A brief overview of GC United travel soccer
In 2007, a small group of parents worked closely with Haitian born, Marc Brutus to develop a program that would challenge the players who were ready to move to the next level of competition. Our very strong recreation program had developed the basic skills for these players and they were ready to move on. The goal for this travel program was and is to keep the fees affordable to all players in Giles County.
So what is travel soccer?
Travel soccer is a bit more involved than recreation soccer as most travel teams practice 2-3 times a week for 1-2 hour sessions. Conditioning and foot work skills are involved in each practice as well as more strategy and positioning on the field.
In addition to more practices there are more games and travel involved. Our travel teams compete in the Blue Ridge Soccer League (BRSL) which offers an 8 week season both in the fall and spring. If you visit their website you will see that travel can be somewhat local (Blacksburg, Radford, Wytheville) but can also be as far away as Danville, Lexington or Bedford. Games are usually on Saturday and/or Sunday afternoons.
Likewise, some teams choose to participate in tournaments which involve an entire weekend. Most teams travel to the tournament on Friday night, play in 2 games on Saturday and then at least 1 game on Sunday. However, there are some local tournaments that teams have participated in that do not involve overnight stay. These include tournaments in Radford, Blacksburg and Roanoke.
GC United u12 team
Currently we have one travel team participating in BRSL which is comprised of players ranging in ages from 9-12. Coach Paul Short, Manager Angie Higginbotham,
GC United High School Teams
During the fall of 2012 we had 2 girls team that participated in BRSL. These two teams were made up of players ranging in age from 13 to 18. Eric Ruppert, Manager Diana Estep,
Academy Program
Additionally we are offering an Academy program for younger players (ages 7-10) which is less involved but yet just as important. If player development begins at this earlier age the travel program for Giles will become more competitive as most clubs begin player development programs as early as age 6. This program practices once a week for 1 hour and then will attend 2-3 Academy Festivals which include some travel but are usually only one day. Coach Bret Nicholson,
Webpage link for our travel program:
Commonly Asked Questions
Will I have to travel long distances and stay over night? Answer: Half or more of BRCL games will be at your home fields and the rest of your games will be within 40 minutes to 2-hour drive from your home. No overnights are needed for any BRCL league games. You will find the game schedule comfortable for your family. Many families carpool. Club soccer is labeled "Travel" soccer because games are traditionally played on the hosting team’s home field. The visiting team will "travel" within our region.
Will I have to play in many tournaments? Answer: Most teams elect to play one to four tournaments in each of the fall and spring seasons. Tournaments give players valuable competitive experience and create a social opportunity for the players and the parents. Tournament travel is a treat and is enjoyed by all. There are many tournaments available to choose from in our regional area, a comfortable drive for BRCL teams. Tournaments are hosted in the area by BRCL Member Clubs.
Does Travel soccer cost a lot of money? Answer: Travel soccer costs more than recreational soccer but its costs are competitive with club competition in other sports like softball, baseball, football, basketball, and gymnastics. Many creative teams have car washes; bake sales and other fund raising and team-building events that can defer some of your cost of club soccer. Individual club teams generally organize those fundraisers.
How big will my time commitment be? Answer: Most clubs have a practice schedule, which are two or three days per week for2 hours each. Each team plays 8-10 regular season matches and most teams elect to participate in weekend tournaments during each season. Your commitment to soccer and attending all practices, games, and tournaments are ALL-greater than at the recreational level, just as they are in ANY Club Sport.