Valley United (Formerly known as Valley AFC Xpress) is Valley AFC’s Travel Program serving boys and girls from U11 through U19 in the Roanoke Valley. The primary focus is to give players an opportunity to develop and play at an advanced level, in a highly competitive yet supportive environment.
The Xpress program utilizes a professional, paid, coaching staff – all of who are licensed by either the USSF or NSCAA.
Xpress coaches are guided by our Director of Soccer who, in conjunction with USSF and VYSA, has implemented a developmental curriculum to ensure that each player can fulfill their potential.
· Seasons of Play:
o U11 through U14 – Fall and spring seasons
o U15 through U19 – Fall season only
· Team Designations:
o As many teams will be fielded in each as group as the talent pool allows.
o Teams in each age group are broken down into three levels:
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Team Level
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Team Color
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Commitment Level
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Minimum Number of Tournaments
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Top Team
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Green
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Highest (should be player's primary sport)
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2 - 4
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Second Team
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Black
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Medium
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2 - 3
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Third Team
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White
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Medium
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1 - 2
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·
· Try-outs
o Try-outs are typically conducted during May.
o Not all players will be placed on a team
· Fall Season
o Practice begins around the first week of August.
o Games begin near the end of August.
§ Fall season includes 8 to 10 league games.
· Half of the games will be played at home; the other half will be away day travel games.
o Games are on Saturday or Sunday.
§ Fall season includes one or more two day tournaments.
· Tournaments are typically played over holiday weekends (Saturday/Sunday) such as Labor Day weekend.
o Green Team typically plays in 2 to 3 tournaments in the fall season. Tournaments are not set year to year, but in the past have been played in Williamsburg, Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Lynchburg.
o Black & White Teams typically play in 1 to 2 tournaments in the fall season. Tournaments are not set year to year, but in the past have been played in Roanoke, Richmond, Martinsville and Lynchburg.
o Games end around mid-November.
· Winter
o Indoor soccer is also available at an additional cost.
· Spring Season
o Practice begins around the first weekend in March.
o Games begin around the second week in March.
§ Spring season includes 8 to 10 league games.
· Half of the games will be played at home; the other half will be away day travel games.
o Games are on Saturday or Sunday.
§ Spring season includes one or more two day tournaments.
· Tournaments are typically played over holiday weekends (Saturday/Sunday) such as Memorial Day weekend.
o Green Team typically plays in 1 to 2 tournaments in the spring season. Tournaments are not set year to year, but in the past have been played in Williamsburg, Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Lynchburg.
o Black & White Teams typically play in 1 to 2 tournaments in the spring season.
o Games end Memorial Day weekend.
· Summer
o Opportunities for additional training and camps are available at an additional cost during the summer but are not required.
· Time & Travel Commitment
o Practice
§ Frequency:
· In Season – 2 days per week
o Technical and goalkeeper training is available in addition to twice weekly team practices.
§ Locations:
· Practice locations will be determined prior to the beginning of each season. Fields commonly used are:
o Merriman Soccer Complex (6657 Merriman Road, Roanoke)
o VA Fields (1970 Roanoke Blvd, Salem)
o Valley AFC Complex (Progress Drive SE, Roanoke)
o Vinyard I (150 Berkley Road NE, Vinton)
o Xpedx (1885 Apperson Drive, Salem)
o Games
§ Frequency:
· During the season, games will be held on most weekends.
o Games are held on Saturday or Sunday. Occasionally due to scheduling issues, there may be games scheduled on both Saturday and Sunday of a given weekend.
§ Tournaments typically require you travel to the tournament location on Friday so that your child will be present and ready to start playing first thing Saturday morning.
§ Tournaments can run into early Sunday evening if your team makes the later stages.
· Financial commitment
o Participation fee -2019-20 fees are TBD
§ Paid once per year.
§ Includes fall and spring season.
§ Covers league fees and professional coach.
o Uniform Fee
§ Paid when new uniform is required
§ Includes 2 jerseys, 1 pair of shorts, 2 pair of socks, and 1 practice jersey.
· Additional practice jerseys are $15.
· Practice jerseys are required during practice.
o Tournament fees – Amount varies ($100 per tournament is a good approximation)
§ The cost to enter each tournament is split between all players.
· Players must pay their share of the tournament fees even if they are unable to attend the tournament.
o Travel expenses for coach – Amount varies
§ When these are paid is determined by the team manager and/or coach.
§ Includes:
· Mileage for all away games including tournaments.
· Meals during tournaments.
· Hotel during tournaments.
o Other costs to take into consideration but not paid to Valley AFC are:
§ Personal travel expenses to tournaments and away games.
§ Equipment such as a ball, shin guards, goalie gear (if applicable), etc.
· Financial Assistance
o Valley AFC participates in the Kroger Community Rewards program which provides a great way for families to raise money to help offset soccer fees.
§ Families can earn 4% of all purchases made at Kroger. Valley AFC receives 1%.
§ Additional information on the Valley AFC/Kroger Community Rewards can be found on the Valley AFC website.
§ If your family is new to Valley AFC and are certain you will be participating in the upcoming year, it would be a great idea to go ahead and get signed up for the Kroger Community Rewards program. This will allow you to be ahead of the game and already have some funds in place to assist with the first year’s fees.