Travel soccer programs are designed for those players who are interested in further developing their technical skills and abilities at a higher level of training, with a supportive and consistent team that competes in more competitive leagues. As a member of the Buffalo Western New York Junior Soccer League and Thruway League, Amherst Soccer travel teams can play teams from various communities around WNY. There is a greater level of commitment in time, effort, training and competition for our travel players than those playing in our house league.
TRYOUTS
Tryouts are held each June and July for the following season. Typically held over two sessions, interested players from any town are eligible to tryout for an Amherst Soccer travel team at the appropriate age level according to the new US Soccer Age Matrix FAQs 25-26. More information about our upcoming tryouts and player interest sessions will be posted throughout the year.
ASA coaches and staff constantly assess and evaluate player performance. These ongoing assessments (from current year coaches) will weigh into player placement decisions for the upcoming season. All players, current travel players and new players, are required to attend tryouts to be considered for a place on a team.
PRACTICE
The season for our travel teams typically begins in early November and concludes at the end of July/early August. Teams will begin practicing 2x per week from November until April, and then move outdoors once the fields are ready and weather permitting. Additionally, there may be occasional Technical Sessions run by our Director of Coaching and ASA staff, designed to supplement the technical training of our travel players.
PLAY
We encourage our travel teams to participate in at least one Winter Indoor session, with the most popular being Winter B from January to April, at one of the WNY facilities, such as Lincoln Fieldhouse, SportsPlex, Epic Center, etc. Some teams may choose to play a Winter A session but that is at the decision of the coaches and team.
In the Spring, the teams will move outdoors in preparation for the travel leagues. Those teams that are playing in the Buffalo Western New York Junior Soccer League (BWNYJSL) will travel to surrounding townships, such as Clarence, East Aurora, Hamburg, Kenmore, Lancaster, Lockport, Orchard Park, Tonawanda, West Seneca, Wilson, and Youngstown, for games that are scheduled on weeknights.
A small number of elevated-skill teams in the Amherst Soccer Association may end up playing in the Thruway League, the only promotion/relegation premier league in New York State West. The decision to register for the Thruway League typically occurs AFTER team formation, based on the collective skill level of the team, coach consultation with the Travel Committee and family willingness to participate. Those teams participating in the Thruway League do involve occasional travel to Binghamton, Ithaca, Rochester or Syracuse areas.
Additionally, the majority of our teams will compete in at least three tournaments per season, including the annual AIM Cup hosted by Amherst Soccer Association, at the selection and decision of the coaches and families. Tournament games are often Saturday and Sunday, with a few playing on Friday evenings. Some of these tournaments may be local and some may require overnight travel depending on location.
COMMITMENT
We are aware that young players are often interested in multiple sports and encourage their participation in various activities. With the proper communication and planning, our coaches are supportive and considerate of players’ interests and activities. Commitment and communication are important to teach children and we expect our parents to be involved in maintaining these character traits. Travel soccer is a substantial time commitment and an investment in player development.
COST
Once a player has accepted their invitation to join a travel team, the ASA Travel Fee is $600 and can be paid at once or in installments. This fee includes:
- Indoor Training 2-3x per week from November – April
- BWNYJSL League and Referee Fees
- NYWYSA Insurance
- Registration for AIM Cup Tournament in June.
Additional Team Fee costs in excess of the ASA Travel Fee above are typically $500 or less, though they may vary on a team by team basis. Examples of potential additional costs include, but are not limited to:
- Travel Uniform Kit and related gear.
- Volunteer Fee if opting out of volunteer requirement for ASA Travel
- Indoor League Registration and associated referee fees.
- Additional Tournament Fees.
- Supplemental technical training sessions.
The coaching staff of each team has discretion to determine the best activities for the level of competition required for the team and will discuss costs and league/tournament participation with the team prior to the start of the season.
VOLUNTEER FEE *New*
ASA requires all families of Travel Players to commit to one volunteer shift per family throughout the season to deliver a high-quality experience for all players. These can be completed by assisting in activities such as the annual AIM Cup, Travel Tryouts, House Uniform Distribution, Summer Camps/Clinics, serving as a House Coach, Travel Team Manager, or Travel Team Treasurer, to name a few options. Our ASA Volunteer Coordinator will contact families throughout the year to provide various opportunities to fulfill your volunteer service commitment.
At registration, families will be charged a one-time travel volunteer fee of $100. Once our Volunteer Coordinator has verified your family’s volunteer service, ASA will process a refund of the $100 travel Volunteer Fee to your player’s original method of payment at registration.
If families do not honor their volunteer service commitment by July 15, 2027, they will not be reimbursed the $100 travel volunteer fee.