEMBER: YOUR COMMITMENT IS OUR COMMITMENT - THIS PROGRAM COULD NOT BE MADE POSSIBLE WITHOUT YOUR PARENTAL SUPPORT |
Q: How many RWL teams get to play Abronzino?
A: Each League in District 2 is allowed to send two teams per age+sex group to the District's Class 1 Abronzino playing league. Because RWL is a large league, it is allowed to send 2-4 teams per division. However, RWL requires that enough teams remain in Class 3 in order to field a division for its own playing league. If there are not at least 6 teams left to play in a RWL division, not all teams so requesting can be released to Abronzino.
Q: Which teams get released to Abronzino?
A: The quality of the team as described in the RWL Release form below is the major determining factor in selection for release. The list of released teams must be determined by the RWL board in time for Abronzino scheduling; typically this is around July 1. A club that has two teams in the same-sex age group will get priority consideration for being released to Abronzino. Teams released to Abronzino should be competitive at that level of play. The qualities we inspect are listed in the RWL release form, e.g., your tournament and league records are important factors. Since RWL often has several equally competitive teams within an age group, it is not an absolute requirement that you win your RWL division in order to move up to class 1. You can also submit any additional documentation that helps further your case.
Q: Our team played Abronzino last year but did not do well. Can we enter again?
A: New for Fall-99, Abronzino created a "relegation" rule. Check the Abronzino website for more details. Basically, the rule is that if your team ends up in the bottom two positions of your Abronzino division, it may be suggested that your team not return to the league until you take major steps to improve the quality of your team, or you may be flat-out asked not to be re-released.
Q: Can we register Class 3 and just enter one Class 1 tournament?
A: Not during regular season. A Class 1 team can only play League or Tournament games against other Class 1 teams. If a Class 3 team enters a Class 1 tournament during the Fall season, that team would automatically become a Class 1 team. It would then have to be ejected from its Class 3 playing league, in order to avoid polluting all the other Class 3 teams in its division. (Scrimmages and practice games do not cause pollution.) However, once the regular season is over, pollution is no longer a concern, and Class 3 teams can enter Class 1 tournaments in the post-season, such as State Cup. You will notice that there are virtually no Class 3 CYSA-N tournaments in the post-season, so Class 1 is the only level available. (Note that if you are playing Association Cup, you cannot enter any Class 1 tournaments until Assocation Cup is over for you.) Playing Class 1 in post-season does not mean you have to play Class 1 the following Fall.
Q: How can I register for Class 1 tournaments now, if I don't know for sure we'll be released?
A: This is one of the unfortunate situations in RWL. Ideally, Class 1 status shoud be determined at the end of the Fall season, not the following July, and hopefully with coaches' input, we can make this change for Fall 00. But for this year, teams trying to go Class 1 for the first time will have to suffer this uncertainty.
Q: How do we apply for Abronzino?
A: When you submit your fall registration packet in May, you must include a green Abronzino application form, which can be obtained from the RWL Abronzino rep (see this doc -> ^J for the list ofRWL officials) or which is posted on the Abronzino website. You should also submit a RWL release form is also required (the Fall-99 version is attached below); this form is to be used for all requests to be released to play in any league other than RWL's Class 3 playing league. It is a detailed team resume listing your team's league and tournament records.
Q: How do we know if we're ready for Class I?
A: Coaches and parents should be aware that history is very consistent. If your team is not ready to play Class 1, your team will have a terrible season, losing almost all its games. At the end of the season, it is highly likely your team will disband, because the players will have been exposed to better teams and will seek those teams out. The following list is based on MJ's experience. Other board members and Abronzino parents may give you a different set of indicators. If your team does not meet all of the typical indicators below, it is highly predictable that your team will not last more than 1 -2 seasons in Class I.
MJ's typical indicators of a good Class 1 team are that it:
- can beat Class 3 teams that are a year older
- can beat existing Class 1 teams at its age level
- can beat Class 3 teams in its own age group by significant scores, e.g., 4-5 goal differential
- in class 3 league play, has a significant GF and GA differential (e.g. 48 GF and 10 GA)
- plays soccer year-round
- plays 4-6 tournaments or 40-100 games per year
- has at least 6-7 players of Class 1 caliber
- has 2 or more ODP-level players (to be a competitive, successful class 1 team)
- has a well-organized team manager
- has a core of kids and parents who like each other
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Q: Is ODP a big commitment?
A: Yes, ODP is a big commitment if you are one of the fortunate 20 players chosen. You are expected to participate in 1-3 practice sessions or games per week.
Q: When are ODP practice days and where are the practices held?
A: Each coach selects their own practice days and fields. Fields are at a premium in District I, but coaches try to secure a field which is centrally located whenever possible.
Q: Will participating in ODP conflict with my club team?
A: ODP should not conflict with your club/league team.
Q: Will I receive confirmation that my child is registered ODP?
A: No. Just assume that he or she is.
Q: Should I enclose a copy of my child's birth certificate?
A: No. It is only necessary if your child is selected on a team.For more information go to our ODP page.
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