The introduction of the Travel Development Academy will certainly raise many questions as this represents a significant change from the past. In order to begin to address some of those questions, please review the following:

Question: My older children played in Mid-New Jersey League when they were U8.  Why can’t my younger child do the same ?  The 8v8 format was just fine so why change it ?

Answer:  The consensus of the world’s leading soccer organizations and clubs is that small-sided soccer is the best developmental environment for younger players. It is also inherently more fun.  Players who participate in small-sided games and far more involved in the game, get many more touches on the ball, which in turn means more fun.  More fun will ensure that more players stay in the game longer. Players who progress through this training environment will be far better prepared when they are older to play at more competitive levels of soccer which demand greater technical abilities.

Question: Why shouldn’t I take my child to another Club where they can play "real" soccer ? 

Answer: This is an option. However, the level of training and technical development you will receive in WWPSA’s Travel Development Academy is likely to match the best training curriculum you may find. The small-sided games and Festival Days will introduce players to the travel experience while avoiding the long drives so common to current U8 league schedules.  Players will also experience a team dynamic by being assigned to a weekend team for the small-sided games.

Question: If they do not participate in small-sided soccer, will our players be prepared for the transition to U9 and U10 travel soccer games ?

Answer: Today, many Travel soccer players do not join the Travel program until the U9 year. However, tactical development at U8 is far less important than technical development.  Tactical awareness and game sense can be taught at older ages whereas many technical skills need to be mastered at the youngest ages or they become very difficult to learn later on.  The transition to U9 travel soccer will not be a problem.

Question:  My child played U8 this year. Should I join the Travel Development Academy next year or will I be able to continue to play in the mid-new Jersey League ?

Answer: WWPSA will host U9 Travel Team tryouts for the 2008-09 year and U9 Travel teams will be formed. New players who prefer to begin their travel experience in the Travel Development Academy, however, will be welcomed there.

Question: Will there be tryouts for the Academy ?

Answer: No.  All age-eligible players will be accepted.