The Travel Team program is available for players looking for a higher level of commitment and competition from third grade through high school. The WYSA Travel Team Program has some distinct differences from our intramural City League program.
Teams in this program are comprised of players of equivalent skill and compete against similar teams from other towns in the ECYSA League. The schedule consists of 8 games per season starting in early September for fall and early April for spring. Teams play four of their ECYSA games in Woburn and four at the opposing teams’ fields. Games are scheduled on Saturdays, although games can be held any day of the week if a make-up is needed.
The WYS fields travel teams for grade 3 through grade 8 for the fall through the spring season (with a winter break) and for grade 9 through grade 12 for the spring season. Teams are based on grade as a primary requirement, with age as a secondary requirement. Grade 4 teams are a combination of 3rd and 4th graders, grade 6 teams are a combination of 5th and 6th graders, grade 8 teams are a combination of 7th and 8th graders, grade 10 teams are a combination of 9th and 10th graders, and grade PG teams are a combination of 11th, 12th and 1st year post graduates.
The number of travel teams in each grade group will vary year to year depending on the number of players and overall skill levels of those who register by our deadlines. Typically we offer a minimum of two travel teams in each level. WYS reserves the right to limit travel teams per age/grade group and gender based on age/grade group enrollment.
Travel Team players are required to follow the below requirements based on the Travel Commitment Agreement:
- Participate in the Fall and Spring.
- Attend the weekly practices and regularly scheduled games.
- Attend all makeup games.
- Participate in winter training or activities that do not conflict with other regularly scheduled games and events.
While standings are kept for both seasons, the fall season is for player and team development, and standings are only for purposes of spring placement. The spring season is the competitive season and all spring season section winners advance to the ECYSA Divisional Playoffs.
For the spring season only, teams placed in Division 1 (MTOC-1) and 2 (MTOC-2) qualify for the ECYSA playoffs for the right to represent ECYSA and WYS at the Massachusetts Tournament of Champions (MTOC) against teams from the other nine town-based leagues in Massachusetts. Teams playing the spring season in Division 3 or 4 (CC-1 or CC-2) can also qualify for the ECYSA playoffs, where they compete against other ECYSA towns in a knock-out style tournament to determine the Divisional Champion.
Teams usually participate in a Columbus Day Tournament during the fall season and a Memorial Day Tournament during the spring season. Players and families should make every effort to participate in these tournaments.
Players are placed on a travel team based on their skill level. A player’s skill level is determined by his or her performance at the tryouts along with an assessment from his or her current coach. No player currently on a travel team is guaranteed a spot on the same team for the following season. Previous placement on a Travel team does not guarantee placement in subsequent years.
The total cost to play on a Grade 4 - 8 Travel team is $260.00. The balance is due to be paid by September 1st after placement on a Travel team. We do offer a payment plan. The total cost to play on a Grade 10 - PG Travel team is $150.00.
TRAVEL COMMITMENT UNDERSTANDING AGREEMENT
Being selected to play in the WYSA Travel Program should be considered an honor, prevents another player from being selected for the team and comes with an implied level of commitment. Both Player and Parent/Guardian should be aware that by accepting placement on the Travel Team, the commitment will include attendance at practices and games as determined by each team’s coach and must be able to play in the playoffs and be available to play the end of season tournaments.
This commitment also includes an agreement by each player to conduct themselves in a proper manner in regards to respect and sportsmanship to all coaches, players, referees, parents, and spectators at all times while representing WYSA.
WYSA encourages its Players to participate in other outside activities, but in fairness to all programs, the commitment requirements for the Travel Program should be considered before choosing to participate in either this program, as well as in fairness to the other program(s), as only compelling reasons will be considered by the Coach for not meeting the requirements. Compelling excuses for not meeting the requirement are defined as situations, by their nature are beyond the players control, i.e. family obligations, school activities, religious functions, illness, etc. The Coach should be informed of these conflicts as early as possible. If there is a failure to meet the minimum requirements, the player may suffer a loss of playing time, a suspension and or expulsion from the team.
For more information, please email us at [email protected]