Travel Program
FC814 offers local soccer players the chance to play in competitive, age-based soccer leagues located in central and western Pennsylvania. Soccer players in age groups beginning at U11 and continuing through high-school-aged teams play in boys/coed and girls leagues organized through PA West http://www.pawest-soccer.org/ which is the state chapter of the U.S. Youth Soccer Association http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/ which is affiliated with the United States Soccer Association.
Eligibility
Fall season is open to any player in the U11 through U13 age groups and the Spring season is open to players in the U11 through U19 age groups. There may occasionally be a separate U10 age group if there are enough qualifying teams. The earliest playing age accepted for the U11 age group is U9. Age group classifications are shown here: Age Group Chart
Age groups are determined by the player's age on January 1 of the year in which play begins. Play runs on a fall-to-spring cycle.
For the season running fall 2022-spring 2023, for example, a player born on July 4, 2010 would play in the Under 13 age group since they are over 12 but under 13 years old on January 1, 2022.
Seasonal Schedule
Open player registration / assessment or tryouts are held on two days at mid-June every year. Certain situations may arise during a season; coaches have the flexibility to add or drop players to the rosters throughout the year with approval from the FC814 Board as per the program policy. Mid-year evaluations may be required under some circumstances (see Tryout Policy). Teams in the U10-U12 U11-U13 age groups typically compete in a Fall Season (early September to early November) and also a Spring Season (April through early June), both of which have approximately 12-10 weeks of training and an 8 week regular game season. Teams may include pre- or post-season tournaments. Some pre-season tournaments start as early as August. Teams in U14 and older age groups typically compete in the Spring Season only.
Expectations
This competitive travel program is for more committed soccer players; players who place soccer as a priority. Players and their families should be willing to commit to SUNDAY GAMES (both home and away throughout Central PA) and to TWO PRACTICES per week and one to two TOURNAMENTS per season. Besides the additional time commitment, there are additional financial costs as well -- uniforms, travel expenses, hotels, tournament fees, etc. Higher-level teams at age groups from U14 and older (occasionally as young as U12) may petition the FC814 Board to declare their team for play in Saturday Classic Division travel leagues which requires travel throughout Western Pennsylvania. Division 5 teams may also declare for Division 4, which is a higher-level Sunday recreational program involving travel to the Pittsburgh area. A team that finishes first or second in the highest bracket of Division 4 can then automatically promote to Classic, with the Board’s endorsement, if they so desire.
Other possible advancement opportunities may become available to certain players for tournament teams, classic teams (which are teams made up of players from multiple local clubs, selected via tryouts), or Olympic development programs.
Our policy regarding players participating in other activities is supportive and understanding, although consideration should be taken with scheduling demands before committing to overlapping activities. FC814 Soccer expects a first priority to all club team practices and games when conflicts arise from all other non-soccer teams or activities or lower level soccer teams (i.e. FC 814 In-House, AYSO). Excessive absences from practices and games can affect playing time and possibly result in a loss of roster status on the team.
Coaching Philosophy
Our coaching philosophy is to strive for the overall long-term development of every player's soccer skills, both individual and team-oriented, maximizing their potential on an individual basis. We emphasize having FUN while learning to love the game of soccer, good sportsmanship, fair play, positive attitudes, respect for others and solid team values. Although most of our objectives remain similar to our overall In-House Program philosophies, differences exist. More emphasis is placed on individual skills development and team tactics. While at both the Division 4 and 5 travel levels each player is required to play in at least 50% of each game, playing time beyond that threshold is not guaranteed due to a higher emphasis on winning as a product of development.
Cost
The cost of the program is $100 per season. U13 and below typically involves two seasons (fall and spring) at $100 apiece. This does not include uniform costs or optional tournaments. The cost becomes due when the player is placed on a team.