Easthampton Youth Soccer Association
Travel Program Placements
Each Spring all EYSA soccer players who wish to sign up for the Fall Travel season are required to go through the skills development observation process. All players ranging in age from 8U and above are expected to attend. This process consists of attending two sessions (one minimum) of skills observations where highly qualified personnel and experienced coaches observe players. Placements occur during the first week of June. The goal of this approach is to have all players with teammates who match the same abilities so we can build a program where children can have fun playing with their age groups and develop their soccer skills on the proper team throughout their time in EYSA. Player development is always paramount in our process.
During the two sessions coaches will be looking at the following metrics:
- Physical (fitness, agility, endurance)
- Technical (soccer-focused skills including footwork)
- Tactical (comprehension of the game)
- Psychological (positive attitude, good sportsmanship, team player)
Aside from these, they will take into consideration feedback from coaches, dedication to their team (attendance at practices and games), and level of commitment to their sport.
As our soccer league continues to grow, we continuously commit to providing an excellent soccer experience for all players as well as their families. This process follows a successful formal to reputable soccer leagues both statewide and across the country. EYSA is proud to weave this approach into our own local soccer community. While the process of placements is not always perfect, we confidently support the purpose of this process to achieve more equitable teams across age divisions in our competitive youth soccer program in Easthampton, MA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should my player bring?
All players should wear athletic clothing, shin guards, socks, cleats, and a full water bottle.
*If your child has any medications or an Epi-pen or an inhaler, please send it with them.
How are players placed?
After observations, coordinators meet to determine player placement for the Fall season based on input from June observations and coaches from previous season(s). EYSA aims to place all players within their age group. Ideally, teams are composed of players within the same grade level. For example, the 9U travel team is composed of 3rd graders. We consider the number of overall registration numbers. If we have strong participation, we can create two or three teams per age group. We place players on their respective team according to skill and general attitude with the intention to place equally matched players on each team. This approach enables our Eagles to soar and develop soccer skills and their love for the game at a competitive level from 8U all the way through 14U and when our players go into high school.
What are the different travel program options?
EYSA’s mission is to provide all children in our community with the opportunity to develop their soccer skills alongside peers in their age group within a fun, supportive, and challenging environment. During the Fall season, EYSA offers two travel soccer programs: the Roots Soccer League and the Quabbin League. Both programs emphasize player development and teamwork, with Roots providing a more competitive travel experience and Quabbin offering a more developmental, lower-pressure environment similar to recreational soccer. In the Spring season, EYSA offers only the Roots Soccer League.
How do I prepare my player(s) for skills observations?
Players must be registered for the Fall season in order to participate in the skills observation process. After registering, families should make note of the scheduled observation dates. Before attending, we encourage parents and guardians to talk with their player about the purpose of the process: to help place players in an environment with teammates of similar age and skill level so they can continue to develop and enjoy the game. Whether a player is placed in the Roots or Quabbin program, EYSA is committed to providing a positive, supportive, and fun soccer experience focused on skill development, teamwork, and a love of the game.
We aim for this process to be stress-free. Your involvement in the support of your players' confidence and comfort level is a key part of helping our community achieve being the best league we possibly can be. We set ourselves and our players up for success when we work as a team. Help your player arrive at observations feeling confident and prepared. Remind them that they have already been building their skills throughout the season, and that observation sessions are simply an opportunity to play, have fun, and demonstrate their growth alongside other players in their age group.
On observation days, be sure to drop your player off with adequate nourishment and remind them to come hydrated and well-rested. Skills development sessions will last for about 1 hour. We will supply them with hydration during the process, so as to encourage healthy and hydrated players.
What if my child is not selected for Roots travel?
All players interested in participating in Fall travel soccer must register prior to the June observation sessions. EYSA is committed to providing a positive soccer experience for all players through age 14, and all registered players will have the opportunity to participate in the Quabbin League, which offers a more developmental and less competitive environment. Players placed in Quabbin will continue to build fundamental skills, confidence, teamwork, and a love of the game throughout the season.
What if my child is not able to attend skills days? (Example: due to family travel, illness, injury, etc.)
They will automatically be placed in our Quabbin league. During further review by the travel coordinator, the skills development observation committee, and the Board of Directors- you may be contacted via email to move your player up in age group or to join travel based upon previous knowledge of your player’s skill level, and therefore appropriate placement will be made.
Who does the skills development observation process?
The EYSA Board of Directors works with a small committee to develop the most comprehensive team of professional coaches to perform observations. This team currently consists of highly skilled soccer individuals. Together they have coached at the collegiate level, played professional soccer, are local professional coaches, and professional consultants brought in from local surrounding soccer clubs. The Travel Coordinator works with this team to finalize player placements. Together the team works to use their expertise to meaningfully assess our players skill levels. Using all information available, players are placed with teams that have an equal level of skill.
Others who may be present are:
EYSA Board members who are not currently coaching that age group, or others deemed by the Travel Coordinator to meet the criteria for evaluators as mentioned above.
The Board of Directors will be present on observation days and will be available for any questions or feedback you may have about the process.
Are parents allowed to watch skills development observations?
While skills observations are going on, parents and guardians are expected to not be in attendance. Coaches will require observers to be out of range of sight so as not to add extra pressure to the players during the placement process. We want to give our Eagles the very best environment so they can perform to their optimal ability.