Dear Arsenal Family,

Preparations are well underway for the 2008 Travel season. Following is registration and background information about our Travel Program and the Tryout Schedule for the formation of the 2008 season teams. If you have questions not addressed here, please contact our President and Travel Coordinator, Raymond Wrazen, at 652-4573 or wrazenra@verizon.net

Or return to this website for updated News, Announcements and other timely information. If you are a parent unsure about what Travel soccer is and if it is right for your child, read the information given below or talk to an Arsenal travel coach. Others may have asked the same questions or expressed many of the same concerns that you have about Travel soccer. To help give you more information we have compiled many in a FAQ section on the website.

September 14, 2007 6:09 PM: Please note the change to the U 16 boys tryout schedule! The new time is Sunday, 9/30; 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM.

Our goal is to have Travel teams of both genders at every age level from U10 thru U19 and participate in the Buffalo & Western New York Junior Soccer League. At U10, U11 and U12 we hope to have multiple teams. Our ability to do this depends on several key factors:

Please make checks payable to “Aurora Arsenal”. For all registrations received after September 22nd , there is a $10 late fee. If you are unable to pay the full registration fee by the 22nd , you must still complete the registration form, as well as request a Deferred Payment Arrangement, in order to avoid the $10 late fee. Please contact our Finance Coordinator, Cheryl Kraus at 652-3213 if you need to make any financial arrangements.

If this is your first time registering a child for the Travel Program, we must have on file a photocopy of their birth certificate. If in doubt, please bring a copy with you. A photo is not required at registration. Please read the policy covering registration fees, late fees, and refunds, which can be found here. Registration is not considered complete (and late fees will apply) until all required items are received including registration fee and birth certificate. All fees must be paid in full in order for your child to be placed on a team.

Registration form is available here in PDF format.

League rules restrict team size and we will endeavor to fill the roster whenever possible, provided each player has demonstrated the necessary minimum skills required for his/her age group and expected team placement within their division. If there are more registrations in an age division than there are available spots, or players do not demonstrate the minimum skills required for their age group, cuts will be made. However, if there are sufficient numbers and an available coach, multiple teams may be formed at each age level. Players not selected for a Travel team are invited to join our House Program.

One (1) tryout session will be conducted by the Club at Knox Field for each age group as indicated below. This tryout will be facilitated by our Director of Coaching Dave Coulter allowing the coaches to concentrate more on observing and evaluating the players. Player evaluations will be completed by the coaches with input from the trainer. Final team selections must be approved by the Board of Director’s Travel Committee. Certain age groups tryouts will be combined for the sake of consolidating the process, but all players will be evaluated based on their indicated team(s) of choice (i.e., a U-11 player trying out for both U-11 and U-12 will be evaluated at both of those levels). Individual coaches may schedule an additional age-specific tryout at their discretion. Players will be notified by the coaches. All players should make every effort to participate in all sessions specific to their age and aspirations. Players must wear shin guards and bring a water bottle and soccer ball. Players should arrive at least 20 minutes early to check in and ensure they do not miss any part of their tryout session.

Players should be prepared to demonstrate their ability in basic ‘ball skills’ (e.g., dribbling, passing, trapping, shooting, etc.). In addition, 1v1 drills, small-sided drills/games, and larger sided scrimmages should be expected. Players will generally be expected to demonstrate a certain level of technical ability and tactical awareness of the game, depending on their age group.

The coaches listed are primary contacts for those age groups indicated, although other coaches will also be involved in the player evaluations. The Age Group coordinators are typically slated to be the A team head coach for one of the teams in that age division. In addition we typically have a ready, willing and able pool of coaches to assist and coach B or C teams if necessary. In some cases final coaching assignments have not been made or the assignments listed below could change depending on registration numbers. When vacancies are filled or changes to assignments are made they will be announced here or on our main page. If you are interested in coaching, please let us know. If you have any questions, please contact the Arsenal President and Travel Coordinator, Raymond Wrazen or the coach for the Age Division(s) in which you are interested.

Please note that the game night for the U11 & 12 Girls is now Tuesday night and the U13 & 14 Girls is Monday. This is a League change to help with field capacity issues. Overall in WNY, soccer fields are approaching 90% utilization. By putting the U11 and U12 (9 v 9 games) on Tuesday and the U13 & 14 (11 v 11 games) on Monday more fields are being put into use on the two busiest game nights.

We will inform you of team assignments as soon as possible following the last tryout session. Please do not panic if you do not hear from the coach immediately. Sometimes it can take 3-4 weeks depending on additional tryouts and other factors.