For U09 through U18 players and their families who are interested in a higher level of competition and an opportunity to advance to play at the highest levels of play available, HMMS offers a travel/representative program. Where as the Recreational Program focuses on intra-club competition within Hampden, Middlesex, Monroe and Silver Spring townships, the HMMS Travel Program offers the opportunity for players to test their skills against players and teams from other clubs throughout South Central Pennsylvania. Our travel teams compete within the Central Pennsylvania Youth Soccer League (CPYSL) against approximately 65 regional soccer clubs located within approximately 60 miles of Mechanicsburg, PA. The Fall and Spring CPYSL seasons each consist of eight (8) games. Half of each season’s games are scheduled as home games on local area HMMS fields. HMMS Travel Program game scheduling is done by CPYSL.
Tournaments
All representative teams participate in tournament play. Each team makes their own decision regarding the number and location of the tournaments that they elect to participate in. As a club, we recommend five (5) tournaments a soccer season (Fall and Spring). Usually 3 in the Fall season, starting in August and 2 during the Spring season ending in June. Many of these tournaments are regional tournaments located well within commuting distance of Mechanicsburg, PA, thus negating a requirement for hotel reservations and associated fees. Some teams elect to test their skills by attending a prestigious tournament outside of a reasonable commuting distance from Mechanicsburg, PA. In these circumstances, families would incur additional travel related expenses.
Player Commitment
It should be noted that Travel and/or Eagle FC Premier soccer requires a certain level of commitment from both the player and parent. Practices are generally two (2) times per week with games on either Saturday or Sunday. Regular attendance at games and practice is expected. Players are also often expected to adhere to an off-season conditioning program.
Tryouts
Participation on travel teams is determined by competitive tryouts with only the most talented players being accepted. Age group specific tryouts are conducted on an annual basis each Spring, during the months of April and May, for HMMS travel teams. Schedules for these try-outs are posted to the HMMS web-site and provided in annual registration mailings sent to current HMMS club members. An additional fee is required for participants in these tryouts to cover the cost of a team of independent, professional evaluators. Every effort is made to avoid any conflicts of interest the evaluators may have with the group of players trying out. Each player is assigned a numbered tryout jersey to be worn during the tryout session. Players will be identified by that unique jersey number during the course of the tryout. Players are directed in drills, scrimmages, and speed and agility exercises during the tryout time. Evaluators will base their selections on player skill and athletic ability demonstrated during the tryouts. Results of the player selection process are posted on the HMMS web-site by tryout jersey number.
Number of Teams Within Each Age Group
Based on the number of players attending annual tryouts, the skill level of these players, and our ability to recruit coaches, HMMS may form multiple teams in each age group. The intention of the HMMS Travel Program is for each team, regardless of level, to play teams of a similar competitive level. As such, teams will be assessed for their ability to compete at either the CPYSL Division 1 or CPYSL Division 2 level.
Playing Time
The HMMS 50% Play Rule is in effect. If a player routinely attends scheduled practices and games, they are entitled to play a minimum of 50% of each game. During tournament situations, the 50% play time may be shared across all of the games throughout the tournament [i.e. – a player may receive less than 50% playing time during an individual game. Over the course of a 2 day tournament their cumulative playing time must meet the 50% rule]. NOTE: If a player receives violations in a game or tournament resulting in a player being mandated to sit out the remainder of a game and/or the following game, the 50% play rule does not apply.
Uniforms
Unlike within the HMMS Recreational Program, the HMMS Travel Program requires that players purchase their own uniforms including home and away jerseys, shorts, and socks. This is due to the extra cost of registering HMMS Travel Program teams for their Fall and Spring CPYSL leagues.
Indoor Soccer
HMMS Travel Program teams are expected to train indoors for several weeks during the winter months. Some teams opt to train indoors from the end of the Fall season up until the start of the Spring season. In addition, many teams opt to participate in an indoor league at one or more of the mid-state’s indoor facilities. Furthermore, some teams elect to participate in indoor one-day tournaments. The costs associated with equipment facility rentals, indoor league play, and indoor tournaments are shared between the families of the team members.
Professional Training/Coaching
The HMMS Youth Soccer Association has a number of professional trainers available to work with HMMS Travel Program and Eagle FC Premier teams. Teams desiring the use of a professional trainer and/or coach should coordinate the recruitment through the HMMS Technical Director. Coaches/trainers require Board approval. The services of such professionals, has proven to significantly enhance the skill level of individual players and teams. A decision to utilize the services of a trainer to professionally train and/or coach a team is up to each HMMS Travel Program or Eagle FC Premier team to decide upon. In the past, some teams elect to utilize a trainer on a full-time basis, some elect to utilize a trainer on a part-time basis, and other teams choose to utilize parent-coaches. NOTE – Any Coach, Assistant Coach or Trainer working with players within the HMMS Youth Soccer Association are subject to Board of Director approval and must subject themselves to mandatory background checks.
Costs
Teams may have different costs due to tournament play, league fees and the like. Player costs can differ from team to team depending on the age group, number of players on the team, number of tournaments, and team fundraising.
Fundraising
Many of the HMMS Travel Program and Eagle FC Premier teams elect to offer fundraising opportunities to their families to help to defer the following program related costs:
These fundraisers are optional and may include such activities as product sales, car washes, concession stands, etc..
More Thoughts on Travel
Travel soccer is not for every child. But it is definitely for those children that have the interest, desire and athletic ability to achieve success in sports.
- At the younger age groups we encourage you to play other sports. Soccer just fits in with all the other sports that are vying for your childrens’ interest.
- U09 and U10 are critical ages when travel program decisions should be made. So much is gained through the travel program in the younger years that those not beginning at U9 or U10 may have difficulty catching-up.
- Coach’s soccer knowledge and abilities may be limited within the HMMS Recreational Program.
- Competitive team sports build character, devotion, dedication and strength.
- In the HMMS Recreational Program, the age group teams are organized based primarily on location. The HMMS Travel Program organizes age group teams based on skills and ability.
- Those players that want to play more soccer with players of similar interests and want more advanced training are prime candidates for the travel program.
- Many high school and college teams are chiefly comprised of players who have honed their skills through travel and premier level soccer programs.
- If a child lives and breathes soccer and dreams of playing on a high school or college team, travel or premier is a good investment.
If your son or daughter would rather go to soccer practice than watch television; if your player is tearing up their recreational league, especially if they are faster than most other players on their team and the other teams he or she plays against; if your player is motivated by challenges and competition - then you should have them try our travel or premier soccer programs.
