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nysl travel
In addition to the NYSL recreation program, NYSL offers a travel program (NYSL Travel). NYSL Travel was started with a few principles in mind.
Opportunity
Give invested young players an opportunity to play soccer at the next competitive level above recreational soccer and offer this opportunity with a cost as low as possible.
Skills development
Improve the overall skill level of players by training of our parent volunteer coaches, use of certified trainers, additional training and playing opportunities and a focus on player skills. We believe all players develop well working hard with proper drills and focus in an environment that supports development.
Fun
It sounds obvious, which might be why so many people forget. Pay-to-Play programs can get focused on revenue and many professional coaches can become focused on building their resume and creating revenue streams or coaching at higher levels. They have different needs and priorities. We prioritize making sure all of our players are having fun learning the game.
Value
For the dedicated coach, player, and parent, NYSL travel represents a fantastic low cost opportunity:
- Spring tournament
- Two practices a week
- A standard 6-7 game regular season
- Possible Scrimmage Matches with other area teams
- Trained Coaches and Staff
- Regularly available free training and player development
The registration fees for NYSL travel are higher than our recreational program and are used to pay the cost of tournament entry fees, league entry fees, certified trainers and coaches, equipment, and facilities (NYSL management is not paid). However, they are still significantly cheaper than most club programs.
Expectations
- Players are expected to complete a full year.
- The spring program is a continuation of the fall program.
- There is no expectation of being a soccer superstar.
- NYSL values commitment and consistency to practice more than inherent talent.
- It is expected that a player will show up to all practices, games, and tournaments.
- Playing time is fair and adequate, but players who attend all practices and games could see a reflection in their playing time.
- It is expected that players will attend tournaments.
- Tournaments are usually Memorial Day Weekend
- Expect to plan for 4 - 6 hours a week for practice and games, plus travel time.
- U11 and up will have playoffs if they qualify.
- Playoffs are normally scheduled for the first weekend in November and the first weekend before school ends in June.
Practices
Practices are held regularly, and players are expected to attend regularly.
- Twice a week starting in:
- Fall - late August
- Spring - mid April
- Some teams will have voluntary practices:
- In the winter
Practice is run by coaches, and may be supplemented by Professional Trainers.
Additional, preseason practices, clinics, trainings, and other team development events may also occur.
Season Play
The league year consists of both a Fall and Spring soccer season and a Winter futsal season. It is expected that players will play in all seasons. Maintaining consistent teams throughout the season gives players a chance to gel and learn as a team together.
Travel teams will compete within the New Hampshire Soccer League (NHSL), under the New Hampshire Soccer Association (NHSA) and will follow the rules of US Youth Soccer, including grade year age matrix adopted for the 2026-2027 player year. They will also participate in winter futsal through FutsalNH.
Each season will consist of regular season games, playoffs if they qualify for the competitive divisions, and a tournament in the spring. Tournaments take place on Memorial Day unless a team agrees, with the travel directors and club leadership to enter in a different weekend tournament. Half of the regular season games are played in Nashua and half are away. Playoffs are normally scheduled for the first weekend in November and the first weekend before school ends in June.
Most of our opponents are from nearby towns within an hour drive, but there is the potential to play against teams further away.
Competitiveness
NYSL Travel operates in the New Hampshire Soccer League - https://soccernh.com/nh-soccer-league/.
Teams will play other teams of like ability, closely gauged by coaches and travel directors, with the ultimate division decision made by the NHSL seeding committee. Throughout the season, you may meet teams from NH Clubs, such as Hampshire United, as well as local towns, such as Bedford and Merrimack.
Teams are encouraged to work together to develop, while maintaining the fun atmosphere. Again, NYSL believes good practice is not expensive, and a fun environment will encourage kids to develop further. As teams develop, they are evaluated and changes are made between seasons.
Most lower age groups maintain 2 or 3 teams, operating at different division levels. As players do not develop at the same pace, children may move between levels at coach's approval, so that every child has a place to play that fits their abilities. Older age groups may only maintain a single team, depending on how many players are available.
Coaching Staff
In order for our travel teams to compete at the next competitive level, our coaches have earned or are working to earn licenses through U.S Youth Soccer and Nashua United will supplement their practices with training from professional trainers.
General Information
You will see cost is a repeating element in the focus of our program. This program was founded on the idea that parents shouldn't need to pay $2,000.00 to $4,000.00 annually for their child to play soccer and develop skills. We read the literature and spoke with professionals to understand what was important to player development. It is about practice.
The more good practices a player has, the more they develop. Good practices require new ideas/skills to broaden a player's breadth of ability and repetition to develop muscle memory to execute skills on the field with the briefest of thoughts. Good practices require a good environment - teammates and coaches focused on getting the most out of each practice. Talented teammates who can challenge each other in practice to push each other to improve. Nothing about good practices requires money.
Due to the higher competitive level of the travel program compared to recreational soccer, players are evaluated during a try-out and assigned to a team based on skill level, attitude, and potential team chemistry. Unfortunately, not all players will be assigned to a travel team. Chemistry and attitude can be more important than skill.
Good practices require a good environment and one bad attitude can upset a good environment. Players who make practices more difficult either with disruptive or disinterested attitudes may be asked to leave during or after a season. We do our best to make space for everyone we can. We encourage those players that are not assigned to a travel team to continue to participate with the rec program and take advantage of training sessions and clinics offered by NYSL.
Like all programs of NYSL, the travel program is run by volunteers. If you are interested in assisting NYSL in the travel program, please reach out to Director of Travel and/or assistant Director of Travel. They can be contacted via this website's Staff page.
