A West Side Travel Player represents the club both on and off the field. They compete with a strong team-first mindset, actively building trust and connection with teammates so the group moves, competes, and succeeds together. These players demonstrate character, respect, and the values of the club, consistently showing the “Things That Take No Talent” habits: effort, preparation, positivity, and coachability. Talent matters, but what defines a West Side Travel Player is a commitment to hard work, team culture, and doing the little things that raise the standard every day.

Being part of the Travel Team is a commitment made by players who are driven to push themselves—through disciplined training, challenging games, and continuous growth. Beyond skill development, it’s important to show up with a positive attitude, put in the work, and be a teammate others can count on. 

Every practice. Every game.

Do the things that Take No Talent

• Be on time – early is on time.

• Be prepared – have your gear ready, and mind ready.

• Bring effort & energy – give 100% every game/practice

• Stay positive – attitude is a choice!

• Support teammates – lift each other up

• Respect all – refs, opponents, coaches, teammates, and yourself.

• Be coachable – listen, learn, apply

• Communicate – speak up, ask, share

• Do the extras – little things add up

Attendance

• Be at every practice and every game. That’s part of being on this team.

• Missing is only okay for a real reason: illness, family emergency, religious holidays, or extended school breaks.

• If you miss 2 or more games in a season without an approved reason, or you’re repeatedly late / absent, you will lose playing time or lose your spot on the team.
  
  

Conduct

• Listen the first time. Follow coach directions and stay focused.

• Show respect to teammates, opponents, referees, and coaches—always.

• No trash talk, no messing around during instruction, and no unsafe behavior.

• Respect facilities, stay in permitted areas, do not touch what isn't yours.

• If you’re repeatedly disruptive or disrespectful, you can be benched, suspended from training/games, or removed from the team.
  
  

Bottom line

This is a commitment. 

Your effort, attitude, and attendance matter.

U8-U12 Teams:  

• • IF you meet ALL commitment and expectations: 50% over the course of a season, not per game.

  • Your parents do not dictate playing time. Your effort, motivation, sportsmanship, commitment, and attendance dictate how much you play.

U13 to High School: 

• • NO FIXED MINUTES

  • Playing time will be dependent on your role, position, and performance, and will not be guaranteed by a fixed number of minutes per game. 

  • Your attendance, behavior, and attitude are just as important as skill level.  

Practice Attire

• You must wear the official training top for each training session (no exceptions).

• Shorts: Black or navy soccer shorts only.

• Socks: Black or navy soccer socks.

• Footwear: Proper soccer cleats or turf shoes (depending on field surface).

• Shin Guards: Mandatory for all sessions.

• If you are not wearing proper practice attire will not be able to practice.

Game Day Attire

• You must wear the official team game jersey, designated game shorts, and official socks purchased as part of the club uniform package.

• No alternate shorts, socks, or non-club colors are allowed.

• Shin guards and appropriate soccer footwear are required for match play.

• If you are not wearing your complete uniform you will not play in the game.

Cell Phone Policy :  Absolutely NO CELL PHONE use is during practices or games.

This includes no cell phone or smart watch use:

• During water breaks

• Time on the sideline as a substitute

• Any time during the full practice or game 

Phones must remain put away. Urgent needs must be cleared with the coach.

Oh Snap!  TEAMSNAP

Communication & Attendance for Older Players

As middle and high-school players, you already manage deadlines and responsibilities every day in school—the same standard applies here. Outside of commitments with your school team, attendance at training and games is expected.

Players who use TeamSnap:

• Players must communicate attendance for ALL training sessions.

• All absences must include a clear, specific reason.

• Vague entries such as “school event,” “busy,” “tired,” or “family” will not be accepted

Acceptable examples:

• “Out due to ACT exam Saturday morning.”

• “Out due to school team finals overlapping with training.”

• “Out due to Model UN conference.”

If you mark “attending” and then do not show up without a clear, excused reason, you will not play in that weekend’s game.

This will also apply if:

• You fail to update your RSVP

• You give incomplete explanations

• You mark “yes” and do not attend

Please also note: Coaches track attendance, attitude, behavior, and engagement (TABS) at every practice, and this is reviewed each week.