Harleysville FC Travel/Premier
Mission Statement:
Harleysville FC Travel/Premier is a Regional Competitive Soccer Program. Our goal is to have all teams compete at the highest level possible within the DELCO and PAGS soccer leagues. Harleysville FC offers year round soccer opportunities to accelerate the development of youth players. Through high caliber coaching and training, developmental academies, competitive tournaments and State Competition we will develop the skills and character of our young players through soccer.
Tryouts and Player Selection:
Harleysville FC Travel/Premier is a Regional and Competitive Soccer Program meant to compete at the highest possible level. Tryouts are competitive and player selection is at the discretion of the Head Coach /Age Group Coordinator; with the input of the HFC Training Staff, Director of Coaching (DOC) and Director of Training (DOT).
Selection is based upon a number of factors including but not limited to: Tactical Skills, Technical Skills, Physical Skills and Player Attitude. Younger and Intermediate age groups (U8-U14) hold tryouts once a year while Older age groups (U15 and above) may have open tryouts throughout the year.
Age Appropriate Play:
Harleysville FC supports a policy of age appropriate play in our youth soccer program. In general, age appropriate play is in the best interest of the club and the player.
- Overall youth development occurs at different rates for players, especially at younger ages. Age appropriate play is in the best interest of all players within an age group to develop.
- Individual development tends to be variable, especially at the younger ages, with periods of accelerated development and periods of plateau. Early developers are often caught by their peers OR over time are unable to keep up with older age groups. Age appropriate play allows team stability as well as a consistent environment over time for individual players.
- Exceptions to this policy should be rare and need the approval of the Director of Travel with the input of both coaches, Director of Coaching (DOC) and Director of Training (DOT). Considerations for exception include but are not limited to:
- Player would be in the top 1/3 of the older age group
- Player is at an age where development trajectory is more predictable (Generally U12 and above) and expects to remain at that older age group permanently
- Player would remain within academic peer group. Younger age group caused by birthday cut-offs
- Specific coaching or trainer situations (i.e. parent coaching a specific team, or player coming to the club for a specific coach or trainer).
Multiple Teams Within An Age Group
Harleysville FC Travel/Premier believes that fielding multiple teams within an Age Group is a significant benefit to both the club and the individual players. Many players seeking the travel experience develop at different rates. Having 2nd Flight and even 3rd Flight teams within an Age Group allows players to develop with “like” competition and get increased playing time. Many players on 2nd Flight Teams at younger ages move up to Top or 1st Flight Teams at older ages because they gained confidence and in game touches which allowed them to develop at their own pace. The club benefits by having a larger pool of players at the travel level involved in soccer.
As a Regional Competitive Travel/Premier Soccer program, our goal is to have our “Top or 1st Flight Team” be the most competitive and compete at the highest level possible. Selections to the Top Flight are made based upon that player’s current skill level.
Second (or 3rd) Flight teams should compete at an appropriate level to challenge their skill set and aid in the overall development of the team.
Final Selections for all players made within an Age Group are up to the “Top or 1st Flight” Head Coach, with the input of the DOC, DOT and HFC training staff.
Playing Time:
The amount of individual in game playing time is at the discretion of the head coach. It is based upon a number of variables such as Age Level, Event type, game situation and individual performance/effort during practices. The majority of player development is expected to come during both team and individual practice.
Age Level is an important consideration for In-game playing time and the following are “General Recommendations” for coaches to consider over the course of a season.
U8-U10: ~Equal playing time
U11-U13: ~25% playing time
U14+: No Expectation
As a Regional Competitive Soccer program equal playing time per game should not be expected. There are other Harleysville FC club offerings such as Intramural and Select that are less competitive and provide more equal playing time.
