Travel Team Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have to register for two seasons?
The travel program is 1 year (2 seasons). Waltham only has evaluations once per year and needs players and parents to commit to a one year program. The year is defined as the Fall season and the following Spring season. Registration for the Fall season is held the previous Spring and the Spring season Registration is in the Fall. (See the website for dates and fees)

Do I have to live in Waltham?
Not necessarily, You may play for Waltham Youth Soccer if you go to school in Waltham and live in another town, or if you used to play in Waltham and moved away in the middle of the season. However you may only play soccer in one league.

If my child quits soccer, do I get my money back?
Waltham Youth soccer will only give refunds for the following reasons: An injury that occurs PRIOR to the FIRST GAME and keeps the player from playing for the season or a family that moves out of the city or town, in which they live, PRIOR to the FIRST PRACTICE of either the Fall or Spring season. Otherwise, no, you do not get a refund.

How far away do I have to travel and how long does it take to get there?
The travel league's farthest towns from Waltham, include Somerville, Everett, Malden, and Melrose, on 93; Wilmington, Woburn, Reading, and North Reading and Hanscom AFB, on 128; Lincoln, and anything along Route 3 from Burlington, Billerica, Westford and Lowell. All fields are less than 35 minutes from Waltham and most teams meet at a central location and either carpool or travel caravan style to the field. Remember that there are only 5 away games (4 in the fall).

How long are the seasons?
8 weeks in the fall, from early of September to the first weekend in November.
10 weeks in the Spring, from the first weekend in April to the second weekend in June.
There are league championships at the end of the Spring season and the Massachusetts Tournament of Champions (MTOC) in late June. There are no Sunday games (except for U16 division in the Spring) and any games that are missed must be made up either at night or on Sunday. Games are scheduled for Columbus Day Weekend and Memorial Day weekend. Seventy-five percent of these games are played as a make-up prior to the holiday.

What about uniforms?
Currently (204-2005 season only) Waltham Youth Soccer supplies the Travel jerseys and gives them to the players. The Parents are responsible for buying: Solid (no logos, stripes or writing of any kind on them) Red shorts, Solid Red Socks, and cleats. If a player shows up to a game NOT in the proper uniform- THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PLAY!! These are Middlesex League rules. All uniforms are available at Tricon Sports, Waltham St. in Lexington.


Will my child be on his/her friend's team?
No, we will not guarantee children will be placed on the same team as a brother, cousin,
friend, or carpool buddy. We place children on teams according to ability. Therefore the
top group of players will be placed on the first team. The next best group of players will be placed on the second team. And so on until we have created teams for all participants who tried out, met the age requirements, and were of appropriate skill to warrant playing on that particular team.

Can I request a certain coach?

No, coaches will choose their teams according to the player’s ability and what team they are coaching.

Does my child have to “try-out”?

We call them evaluation nights. Waltham hires an outside group of professional coaches and instructors to evaluate the players. These “evaluation nights” are held sometime in May. Each player, in their appropriate age group, is evaluated, against their peers, on their skills in 6 different areas and given an appropriate score in that area.

How are Travel teams selected?

Coaches also evaluate the players throughout the season. In early June, the coaches for the next season, get together and using the scores from the evaluations and the Coaches evaluations, place the kids on the appropriate team for their skill level. The evaluation score is critical in this process and probably makes up 70% of the team placement. This is admittedly, an inexact science, but the goal is to field a “team” that can compete in their Division within the Middlesex League.

My child is currently playing on a travel team, does he/she have to be evaluated?
Yes, players need to be evaluated every year. Players grow and skills change. Also, Teams WILL CHANGE FROM YEAR TO YEAR.

My child is currently on a travel team, will he/she be on the same team next year?
No, no player is guaranteed a position on any team in any division. Your child must be evaluated every year.

Will some kids not make a Travel team?

No, every player who wants to play travel soccer will play. The only exception is if a kid wants to move from the Fall in-town program to a Spring travel team. This can only occur if there is a spot on an appropriate team for that player. (Travel rosters are limited)

What happens if I don't go to the evaluation?
Your child will still play on a travel team, but probably not on one of the top teams. The evaluation process is critical because it puts all the kids on the same field at the same time. This gives the unbiased, professional coaches, a chance to see how the players compare with one another. Also, remember that kids all grow and mature at different rates. Your child might be the star of his/her team this year, but next year other kids might grow or improve more than your child. The goal of the program is to have the kids play at their appropriate skill level against kids of similar skill levels.

It's raining on evaluation night and I'm not sure if it is canceled. I called everyone in the League that I know and no one answers their phones to tell me. What should I do?
Go to the evaluation location. If it is canceled you get home a little while later and maybe a little bit wetter but it is better than the alternative to missing the evaluation. See question regarding missing the evaluation.

What happens if my child is injured and can't go to the evaluations?
Bring the child to the field on the appropriate day and time. The player should sign in with all the other players at the evaluation. Notify the Travel Coordinator on the field of the injury.

What happens if my child is sick on the day of the evaluations?
If possible bring the child to the field on the appropriate day and time. If the child cannot come to the field the parent should come to the field and sign in like all the other players at the evaluation. Notify the Travel Coordinator on the field of the illness.

What happens if I don’t agree with my child’s team placement?

You have two alternatives: take your child out of Waltham Youth Soccer and go play for an independent club team (where you will have to try-out and have no guarantee of making the team) or have your child play that year and have them work on their skills and improve their game. After teams are selected- players will not be moved.

What happens if I cannot afford to pay for two seasons of soccer?
Waltham Youth Soccer has never denied any player the opportunity to play soccer based on the ability of the family to pay the fees. Ask a Waltham Youth Soccer Board member, or call the hotline, for more information.

I still have questions, who do I ask?

Call the hotline, 781-647-0388 or send an e-mail, someone will get back to you.