Celtic Travel Program FAQs
GENERAL QUESTIONS
What is the Travel Program?
The Travel Program is dedicated to training and developing Palatine and surrounding area residents, as both soccer players and as young adults.
How many Travel Teams are there in Celtic and at what age can we start playing?
The club was represented by 34 teams for the 2009-2010 year. We offer teams for both boys and girls who want to play travel soccer from U7 to U18. From under seven and under eight players participate in our Junior Celtics Program (for more information check out the junior celtics section of the travel page). From ages under nine through under eighteen players participate in the Travel Program.
Why start the Junior Celtics / Travel Soccer so early?
By beginning travel soccer at an early age players will gain a head start in their skill development, which is a vital building block in a player's development. Without a correct and expansive skill development program players will not be able to progress to more advanced techniques and tactics. The Travel program follows a specific player and team development plan.
How do I know if my son or daughter is ready for the Travel Soccer?
If you and your child are looking for a more competitive environment and desire quality coaching with an emphasis on both individual and team development, then the Travel Program might be the answer.
What are the advantages of playing Travel Soccer?
The most notable advantage is that we attract and employ top coaches in the area. The coaches we use are certified either by the ‘United States Soccer Federation’ (USSF) or the ‘National Soccer Coaches Association of America’ (NSCAA). We also offer specialized goalkeeper coaching as well as extra individual technical training nights and team Director of Coaching training at no extra cost. All of our coaches are paid, evaluated regularly, share feedback and ideas with each other and participate in our continual education program. Members of our coaching staff have a wealth of experience and accomplishments, from both coaching and playing -- that include:
- USSF National “A, B, C and D” Licenses
- NSCAA Premier, Advanced National and National Diploma’s
- College coaching experience
- Professional, Semi-Professional and College playing experience
- Illinois Youth Soccer Association Coaching School instructors
- Illinois Olympic Development Program Staff
- Region 2 Olympic Development Program Staff
Another advantage is the tight-knit relationship between families and teams. The travel program families travel to tournaments together, organize team and club functions (tailgates, hayrides, meals, parties and picnics) together.
What leagues do Travel Teams play in?
Our boys currently play in the Young Sportsmen Soccer League, which predominately plays games on a Saturday and our girls play in the Illinois Women’s Soccer League, which predominately plays games on a Sunday. There are exceptions to the rule and some teams may play during the week.
How much of a time commitment should we expect to make?
Travel soccer extends from August to June. Teams starting their season in August participate in a team camp (please go to the camps section of the travel page for more details). After team camp, all teams will train two times a week although there are additional training options for the player who wants to do more.
Depending on the age group, teams will participate in three, four or even five tournaments throughout the year. Often, several teams from the club will travel together to a tournament together. For more information please look at the following tabs. Individual Training - Programming. Team Programming - Teams.
Please note that the Junior Celtics Program time commitment is less than the Travel Program.
How much travel is involved?
Both the YSSL and IWSL could involve away games as near as ten minutes from Palatine or as far as one hours. These will depend on age group, level of the team and division the team is placed in. Please note that half of the league game schedule will be played at home, either at Celtic Park or Hamilton.
Tournament travel will again depend on age group and level of team. Our most competitive teams may do overnight stay tournaments, while all teams will participate in tournaments within an hour radius from Palatine. Provisional tournament schedules will be available to parents at tryouts.
FINANCIAL QUESTIONS
We feel our packages are very reasonable, while still offering an excellent level of training and competition that matches and exceeds other clubs in the area. Program fees for all teams include fall and/or spring outdoor expenses (field fees, referee fees, player registration, tournament registrations, etc), winter expenses (training, leagues and scrimmage time), coaches salaries and club operating expenses. Fees for 2009 - 2010 season where:
- Junior Celtics = $500.00
- U9 to U10 = $1010.00
- U11 to U14 = $1060.00
- U15 to U18 = $710.00
Please note fees for 2010 - 2011 will be posted before travel tryouts in May.
Players who are members of a Travel team have fees due to the club spread throughout the year. Fees are usually due on these dates:
- June: PPD Registration Fees and Deposit.
- August: 1/3 of remaining fees due.
- November: 1/3 of remaining fees due.
- March: 1/3 of remaining fees due.
Uniforms, travel to and from away games, and lodging at tournaments. Additional fees may be required if teams decide to play an additional indoor session or tournament; if the team plays in the Midwest Regional league; or if families request private training.
What kind of fund raising / scholarships are available for low income families?
There are two types of help provided to families:
- Scholarships are available to aid families with part of the club fee. Families interested in receiving financial aid must submit the appropriate paperwork to the Palatine Park District.
- Club-wide fundraising opportunities will be available such as Palatine Celtic Cup ad sales, selling value cards, or selling sports memorabilia to name a few.
TRYOUT QUESTION
When are the 2010 Travel Tryouts?
- High School Boys: June 7th and 9th.
What should I expect at the Tryout?
Players will participate in skills tests and small-sided games. The head coach and other coaches within the club with evaluate players during the two days of tryout for each age group.
What do the coaches look for at the Tryouts?
A combination of athletic ability, high caliber soccer skills, size and speed, a desire to compete and a player who responds with a positive attitude and is willing to learn.
How are Travel Teams formed?
How do I know if I have made a Travel Team?
Tryout results are posted online usually within 48 hours of the last tryout. In some situations coaches may talk directly to players or contact players via telephone.
Can my child play up in an older age group?
Talented and committed players may sometimes play on older teams because it is best for their individual development; Any player within the club who does play up does so under the approval and supervision of the club directors. Throughout our years as a club, many players have trained with older teams for a greater challenge, while others have played in individual games or have joined an older team during the course or at the start of the year (depending on the league roster and transfer rules). If your son or daughter wishes to tryout or play for an older age group, contact Paul Thomas, Director of Coaching.
For more information on tryouts please check out the tryout page, which can be found in the travel section of the web-site.
CELTIC CUP QUESTIONS
What’s this big tournament on Labor Day weekend?
Do I need to Volunteer?
The club requires every family on each travel team work volunteer hours at the Palatine Celtic Cup and have one volunteer per team on a Palatine Celtic Cup committee.
For more information on Celtic Cup please check out the tournaments page of the web site.
