What is TRAVEL SOCCER?
Travel Soccer is the next step after our Recreational program — a more competitive, team-based environment for players ready to advance their skills, play league games, and represent South Huntington SC in Long Island competition.
Moving Up from Recreation
In our club there is no recreational soccer beyond the U8 level – Lower Division. If your child turns 8 by July 31, 2026, they must tryout for Travel to continue playing with South Huntington SC. If your child turns 8 on or after August 1, 2026, they can choose to stay in Recreation one more year or tryout for Travel. Travel starts at the U9 level
What’s Changing for the 2026–27 Season
US Youth Soccer, AYSO, and US Club Soccer are moving away from birth year age groups and adopting a seasonal year system (August 1–July 31). Players born August 1, 2017 or later are eligible for U9 Travel Soccer in Fall 2026. Players born on or before July 31, 2017 will move up to U10 that season. Players born after August 1, 2018 can tryout for Travel (playing up a year), but their true Travel start year would be 2027–28. Players can always play up but never play down an age group. AGE MATRIX HERE!
Should a Player Play Up an Age Group?
Players can always play up but never down. Family decision based on skill levels, maturity, & ability to qualify for a travel team. We encourage playing in appropriate age groups to benefit players long term competitive careers.
How are Travel Teams Picked?
Age appropriate tryouts are held May/June of every year. Players are evaluated by trainers from our club and place on teams based on skill set. There are often several teams per age group. Tryouts will be announced here, and will be announced in the Spring.
Travel Soccer Commitment
Travel teams play both Fall and Spring seasons with the same roster. Tryouts take place in May and June, with registration due by July 1. Practices begin in July/August, and games start the weekend after Labor Day. The Fall season runs through mid-November, Spring season from March to mid-June. Teams often take December off, with optional indoor practices in January and February.
Games & Practices
U9–U13 teams play on Saturdays; U14 and older play on Sundays. Teams practice 2–3 times per week. Some practices may be run by a Team Trainer and some practices may be run by the Coaches. Each Spring, teams compete in the Long Island Cup — a single-elimination tournament running from March through June. Many teams also participate in a local Columbus Day or Memorial Day tournament.
Team Structure
Coaches are volunteer parents. Trainers are optional, paid professionals who may run 1–2 practices each week.
Costs (Approximate | Approximate | Approximate)
Club Fee: $310-$350 (this is for both Fall & Spring seasons)
Team Fee: $50–$300 (varies by team and use of a trainer)
Uniform: $120+
Tournaments: $800–$1,000 total per team (divided among players)
