The Goal of Travel Soccer

The Goal of Travel Soccer

For most young athletes, sports tend to be the focus of their existence (besides school, of course). Some even join travel teams to improve their skills during offseason. For a few of our students, joining a travel team for soccer is a hefty commitment to time, money and energy to get them prepared for the upcoming season. According to Stack, adding a more competitive level of soccer to their year can help them to grow as players and “get exposure to college coaches,” that they may not receive just being on a high school team. The Philly Soccer Page states that although travel soccer is costly and time-consuming, competition, increased rigor, and acquired skills are well worth the price.

Seniors Anna Padgett and Jailyn Padilla play for a club team out of Rome, Ga, called Arsenal. They joined the team to challenge their already amazing soccer skills and take them to the next competitive level. Anna Padgett describes how she enjoys Arsenal and the preparation for the high school season, “I like it, I get to meet a lot of girls from other teams that I will end up playing in school ball anyways and you benefit from the higher-level competition, so that really prepares you.”

Although Anna believes playing for Arsenal benefits her and her soccer skills, Jailyn Padilla takes a different stance, “It’s alright, the girls just have attitude, and how well the team benefits you depends on your luck with the coach you get and the skills of the players that are on the team with you.” Not everyone on a travel team believes that the commitment is worth it in the end, but a few of our very own Lady Colonels’ soccer players sure do!

Another senior, Logan Vermaas, plays for the travel team Impact. When asked if she believes the time and money spent on playing on a travel team is worth it, she replied, “Yes, most definitely! Although it costs a lot, it is worth it because you get really good coaching. It takes a lot of time away, with practice 3 days a week, and then games almost every weekend, but without all the practice I wouldn’t be the player that I am.” For our Lady Colonels, and many other young athletes, joining a travel team puts them ahead of the game when it comes to competition.

 

Anna Padgett and her team (Jailyn Padilla not pictured)
Logan Vermaas at one of her games