Welcome to SCOR Travel/Premier Soccer
If your child lives and breathes soccer, our Travel program offers a dynamic, challenging, and incredibly rewarding environment designed to foster a lifelong love for the game. We provide competitive platforms where young athletes represent the town of Ridgefield, all while building advanced skills, and creating lasting memories
Here’s what you need to know about joining a SCOR Travel team…
What is Travel Soccer?
Travel soccer moves beyond recreational play. It’s where your child competes within an environment that matches their skill level, allowing them to truly test their abilities against other motivated players.
SCOR offers two primary leagues:
- CJSA Travel League: This is our primary travel option, where teams compete in the Southwest District (greater Fairfield County) of the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association (CJSA).
Focus: Strong competitive play representing our club against other nearby Fairfield Country towns. - EDP/Premier League (Select Teams): For highly selective teams seeking an even higher tier of competition, this program offers players the opportunity to further develop their skills while continuing to play with their Ridgefield teammates. It is always SCOR's goal to help Travel team progress to the Premier level when they are developmentally ready. Advancement to Premier is determined on a team-by-team basis, with the Coach and Director of Coach and Development playing the primary role in that decision. Our Premier teams compete in the following EDP Connecticut leagues:
- Focus: Competing against top Connecticut teams for an even higher level of competition through the following EDP CT leagues:
General Program Details:
Is my child ready for the challenge?
Travel soccer requires commitment, skill, and maturity. Your child might be a great fit if they:
- Find immense enjoyment in practices and games and actively look for more playing time.
- Possess a natural aptitude and passion for the game (feel free to ask their current coach for input!).
- Are a true team player, willing to learn various positions and support their teammates.
- Demonstrate resilience - handling both the thrill of victory and the disappointment of a loss with grace.
- Can focus and remain attentive during intensive practices and games.
If you answered "yes" to these, it’s time to consider the Travel program!
What's the commitment?
Joining a travel team is a commitment from both the player and the parent. Consistency is key to development.
Age Group | Practices Per Week |
U9-U11 | 2 sessions (Tues & Thurs) |
U12+ | 3 sessions (Mon, Tues, Thurs) |
Game Day & Travel:
- CJSA Teams: League games are typically held on Sunday afternoons. Half of the games are played locally, while the other half involve travel to other towns within Fairfield County.
- EDP/Premier teams: Games can be held on either Saturday or Sundays and vary week to week. These teams may travel beyond Fairfield Country.
Tournaments & Cups:
- Tournaments: Each team budgets for one tournament per season, often held over holiday weekends.
- SCOR Fall Classic: Every fall SCOR hosts the Fall Classic Tournament over Columbus/Indiginous Peoples Day Weekend. This is a massive event for our town, and we rely on the energy of our travel families to make it as success. All SCOR travel teams are expected to participate.
- CT Cup: Our top level (Black) teams in U11+ have the opportunity to enter this highly competitive, statewide, single-elimination tournament. Matches are typically played on Saturdays.
Parent Participation:
Success on the field starts with a strong community off the field! Being part of a travel/premier. team is a collaborative effort, and there are several ways for parents to get involved.
Essential Team Roles
To ensure every teams runs smoothly, we require two key parent volunteers for each roster:
- Parent Team Manager: You'll be the organizational heartbeat of the team, helping with communication and coordination.
- Parent Assistant Coach: You'll support the professional head coach as needed during practices and games.
Both roles are low-commitment but highly rewarding ways to stay connected to your child's soccer journey!
How Are Teams Selected?
We use a fair, comprehensive tryout process to ensure every player is placed in an environment where they can thrive. All players - new and returning - must earn their spot each year.
- Annual Tryouts: Open tryouts for the fall season are held in the spring and are mandatory for participation on a travel team.
- Expert Evaluation: Professional coaches from Team Excel and independent observers evaluate players based on the "four pillars of soccer":
- Technical - ball skill and control
- Tactical - understanding the game
- Psychological - attitude, effort, and coachability
- Physical - speed, strength, endurance
Coaches rank players and submit recommendations to the Coaching Director. Rankings are confidential. Final team placements are determined by the Coaching Director and Travel VPs.
- Placement: Players selected in the fall are offered a spot for both the fall and subsequent spring season. A separate evaluation is held in the winter for new spring-only candidates.
Travel Tryout information and dates for the Fall Travel Season will be announced soon!
Playing Time + Philosophy
Our approach balances skill development with competition as players age.
U9 & U10 (Development Focus): We emphasize equal development. Players can expect approximately 50% playing time in each game over the course of the season.
U11+ (Competition Focus): As the game becomes more competitive, playing time is at the coach's discretion, based on attendance, work ethic, skill, and tactical understanding demonstrated in practices and games.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are new to Ridgefield Travel Soccer, welcome! Registration for the Fall season typically opens in May, and Spring registration begins in December. If you’ve moved to town mid-season, please reach out to our Travel VPs to discuss current openings or off-season training opportunities.
Register for the upcoming season here.
Question? Email us at [email protected]