How to Start an Independent Soccer Travel Team in Virginia

1). Raise awareness of your team and host a tryout for your independent soccer travel team. If you are thinking of starting a team, you likely know a handful of players. However, you should publicize your team and host a tryout day. This will give your team depth and allow local players the opportunity to represent their town in a competitive sport. Recruit as many coaches as you can to offer a neutral opinion on which players will best help your team.
2). Register with VYSA in your appropriate age bracket. VYSA requires every adult and coach registered with a youth soccer travel team to fill out a risk management form and submit to a Kidsafe background check. You will be required to pay an annual registration fee and you will receive an ID card you must present on game day before you are allowed to coach the game or even sit on the bench.
3). Secure a location for your independent soccer travel team to practice and play games. Youth soccer travel teams typically practice once or twice per week and also require a location for home games. Middle school and high school athletic facilities are commonly used as youth soccer fields, and contacting the high school athletic department is usually the best way to find out if these fields are available for your soccer travel team. If local parks have a soccer field, contact the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation to obtain a field permit.
4). Get as much help as you can from qualified coaches or enthusiastic volunteers. Running an independent soccer travel team requires a lot of administrative work as well as the on-field coaching responsibilities. Extra sets of eyes and ears are always helpful when managing youth players.
5). Enter your team into leagues and tournaments appropriate to the team members' age and ability. Practice plays a huge role in the development of each player, but only through competition against opposition can your youth soccer players fully reach their potential. Teams that succeed can apply to move up to higher tiers of play. Resources such as gotsoccer.com provide listings of tournaments in Virginia.