CSA Travel Program - Division 5
What is the philosophy of the CSA Travel Program?
All of Centre Soccer's Programing is committed to individual player development and is not focused on results of teams. As part of player development it is important that players are challenged in their playing environment and to ensure this happens CSA forms travel teams as needed. We ask our coaches to focus on basic principles of defense and attack in the younger age groups but want to see players develop individual skills that will allow them to be successful in a team environment as they mature.
Our younger age groups (U9-U12) are pooled to let talent develop. At older age groups (U13+) playing 11v11, team competition in appropriate leagues becomes an increasingly important aspect of player development. It is therefore important for teams at the highest level to be formed from an open tryout process and player evaluations to be able to create the most competitive team so that players are competing and training with players of similar ability and commitment.
How do I join a CSA Travel Team?
If you are interested in joining CSA Travel or Classic Soccer, please log-in/register to your CSA account. Then, signup to express interest for "20##-20## CSA Teams" Sign-up is not for a specific team- there is no fee at this step for CSA teams. Teams are formed after the evaluations based on the number of interested players and their ability levels. Once you sign-up, you will be contacted by the coach or CSA official when an open session is offered. All teams have a few open sessions each season for new players. Open tryouts are also posted before they occur. Expressing interest is the most important step and is free.
What Leagues do you play in?
Centre Soccer is the club that represents State College in PAWest. PAWest establishes only one club per community. The PA West leagues Centre Soccer participates in are designed to promote successful teams upward, and qualify interested teams for the National and Region 1 leagues, and National Series tournaments. A Centre Soccer teams start play in Division 5. This league consists of PA West Clubs from our local area.
When and where are games played?
Divisions 4 & 5 are known as Sunday Travel. By rule, these games must occur on Sundays no earlier than noon. A typical season is 7 or 8 games, 3 or 4 home and away games each. CSA's home games are played on premier Fields in State College.
What is the Club Pass?
Coaches in CSA Travel, in consultation with our Technical Director, have the flexibility to move players to matches best suited for the player's development. Our team rosters are somewhat flexible for the season and players can play in other games of an equal or higher play level and/or age if in the opinion of the coaches and Technical Director it is in the best interest of the player. This helps players who have improved during the season and allows players to develop at their own pace. This reflects the philosophy in our Developmental program.
How and When are teams formed?
Travel teams are formed through evaluations with players interested in committing to the CSA Travel Program. We offer open evaluation sessions where players interested in playing in Travel can express interested in being considered, then come to the scheduled open sessions. The end of the spring season is the usual time for forming teams for the fall.
How are coaches selected?
For travel coach requirements, see below. Coaches are selected by our Technical Director, Lisa Cole (USSF "A", NSCAA Premier Licenses). Lisa is the former head coach of the Boston Breakers in the NWSL, and former college Head Coach at the University of Rhode Island, in addition to positions as an assistant to Mark Kirkorian at Florida State, ODP Region I coach, and other positions. Our travel coaching staff has licensing requirements listed below, and we offer opportunities for coach development & education through PAWest, and the NSCAA.
What commitment do it need to make to be on a travel team?
Players on CSA Travel Teams are committing to attend all training and games, regardless of distance, with reasonable absences permitted. Travel teams also may attend tournaments that may require an overnight stay.
CSA Travel Coaches
Centre Soccer is committed to hiring qualified coaches for our travel teams. At times coaches may be qualified parent coaches, but in most cases CSA will begin to hire non-parent Head Coaches. Coaches at this level have been asked to have a minimum of the following qualifications by the Spring of 2014 to continue coaching at this level. Centre Soccer will pay for the coaches education in return for their investment in coaching our players. If you are interested in coaching please contact our Technical Director, Lisa Cole.
U10 - U13 USSF "E" License or NSCAA Level
U13 + USSF "D" License or NSCAA Level 6
For a list of our current coaches click here.