Traveling Team Info

RICE LAKE SOCCER ASSOCIATION
U12 AND U14 GIRLS AND BOYS TRAVELING TEAMS
(Developing players for the next level of soccer)

The Traveling teams provide a developmental structure offering the players the opportunity to train, play and experience a more competitive level of soccer. The focus of the U12 and U14 teams is to foster the love of playing the game as well as focusing on individual player development and preparing your child for possible high school soccer.

We don’t want to travel and would rather just play kids in the area.
Without the ability to play teams from others areas your child would have no one to play games against. At the U12 and U14 level internally we may have one or two teams at each level. In order to have games to play, we must be able to travel to surrounding areas. The schedule provides a balance of games that are home and away much the same as a school sports schedule at the middle and high school levels. Teams work successfully to make transportation arrangements so that no child is left out if he/she is unable to schedule a ride to get to a game.

When are the games?
Games are usually played on Saturday’s throughout the season. A master schedule is developed and followed as closely as possible. Each team is provided with a schedule and as a club we work very hard to let you know what that schedule will be as early as we can. Each of the games that your child plays will follow WYSA youth rules governing substitutions, penalties, game length and team rosters. Typically all games include three paid referees: a center referee and two line referees.

What will I need to provide for my child?
Your child will need to have a ride to and from practice two nights a week. Additionally there will be games on Saturday’s with one or two tournaments scheduled in addition to the regular scheduled games. Tournaments provide an opportunity to stay overnight but are not required as most are within 150 miles of Rice Lake. Your child will be provided with a uniform which you will be responsible for returning to your team manager at the end of the season. The only way we can continue to do this, is by you returning the uniform in the shape you received it. Uniforms are to be worn only for games!! The only other equipment needs are cleats (optional), shin pads, and socks which can be purchased from the club. At the U12 and U14 level the team’s socks need to match.

Why do we play in tournaments/jamborees?
Tournaments provide an outlet to travel and are an important way to test a team’s skills against a wider set of opponents. Coaches can use tournaments as a way of establishing goals for the season (e.g. a team builds up all season using regular season games to prepare for the tournament.) Our club hosts a jamboree providing a balance of travel and home. Historically our association has participated in tournaments/jamborees in the Hayward, Ashland/Bayfield and the Minneapolis St Paul suburb areas.

If you have questions feel free to contact anyone from the Rice Lake Soccer Association.