Garden City Centennial Soccer Club Travel Program 

The Garden City Centennials Travel Program offers a more advanced level of soccer for players aged 8 to 19.

 

FAQs

 

How are players selected to a travel team?
Tryouts are held for each age group starting in late May/early June, prior to the end of the school year. All age groups are based on birth year, not school grade.

 

Tryout dates are posted on our website, our social media pages (FB and Twitter) and published in the Garden City News in May.

 

New U9 and U10 teams (typically those finishing 2nd and 3rd grade, respectively, or those who are age eligible) will undergo a two day tryout during which individual performances will be tested through passing, shooting and dribbling drills, and small/full sided games.  Teams will be selected by outside, independent evaluators and select members of the Centennials Travel Committee. 

All travel teams are required to tryout on an annual basis with the full understanding that no spot on any team is guaranteed. The Garden City Centennial Soccer Club allows for player movement to ensure competitive teams and to reward individual player growth.

 

For current U10 through U12 teams trying out for the fall season, players will be evaluated and selected by independent evaluators (including team trainers) during the tryouts with in-season input provided by team coaches and trainers. Input on returning players would include feedback related to soccer abilities, participation, sportsmanship, and commitment level.  

How are the travel coaches selected?
Travel coach candidates will be solicited in early April on our website, social media pages and through advertisements placed in the Garden City News.  Interested coaching candidates will be directed to request an application from the Travel Committee. The Travel Committee interviews candidates in late April/early May and makes its recommendations to the Board of Directors at the May directors' meeting. The Board of Directors then votes to approve the coaches as presented by the Travel Committee. All travel coaches are required to obtain at least the 4 X 4 Diploma Class License from the Long Island Junior Soccer League. 

How is playing time for each child determined?
For U9 and U10, playing time is more evenly distributed. The philosophy at this level is to 1) develop the young soccer player's technical skills, 2) increase the understanding and employment of team tactics, and 3) make the team experience fun.

 

At the U11 level and beyond, the game understandably becomes more competitive. While we still stress the preceding principles, playing time will be more at the discretion of the coach.  Decisions will be based upon the player "earning" time through exhibiting work ethic and skill in practice and games, as well as attendance at team practices, games and tournaments. 

What commitment is involved?
Teams practice twice a week during the season. League and Cup games are played on Saturday or Sunday, depending on the age group, against teams throughout Nassau and Suffolk, as well as Queens. The regular season lasts 8-10 weeks. Teams usually enter tournaments, which are often held on holiday weekends.

 

All U10 through U12 teams are required to participate in a Connecticut Columbus Day Weekend tournament and are encouraged to participate in a Memorial Day Weekend tournament.  The new U9 and U10 A-level teams selected this June will also be required to participate in a Memorial Day Weekend tournament.

 

Preseason practices may begin in late July, and again in January.

 

Selection to a travel team and ensuring an enjoyable and successful travel program for everyone requires a commitment by parents, coaches, volunteers and players.  Selection of travel teams is based on tryouts and a strong commitment to attendance is expected for practices, games and tournaments. Please keep this in mind when determining if your child will try out.

NEW – U9 Boys and U9 Girls Travel Team

Commencing with the Fall 2019 season, we will begin offering full travel soccer for U9 players (players born in 2011).

 

As with our U10 teams which are formed each spring, these U9 teams will be coached by those who apply and interview with the Centennials Travel Committee and are approved by the Centennials Board of Directors. 

 

Tryouts for the Fall 2019 U9 Boys and U9 Girls teams will take place in late May. We currently expect to create at least two boys and two girls teams, depending on turnout.  These teams will begin practicing in mid-August and have two practices per week with games on weekends.

 

Teams will also participate in holiday weekend tournaments such as Columbus Day weekend and Memorial Day weekend tournaments.

 

New U9 Boys and Girls Travel Teams – Additional FAQs

As a follow up to our prior announcement, we want to reiterate that the U9 travel teams will be incorporated into and will be a part of our travel program for our current U10 through U19 players.  For some additional clarification:

Storm or One Goal Trainers?

As part of the Centennials Travel Program, the U9 teams will be trained by One Goal Sport trainers, like all of our other travel age groups.

Does my child also have to play GC intramural soccer?

No.  In fact, as a travel player, your son or daughter is not permitted to play in the intramural program.

Will there still be a 3rd grade Centennial Intramural Program?

Yes.  We fully intend to continue the 3rd grade program for boys and girls who are not yet ready to make the jump to the travel program or simply do not want to at this time.

How many travel teams will be formed? 

We anticipate that there will be at least two boys and two girls teams.  However, this may change depending on the turnout for the tryout. 

If my son or daughter does not try out for or make a U9 team, can he/she tryout for a U10 team?

Absolutely!  In fact, we encourage children to try out for a travel team whenever they feel ready.  We realize and understand that children mature and physically grow at their own pace.  As we have said before, all travel teams are required to tryout on an annual basis with the full understanding that no spot on any team is guaranteed.  Our travel program allows for player movement to ensure not only competitive teams but also to reward individual player growth, whenever it may occur.  Keep in mind that U9/U10 play 7 v 7, U11/12 play 9 v9 and U13 and older play 11 v 11.  At each of these levels, rosters need to expand creating opportunities for new players to join the travel program.  Please encourage your son or daughter to keep playing and keep trying!

Will my son/daughter get those cool white and yellow Centennials jerseys?

Yes!  Your son or daughter will order and receive the full Centennials white, yellow and blue travel uniform kit.  Last name printed on the back of the jersey and everything!!

How do I get more info about the Garden City Centennial Soccer Club and its programs, including the Travel Program?

If you have not already, you can like and follow us on social media to get the most timely info. Facebook: facebook.com/GCCentennials.com

Twitter: twitter.com/GCCentennials.com 

 Also, information is always available at our website:  www.gccentennialsoccer.org.

FREE  WEEKLY - U10-U12 TRAVEL SKILLS CLINICS, Mondays Starting April 8th

The Club sponsors weekly clinics for U10-U12 field players and goalkeepers U10 and up, on Monday's at St. Paul's from 5-6pm.  No registration needed.
April 8, 15, 22, 29
May 6, 13, 20
June 3

Please take advantage of this additional training!