AURORA ARSENAL SOCCER CLUB

                                                            Affiliated with Buffalo & W.N.Y. Junior Soccer League – Youth Division of United States Soccer Federation

Dear Arsenal Family, October 12, 2022

It is that time of year again to start thinking about the 2023 Travel season. The following information contains details regarding our Travel Program and the formation of teams for the 2023 season.

You may also visit our website at www.auroraarsenal.org, which is updated regularly with news, announcements and other timely information and updates about our Travel Program. Additional information about the Buffalo & Western New York Junior Soccer League can be found on their website at www.bwnyjsl.org.

We would like to congratulate all of the Arsenal teams on a great 2022 season.  As we prepare for 2023, we are looking to build upon the competitive environment we have created and give players the opportunity for more training with the primary focus of player development.  Our focus is not going to necessarily be on more games…it will be on more practice, more training, more skills.  That is how kids will improve.  Getting quicker, getting stronger, getting faster, improving individual skills, and team tactics.  These improvements don’t happen in games. They happen with an increased volume of focused training.  Games are to test and evaluate growth as players and our improvement as a team.  We saw great growth this year with our players and teams…and we want to continue this improvement by offering more training opportunities, more focus on individual speed/agility/skill development, with our evaluation (games) coming against stronger competition. 

Our goal is to have travel teams of both genders at every age level from U09 thru U19 participating in the Buffalo & Western New York Junior Soccer League. The younger age groups (U9-U12) are a natural next step for those players that have spent a year or two in our well-established House League program and are looking to take their soccer skills to the next level. For U09 through U12 we strive to have multiple teams per age group with a balance between competitive teams and development teams.

Our ability to do this depends on several key factors:

• The availability of a willing and competent coach
• Sufficient registration numbers in an age division to form a team
• A minimum player skill level, determined through the tryout process, to compete in the League

• If we have sufficient numbers for two teams, we will form teams based on the results of the tryout process to create a competitive team and a developmental team

  
  

Vision

Our vision is to offer a year-round “program” of soccer in East Aurora through increased coordination and cohesion between Arsenal travel and EA school soccer. There will be an increased focus on Winter Training which will help to link the two programs, allowing players to train together over a longer period and in greater overall volume…if they desire. Again, the concept is to offer our players the opportunity to challenge themselves, improve their skills, get faster, get stronger, if that is something they want. Until now, that opportunity has not been available.

TRAVEL COMMITMENT - Please consider this commitment before registering your child for our Program.

 Participation in the Travel Program requires a commitment from coaches, players and parents.

• Winter Training program from January to April. Many of our teams take advantage of this time for practice and/or play indoor leagues during the winter months.
• The outdoor season extends from mid April into early August and consists of 10-14 matches depending on the age group. During this time teams typically practice twice per week and play a league match one weeknight each week. The game night for each age group is listed below – please consider any conflicts that may exist with your match night. Many teams also participate in one or more local weekend tournaments during the season.
• We cannot stress enough the importance of each player’s, as well as the family’s commitment to their team. Travel soccer, at least during the outdoor season, is not something you participate in just when it’s convenient. Players are expected to attend every practice and match during the season. It is not fair to your coaches and teammates, who put in numerous hours preparing and practicing, if you and your child cannot commit to the same level of participation.

Winter Practices begin indoors for some teams in January 2023, however it is up to the Coaches of each team to determine practice times and dates.  Practices will be held at indoor facilities such as Sahlens or local gyms.

All registrations must be done using our on-line registration.

2023 Arsenal Travel Soccer Registration is Open FOR RETURNING ARSENAL PLAYERS ONLY.  Registration will open on October 12, 2022 and closes on January 31st 2023.

To register on-line please go to our website at www.auroraarsenal.org  and click on the registration link.

Fee:  $220.00 (note that registration paid online by credit card or debit card will be charged a $3.00 processing fee; Payment can also be made by check in the amount of $220.00 payable to Aurora Arsenal Soccer Club, Inc., and mailed to P.O. Box 132, East Aurora, NY 14052)

• Registration Fee Includes all Winter Training in 2023, participation in the 2023 BWNYJSL summer league, and one tournament.
• Registration Fee Does Not Include cost of Uniforms: This year, uniforms will be purchased directly by Players on an Online Store.  Uniforms can be purchased once Final Team Rosters are Set. Players will be emailed information about how to purchase uniforms when final rosters are completed.  

If you are unable to pay the full registration fee  you must still register and make a request for a deferred payment.
Please select pay by check at end of registration and email our administration at [email protected]

NOTE: EARLY REGISTRATION IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO GUARANTEE A ROSTER SPOT – ONCE A TEAM ROSTER BECOMES FULL, ROSTER SPOTS WILL BE CLOSED UNLESS ANOTHER TEAM AT THAT AGE CAN BE FORMED.

New Arsenal Travel Players will be emailed when they can register in Late October 2022.  

• Note that New Arsenal Travel Players can only register after they are approved by Arsenal Travel Coordinators Peter Sorgi or Stuart Domanowski.
• Those players who attended the October 8, 2022 Try-Outs will be notified by e-mail if they have been deemed appropriate for Travel Soccer. Please note that placement on a roster will be subject to availability after Returning Travel Players have had an opportunity to register. You must pay registration fee by credit card, debit card or check at time of registration. If no roster spot is available, you will be refunded the amount you paid. 

In the event that your child does not qualify for a team, or teams are not formed in a particular age group, your registration fee will be refunded, less any late registration fees. Once your child has accepted placement on an Arsenal team, refunds will only be considered if we receive written notification that your child will not be playing for that team. Non-recoverable expenses incurred by the Arsenal organization will not be refunded. Please read the policy covering registration fees, late fees and refunds, which can be accessed through the Club’s website at www.auroraarsenal.org.

Player eligibility is determined by the player's birth year. Eligibility in 2023 will be by CALENDAR year. Players may be allowed to play "up" an age division, based on ability and at the discretion of the Travel Committee. Players are not allowed to play "down" an age division. The table below lists birth date guidelines:

TEAM ROSTER SIZE & FORMAT

HOUSE LEAGUE

For those who do not qualify for, or choose not to play on a Travel team we have our House Program that runs during May and June. While not as competitive as the Travel Program, there is a wealth of player and coaching talent within the league. All children ages 5 through 18 may participate in the House Program. House registration is held in February 2023.

REFEREEING HOUSE LEAGUE GAMES

Travel players 12 and older can register to referee our House League games. There is a box to check on the registration form to indicate a player’s interest in refereeing. Please understand that checking this box does not guarantee you a spot in the referee rotation for 2023. We have a large pool of veteran refs as well as a waiting list. Your name will be added to the list and you will be contacted when a position is available. 

Volunteer Opportunities

We are always in need of volunteers to help us with coaching, field set-up / maintenance and those willing to serve on our Board of Directors. If you are interested in assisting our organization in any way please select coaching or volunteer help during registration.

Regards,

Aurora Arsenal Soccer Club