As we continue
CoachMommyLongIsland’s series about the process for Youth Soccer Tryouts on
Long Island, it is necessary to discuss what options are available for kids on
Long Island who want to play soccer. There
exists on Long Island opportunities for a level of play for every player. The list below is the most common options
available that will hold tryouts. There
are also private Academies and higher level leagues that will not be discussed
at this time as they are not relevant to the majority of the audience. Understanding and determining which level of
soccer is best for your child and family is the first and MOST IMPORTANT
step in the tryout process.
1.
Discuss and decide as a family what level of
commitment will be made by the child (parents and siblings), including finances
and time
As a parent, we must first
realistically decide what we are able to commit to on behalf of our child. Fortunately, Youth Soccer on Long Island
provides us many options which I have tried to summarize below. Use this information and resources to help
determine which program best meets the needs, wants, and abilities of your
family and child. It is important to
have a realistic understanding of your child’s skill level, passion (or lack
of) for soccer, and the time and financial commitment that your child, you, and
the rest of the family are not only willing, but able to make.
a. NPL (US Club), RPL (US Club), Long
Island Junior Soccer (D3-D1 Teams): More
than an alphabet soup, the above acronyms actually represent the current top 3
options for the most competitive level of youth soccer on Long Island. National
Premiere League(NPL), Regional Premiere League (RPL), and D1-D3 of Long Island Junior Soccer
League are where you want to look for a team in your child’s age group if
you want a high level of competition.
Most teams in these leagues are going to include costs of hundreds of
dollars for seasonal league costs, specialized training, tournaments (In and
out of state), and will train and play year-long including summer and winter
training and leagues. Trainings should
be scheduled 3-4 days a week and expect games every weekend. If the team is in more than one league or is
competing in a Cup competition, you can have 2-3 games every weekend. Expect travel many weekends locally(LIJ) or
as far away as Albany, NJ, and CT for regular league play for NPL and RPL. Players looking to take part in this level of
soccer require a certain level of skill in order to earn regular play time on
the team.
b. Interleague, JSS, Long Island Junior
(Divisions 4 and higher): These teams are where we find the majority of
youth soccer players on Long Island. A
team at this level will allow some competition and cost a seasonal league fee
between $100-$200 and monthly training fees of $25-$100. As a player on a team at this level, expect
play more locally and practices 2-3 times a week and at least 1 game every
weekend. Most of these teams will take
part in some Cup competition and tournaments, but will rarely travel out of
state. Teams at this level also allow
for less skilled players, although some level of skill is required. Winter and summer activities will vary by
team.
c. Recreational: This level of soccer is for a player
of any skill level and is mostly run by your local soccer club. The cost will usually be a one-time per season
cost between $50-$150. At this level, the teams will practice 1-2
times a week. Recently, some clubs have
gotten away from a league style of play at this level and are running weekly
sessions that include some training time followed by scrimmages. These teams do not attend tournaments and
never travel outside of their home fields.
Unfortunately, most clubs end their recreational program about age
U12-U13. Contact your neighborhood soccer
club for more information. Recreational
teams do not hold or require tryouts.
As a mom who has 2 sons in the sport, as well
as children in other activities in addition to her work and coaching schedules,
I can tell you that it is not easy and you need to have a good support system
to rely upon. In fact, it is always
beneficial to have your child on a team that includes parents that you not only
trust with your child, but whom you can work out carpooling and shared time
responsibilities. It is also important
to not only like your fellow parents, but to be willing to spend large amounts
of time with these other parents, especially if you are looking to join a more
competitive team.
Please comment below on personal
experiences or with any questions you may have.
It is important to understand these different options available to you
and your child PRIOR to making a commitment to a team. In the next few days, Coach Mommy Long Island
will continue to review the other steps to Youth Soccer Tryouts on Long Island.
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