TRAVEL SOCCER
About
Virginia Valor FC is one of the highest levels of development environments in the region. Valor provides elite-level coaching, facilities, and competition to its players and teams. Valor has produced teams that have gone on and played at the state, regional, national, collegiate, and professional levels. This program is supported through a pathway created by Chantilly Youth Association (CYA) and Southwestern Youth Association (SYA).
Travel Soccer Overview
Virginia Valor FC’s Travel is a 10-month program with ages starting at U9 (2015 for the 2023 – 2024 season) and runs through U19 (2005 for the 2023 – 2024 season). Below is our seaosnal calendar:
For the 2024-2025 season our U9 age group will be players born in 2016 and our U19 players being born in 2006.
2023-2024 Season Dates:
August 8th Official Fall Start (depending on team, Gold starts first due to early games)
November 21st/25th – Thanksgiving Break OFF
November 28th – December 16th – Reduced Winter Training
December 19th – January 2nd – Holiday Break OFF
January 2nd – February 28th – Reduced Winter Training
March 4th – May 3rd – Spring Training/HS Pool Training
March 25th - March 29th – Spring Break OFF
May 6th – May 17th – Tryouts (reduced training schedule)
May 20th – June 3rd – Last of Spring Training
Tentative 2024-2025 Season Dates:
August 12th Official Fall Start
November 25th-29th – Thanksgiving Break OFF
November 25th – December 13th – Reduced Winter Training
December 13th – January 6th – Holiday Break OFF
January 6th – February 28th – Reduced Winter Training
March 1st – May 5th – Spring Training/HS Pool Training
March 25th – March 29th – Spring Break OFF
May 5th – May 16th – Tryouts (reduced training schedule)
May 19th – June 2nd – Last of Spring Training
What is Travel Soccer?
Travel soccer is for players who are looking for more intensive and development driven training and playing with and against a higher level of competition, and lead by professionally licensed coaches. This means that the level of play is more advanced, and that the level of play and development of the players is expected to exceed that of the players who play recreational soccer. However, it does not mean that our Travel program is focused on winning; the focus is on long-term player development and “FUN”.
What Can You Expect?
U9-U12 Teams
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Fall/Spring - 2 Team Sessions and 1 Travel Academy Session a week (total of 3). The addition of the travel academy, and winter indoor training
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Strength and Performance Program during the season
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Winter - 2 Team Sessions a week and 1 to 2 Weekend Winter Indoor Games (not optional) a week/every other week unless otherwise specified
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Minimum of 2 Tournaments/events for the year (5 max)
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All tryouts in your age group, unless making a change to a new team within Valor and the schedule not allowing you to be at both.
U13-U14 Teams
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Fall/Spring - 3 Team Sessions a week
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Strength and Performance Program (pre or mid season)
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Winter - 2 Team Session a week and 1 Additional Weekend Innovative Player Clinic (IPC) Session
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State Cup recommended Gold level teams/Presidents Cup recommended for White
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Minimum of 2 Tournaments/events for the year (5 max)
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All tryouts in your age group, unless making a change to a new team within Valor and the schedule not allowing you to be at both.
U15-U18 Teams
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Fall - 3 Team Sessions a week
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Strength and Performance Program (pre or mid season)
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Winter - 2 Team Session a week and 1 Additional Weekend Innovative Player Clinic (IPC) Session
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Spring - 2 Team/HS Pool Sessions a week
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State Cup recommended Gold level teams/Presidents Cup recommended for White
-
Minimum of 3 Tournaments/events for the year (5 max)
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All tryouts in your age group, unless making a change to a new team within Valor and the schedule not allowing you to be at both.
What Is Expected of You?
If you make the travel team, your full commitment is expected. That commitment means that you must attend all practices, games, and tournaments during the fall primary soccer season. It will be expected that your parent(s) will facilitate your participation and attend all events relating to games and tournaments with you. Conflicts, such as other sports or social commitments, are expected to be resolved in favor of travel team commitments. We encourage players to also play additional sports outside of the primary fall soccer season, and expect players to honor their commitments to those sports in the winter and spring. Each team will set expectations for off-season play and potential conflicts should be discussed directly with each coach.
In addition to a participation commitment, there is also a financial commitment
Where are Games Played?
Virginia Valor FC teams play in a different League. In our case, Virginia Valor FC teams play in ECNL-RL (Elite Club National League – Regional League), NCSL (National Capitol Soccer league) and Eastern Development Program (EDP). Each league has varying clubs from within the local region. Most games are within the northern Virginia region. In some cases games can be up to two hours away, but this is typically the case once every season or every other season.
Tournaments can be local or may require travel.