SAC/HC has three levels of travel play:

1. Premier – Teams comprised of the best players in the Club in age groups Under 9 to Under 18, chosen on a tryout basis.  These teams compete at the highest level that their collective player skills will take them.  On a team with 18 players, members of this team would be considered the top 18 players in the club.
2. Classic -   Teams comprised of high quality players in age groups Under 9 to Under 18, chosen on a tryout basis.  These teams compete at the highest level their collective player skills will take them.  On a team of 18 players, members of this team would represent players 19-36 in the Club. NOTE:  If there are sufficient numbers in a particular age group, additional Classic level teams can be formed based on tryout results. During the year players can be moved between the Premier and Classic teams, or between Classic teams, based on additional assessments, team supplemental tryouts and league rules.
3. Select – Teams formed from the Recreational Program in age groups Under 15 to Under 18.  Generally, these players participated in the Recreational Program through age 14 and want to continue their soccer experience during their high school years at a higher competitive level.  Teams participate in outside travel leagues and sanctioned non-recreational tournaments.

Team placement is based on the player’s age using a fiscal year beginning August 1 and ending July 31st.   Thus a child born on August 15, 1996 is considered a U-12 (Under 12) in seasonal year 2008-2009 and a child born August 15, 1998 is considered a U-10 for the same period. Consult Age Chart for age group of play. 

If authorized by the SAC HC Technical Director, a player can “play up” an age group, but cannot “play down”.  The means that a player born in the U-13 age bracket can play on a U-14 team, but a player born in the U-14 age bracket cannot play on a U-13 team.

THE PROGRAM

Purpose:  Designed for players who wish to develop and compete at the highest individual and team level locally, regionally, nationally and even world-wide.  No amount of game play time is guaranteed.

Tryouts:  Held in May/June for next seasonal year.  Players must attend at least two of the three tryout sessions.  Primary - required each May/June for following seasons (fall and spring); Supplemental – as needed; Complete Application and bring to tryout.

Coaches:   For a complete listing of current boys and girls travel team coaches, click on the following hyperlinks. 

• Boys
• Girls

Practice:  At least 2 times a week, plus team required technical training sessions.

Games:   Travel within MD, VA, DC, PA, DE and WVA depending on the league in which the team is playing.   Teams may also participate in local, regional and national tournaments that will require travel out of the area.   

SAC HC Travel Teams play in a variety of leagues including the Central Maryland Short Sided League (CMSSL); National Capital Soccer League (NCSL); Washington Area Girls Soccer League (WAGS); Baltimore Beltway League (BBSL); Colonial and the Region I League.

Location: Practices on local Howard County fields; Games at Northrop Fields at Covenant Park, Howard Community College Fields or Howard County Public School Fields

Costs: $195 to $225 depending on date of registration. Consult fee schedule for details.Note: Registration is for fall/spring or spring only play. There is no fall only registration.

Additional costs will be incurred by the player’s parents/guardians for a variety of items that may include paid coaches and/or trainers(selected by club technical staff), tournament fees, league fees and other activities (i.e.; facility rentals for practice time, uniforms, coach’s expense reimbursements).  Parents/guardians will also be required to cover the cost of lodging and transportation to and from tournaments.

Detailed information on expected team costs are made available at yearly tryouts (May/June) and any team specific supplemental tryouts. A team treasurer manages team finances in accordance with SAC HC policies.

Uniform: Purchased by parents and may include warm-ups and backpack. Approximate cost per player ranges from $100-$125.

Equipment provided by parents:  U9-U10-U11-U12 size 4 ball; U14-U19 size 5 ball, water bottle, shin guards and soccer cleats.

REGISTRATION

• Proof of SAC HC registration and proof of age is required before a player can be rostered on a Travel Team (Team Manager will communicate specific requirements and deadlines to team).