Foxboro's travel soccer program is an extension of the town recreation league beginning in 3rd grade. Foxboro Soccer is affiliated with Boston Area Youth Soccer (BAYS), a competitive league in which teams from different towns compete on Saturdays. Many towns are nearby to Foxboro (e.g., Mansfield, North Attleboro, Walpole, Wrentham); and some are further away (e.g. Millis, Holliston, Winchester, Acton).
Teams play 10 games per season, 5 home, 5 away. The BAYS website contains more information and provides players the opportunity to track schedules, standings etc...
WHY REGISTER SO EARLY
BAYS is the 2nd largest soccer league in MA. Team placement requests must be made to Bays by the Travel Coordinators in June for the Fall season; January for the Spring season. It is necessary to know who will be playing on the teams in order to try and place the teams in the most competitive section as possible, therefore, registration needs to be done in advance of these dates. Players who register late for travel soccer will be placed on a best faith effort, however, placement is not guaranteed.
TEAM SELECTION
Team selection is done according to age and skill. Teams are formed according to age groupings established by MYSA and these age groups must be adhered to. Travel coordinators will field as many teams as possible, with the intention of keeping roster size reasonable to provide adequate playing time. Certain teams are limited in their roster size according to BAYS policies.
In almost all cases, FSA will be leveling the teams, A, B, C, D etc... However, on occasion, two teams may be balanced at the discretion of the travel coordinator if registration numbers or ability dictates it. Additionally, age groups may need to be combined due to registration numbers. Participants should understand that combined age group teams are always a possibility.
Tryouts are held each spring and coaches' evaluations are done twice per year. Both play a part in establishing Fall & Spring teams. Teams do not necessarily stay intact from season to season as some players do not return and new players register, therefore, team rosters may be changed.
Parents, players & coaches need to understand that an enormous amount of time and effort goes into gathering all the information from tryout results & coaches evaluations to place children on teams of similar ability. In this way they will learn, have the most success and be evenly matched with their competition.
Foxboro Soccer is run by volunteers who devote their time to making the program run for a very large number of children. There will occasionally be a player or parent who feels their child is not placed on the correct team. If you feel this is the case, you are always free to offer your input. Each season there are new evaluations and tryouts which will give them the opportunity to move to a different team.
The travel program has a competitive focus and requires a commitment by players and parents. Allthough, the program also emphasizes fun, skills development, and continued learning of the game. Spring is more competitive than Fall. For example Division 1 & 2 section winners for the U12 & U14 age groups are eligible to compete in the MTOC tournament (Massachusetts Tournament of Champions). Here teams compete against other teams from all soccer leagues in Massachusetts.
PLAYING TIME
All players participating in the program shall play a minimum of one-half (1/2) of each game in which their respective teams compete, provided the coaches of each such team shall not be obligated to provide such minimum playing time to players who do not attend scheduled practices or games, or whose attitude and behavior are in any manner detrimental to the team in which they participate, or who fail to adhere to such reasonable rules and requirements consistent with the purposes of the Association set by their coaches for the team on which they participate.
PRACTICE
Travel teams will typically practice twice per week at the discretion of the coach. Teams may practice one per week. Days and times are set by the coach. Field space is shared.
UNIFORMS
Must be purchased prior to the playing season
Contact
Boys Program Director - Matt Monahan
Girls Program Director - Matt Houston