BAYS Travel Team Tryouts / Selection

Needham Soccer Club Travel Teams  

Each year, Needham Soccer Club selects travel teams in suitable age groups to compete in the Boston Area Youth Soccer League (BAYS). Teams are selected with the aim of fielding the strongest possible teams at each age group, with a number of factors weighing into the selection process. All Needham based players in the appropriate age group are eligible to be considered, but must be selected to be placed on a BAYS Travel team*. In grades 3-6, any player not selected for a BAYS Travel team will automatically be placed on a team in our ‘in-town’ NSCCL program.

*In 7th/8th Grade, all NSC teams are BAYS Travel teams, and any player in those grades is placed on a BAYS Travel Team.

Click the below headings to learn more about how BAYS Travel teams are selected

Each Gender:

• 3rd Grade – 1 Team – SPRING ONLY – 7v7 – 13 players per team
• 4th Grade – 2 Teams – Fall & Spring – 7v7 – 13 players per team
• 5th Grade – 2-3* Teams – Fall & Spring – 9v9 – 14-15 players per team
• 6th Grade – 3* Teams – Fall & Spring – 9v9 – 15-16 players per team
• 7th/8th Grade – All teams are BAYS Travel Teams** – Fall & Spring – 18-22 players per team

*The number of teams for each age group indicate the “typical” number of teams each year. However, Needham Soccer Club has the right to revaluate the exact number of select travel teams in each age group every year to determine what the best developmental options are for each specific age/group of players.

Every year/group is unique. As a result, the list of Criteria that Needham Soccer Club MUST consider when determining the final number of select travel teams at each age group includes, but is NOT limited to the following:

Criteria to Consider

1. Number of players in the Age Group.
2. Number of Tryout participants. 
3. Anticipated number of balance/NSCCL teams.
   1. Potential negative impact on these teams & players. 
4. Availability of practice space.
5. Knowledge of “level” of players.
   1. Comparable to the previously selected teams in both current & previous age groups.
6. Coaching interest and knowledge of the group.
   1. Coaches who show clear understanding of “next group” and meet coaching standards for the age group.

**The first 4-5 7th/8th Grade teams are selected, while the remaining players are balanced on remaining teams (typically for a total of 6-8 teams).

4th-8th Grade teams are selected annually each Spring for the following Fall – Spring year. The 2 Day Tryout period is typically held from Mid-May to Early June. With Day 1 for all age groups taking place prior to MDW and Day 2 for all age groups taking place after MDW.

3rd Grade teams are selected annually each Fall for the following Spring season only. These tryouts are typically held late October to Early November.

There are no other team selection windows or tryout periods. Changes to 4th-6th Grade teams, and top 4 7th/8th Grade teams outside of these selections only occur if a previously selected player withdraws, in which case coaches are encouraged to call up a replacement.

A number of factors go into the selection of Travel teams with the aim of the strongest possible teams in the highest level possible within the BAYS Travel league.

1. Potential coaches apply during the May Registration Period and are slated in order of suitability for the role of Head Coach for each age group (full process detailed below).
2. Slated coaches are encouraged to attend tryouts & watch games to scout prospective players for consideration during the season and ahead of selection meetings.
3. A 2 Day Tryout Period is held for each age group. Tryouts are not mandatory in order to be considered, but interested players are strongly encouraged to attend.
4. Team coaches within the age group (existing Travel and ‘in-town’ NSCCL coaches) are asked to submit 2 different player evaluation forms. Coaches are also encouraged to flag players throughout the season that they feel would be strong candidates for selection and add them to our internal “Players to Watch” form.
5. A selection meeting is held for each age group with all coaches in the age group asked to attend, having the opportunity to advocate for/discuss players under consideration.
6. Final decisions on selected players are made by the head coach, but must be based on the above metrics.

A more detailed tryout process and selection meetings process is outlined below.

Any Coach/Adult is eligible to apply for the role of Head Coach for a BAYS Travel Team. In most cases it is a coach with a child in the age group.

• Coaches must register on GotSport during specified registration window. Coaches interested in a BAYS Travel Team Head Coach role have an earlier registration deadline. Latest coach registration info can be viewed HERE
• NSC Selection Committee meets prior to tryouts starting to review potential coaching candidates. Committee reviews all relevant information.
• In accordance with club by laws, the Selection Committee uses this information to “slate” coaches in order of suitability for the role of Head Coach.
• All Slated coaches are invited to observe tryouts in order to take notes and scout participating players.
• Following Day 1 of tryouts, the Selection Committee reviews all relevant data and begins notifying them of their likely selecting position and role as Head Coach for the age group.
• Following Day 2 of tryouts, the selection committee reviews all the tryout and evaluation data to ensure our top slated coaches children are viable candidates for the Travel Teams before confirming their likely selecting position at our Travel Team Selection Meetings.

Coach Selection Criteria:

• Individual’s coaching licenses
• Ability as an instructor
• Personal playing experience
• Past coaching experience (including in the desired format i.e. 11v11, 9v9, 7v7 & age group)
• Non NSC coaching experience
• Efforts to develop as a coach (additional soccer related certificates/licenses & participation in coaching development activities)
• Adherence to the mission and philosophy of NSC, including but not limited to club Codes of Conduct and Zero Tolerance Policy.
• Ability of the coaches child if playing in the age group

The committee shall use reasonable judgment to weight the above information, and other relevant information it deems appropriate, to choose the best coach for each team.  Such chosen coach should demonstrate a willingness and ability to effectively train and coach players and to act in accordance with the philosophy and practices of the NSC.

The following criteria shall be given consideration to distinguish between coaches of identical or very similar qualifications:

• Service to the club
• The desire to provide players a variety of coaching styles

NSC Requests that ALL parents stay away from the tryout field to give players & coaches space to play and observe freely

Tryouts are run by Director of Coaching Matt Murray with help from the Professional Coaching Staff of the New England Revolution Academy to evaluate players impartially.

• Professional Coaches are used for their expertise, as they work year round with players of all ages & level to allow for a consistent evaluation score at each station & unbiased opinion on all of our NSC players.

Day 1 – Dedicated to collecting data on players’ individual technical skill by playing small-sided games & activities. Players will be scored 1-10 on Attacking, Defending, Possession, Decision Making & General Technical Ability. 

• 4-6th Grade. 90 Minutes: 15-30 Minutes of 4v4/3v3 & 45min – 1 Hour for Skills Stations 
• 7/8th Grade. 2 Hours: 1 Hour of Skills Stations & 1 Hour for 5v5 – 7v7 Games
  • “Skills” –  4 Stations
  • “Games” – Play 3v3-7v7 “Tournaments”.
• Groups are randomly assigned from tryout sign-ups. 

Day 2 – Dedicated solely to playing 4-6 full-sided games (7v7 – 11v11) depending on number of participating players. Games are 15-20 minutes long where evaluating coaches will move players to a new fields between games based on their observations during each game. 

• 4-6th Grade. 90 Minutes 
• 7/8th Grade. 2 Hours 
• At the conclusion of day 2, players will be scored 1-10 on general soccer ability and be “tiered” from top, middle or bottom on each field. 

Groups are preassigned for Day 2 based on the combined data from a number of criteria including but not limited to: Day 1 tryout score, current team coaches evaluations, players current team placement, previous evaluation data and professional coaching staff’s general knowledge of current abilities. 

• In the event that a player is unable to make day 1 of tryouts the above process will be followed for day 2 group placement without the ability to incorporate data from day 1.

*All 4-6th Grade players attend the same 2 day tryout process for their respective age group.

*7/8th Graders will be notified following the NMDT of Day 2 Tryout Group Following a Review of Day 1 and ALL relevant Evaluation Data. 

*To account for the large number of players in 7/8th grades, Day 2 for 7/8th grade will be split into 2 groups. Players assigned to Group 1 following Day 1 of tryouts will participate in Day 2 of tryouts at an earlier time. When/where appropriate the professional coaching staff may invite players from Group 1 to participate with Group 2 at a later time. As a result, some 7/8th graders MAY be asked to participate in 3 days of tryouts. 

Following Tryouts – Scores for each station are collected by DOC, organized & made available at earliest possible date for slated coaches to review as well as for selection meetings.

• Prior to selection meetings, the top slated coach may work to meet with our Boys or Girls Directors or Director of Coaching to look over all relevant data.
• Slated head coaches should come to the meeting with some names in mind that they are considering for the team. Slated coaches are encouraged to do their ‘homework’ and have at least some names in mind, but come in open to discussion and recommendations.
• All current coaches in the age group (Current Travel & NSCCL) are invited & strongly encouraged to attend the Travel Team Selection Meeting where all coaches in room can give input and provide feedback on players on their team as well as players they have played against or coached in previous season.
• Slated Head Coach discusses with the room & reviews both the Tryout Data & Coaches Evaluation forms to help in selecting the Travel Team roster.
• All Head Coaches work to finalize a list of players that will include 4-5 alternates.
• Final Roster Decisions are NOT made during the meeting. Coaches have 48 hours to work with Club Directors and Staff to finalize their rosters. Selecting Coaches may connect with other coaches from the club to follow up on players recommended to the team during the selection meeting to aid in final decisions.
• All selecting coaches MUST submit, in alphabetical order, a complete roster with 3 identified alternates 48 hours following the selection meetings.
• Once team information can be pulled from our registration system, Needham Soccer Club will send official notifications of placement to both players who were selected for each team as well as those who were not selected.
  • A “Congratulations” email sent to those who were selected.
  • A “Thank you for participating” email will be sent to those not selected to notify them of the process forward for team placement.
• Following the official club wide announcement, the Head Coaches are asked to confirm with both the selected players and identified assistant coaches for their team.

ALL CONVERSATIONS AND INFORMATION ARE CONFIDENTIAL.COACHES ARE ASKED TO NOT COMMUNICATE ANY OF THE FINAL ROSTER SELECTIONS PRIOR TO ANNOUNCEMENT FROM CLUB.

To Be Considered:

Players wishing to be considered for selection must register for the relevant season, and should indicate their interest during registration.

For 3rd Grade tryouts in the Fall there is an additional tryout registration required since in many cases those players will have already registered for the full year.

Travel Team Commitment

Spots on NSC BAYS Travel Teams are often highly coveted, with a large number of players trying out for and interested in getting a spot on one of these teams. As such, for players offered and accepting spots, there is an expectation of commitment to the team, and a desire to make this team a priority. 

If offered a spot, players must commit to:

• Attend Most Practices
• Attend Most Games

In the event that a players is consistently unable to meet the above commitment, the coach, with the support of Needham Soccer Club, may remove that player from the team’s roster

Latest Tryout Dates

3rd Grade

3rd Grade teams are selected for Spring only. Tryouts take place during the proceeding Fall season, for players in 3rd Grade at that time.

Next Tryout: Fall ’25 For Spring ’26 Teams

4th Grade

For players entering 4th Grade in Fall

Next Tryout: Spring ’26 For Fall ’26 – Spring ’27 Teams

5th Grade

For players entering 5th Grade in Fall

Next Tryout: Spring ’26 For Fall ’26 – Spring ’27 Teams

6th Grade

For players entering 6th Grade in Fall

Next Tryout: Spring ’26 For Fall ’26 – Spring ’27 Teams

7th / 8th Grade

For players entering 7th or 8th Grade in Fall

Next Tryout: Spring ’26 For Fall ’26 – Spring ’27 Teams