Travel Team Evaluations and Team Placement
Our Philosophy
Northampton Soccer Club is not a premier program like the Bolts or IFA, and we are not a recreational program like Parks & Rec either. We sit intentionally in the middle. Our goal is to offer a competitive soccer environment that supports player development across a wide range of skill levels.
As long as there are enough players and a committed coach, we aim to create opportunities for kids to play. We do not cut players. Our most fundamental mission is to help children become better soccer players and more confident participants in the game.
Player development is our North Star.
To support that mission, we place players on teams that best match their current skill level and game-readiness. While we deeply value friendships and social connections in sport, we believe players have the best opportunity to grow when they are practicing and competing alongside teammates — and against opponents — of similar skill levels. When players are grouped with peers of similar ability, they are more likely to experience the right balance of challenge and confidence — playing at a pace that challenges them without overwhelming them. This approach allows players to stay engaged, challenged, and confident, and helps foster a positive experience for everyone involved.
We also recognize that team placement decisions can be emotionally complex. It’s natural for coaches and players to form strong bonds with their teams — that connection is one of the best parts of youth sports. When a player is identified as ready to move to a higher level, it can feel difficult for the team and coaches they are leaving behind. Teams sometimes become reliant on a single dominant player, and change can feel disruptive. These moments can bring up lots of feelings of loss, frustration, or even unfairness. Those reactions are completely human. At the same time, movement within the club reflects growth — and growth is something we want for all players. When a standout player moves on, it often creates space for another player to step forward. Adaptation is a normal and healthy part of development — for players and teams alike.
Competition, comparison, and hierarchy can bring out difficult emotions, especially for young athletes. One of the opportunities we have as a club is to help kids learn how to navigate those feelings in a supportive environment. Coaching is not only about teaching soccer skills; it is also about modeling perspective, resilience, and empathy. This is one of the reasons we've been training our coaches using the Positive Coaching Alliance.
General Information on Evaluations
Evaluations for the Fall Season
In June, evaluations for the fall season will be held for all players (current and new players) so that our coaches and Director of Coaching can assess players to ensure that each player is on a team that supports their soccer development. Most players will remain with their previous team, but it is possible for some players to change teams based on recommendations from coaches and the advice of our Director of Coaching, who ultimately makes our roster determinations. Players will then remain with this team into the spring.
Evaluations for the Spring Season
In February, evaluations for the spring season will be held, primarily for new players. Teams for spring will be same as the fall unless numbers dictate we need to move players around, in which case the Director of Coaching will make those decisions.
Fees and Registration
There are no fees for evaluations. Fees for the season are due and payable upon receipt of your team placement email. Find our most up-to-date fees on our registration page.
Players must pre-register to attend evaluations (here). If your family has already used the system, Sports Connect will recognize you when you enter your name. Otherwise, it will invite you to start a new registration.
Evaluations Location
All evaluations for the fall season will take place at Florence Recreational Fields, 145 Meadow Street, Florence, MA.
All evaluations for the spring season will take place at Allsport Arena, 54 Old Ferry Road, Northampton, MA.
Evaluations Check-in
Players should arrive 30 minutes prior to their evaluation in order to sign in, receive a number, and warm up prior to their session. Players should arrive ready to play with a ball, shinguards, cleats and water.
Evaluation Process
The Director of Coaching will run evaluations with the coaches of each age cohort. Evaluations will take approximately one hour per age group. Each player will be given a number to wear, and the evaluators will make notes on each player. Evaluations will primarily consist of dribbling drills, small sided games, and a full scrimmage.
Team Placement Process
The evaluation is one part of the process for determining team placement. For current NSC travel players, players will be placed by combining the evaluation assessment with coach input and observations by the Director of Coaching during season training sessions. For players new to NSC, team placement will rely on performance during the evaluations.
Team Placement Time Frame
An email regarding team placements will be sent to registrants prior to the end of June for the Fall season and at the end of February for the Spring season -- after the Director of Coaching has had an opportunity to review and consider all registrants and discuss with coaches. Players will have 48 hours to accept the team assignment by following the steps in the team placement/registration email the receive. If they do not accept or do not respond within the designated time frame, their position may be offered to another player.
If you have any additional questions please refer to our FAQ page.
Northampton Soccer Club is not a premier program like the Bolts or IFA, and we are not a recreational program like Parks & Rec either. We sit intentionally in the middle. Our goal is to offer a competitive soccer environment that supports player development across a wide range of skill levels.
As long as there are enough players and a committed coach, we aim to create opportunities for kids to play. We do not cut players. Our most fundamental mission is to help children become better soccer players and more confident participants in the game.
Player development is our North Star.
To support that mission, we place players on teams that best match their current skill level and game-readiness. While we deeply value friendships and social connections in sport, we believe players have the best opportunity to grow when they are practicing and competing alongside teammates — and against opponents — of similar skill levels. When players are grouped with peers of similar ability, they are more likely to experience the right balance of challenge and confidence — playing at a pace that challenges them without overwhelming them. This approach allows players to stay engaged, challenged, and confident, and helps foster a positive experience for everyone involved.
We also recognize that team placement decisions can be emotionally complex. It’s natural for coaches and players to form strong bonds with their teams — that connection is one of the best parts of youth sports. When a player is identified as ready to move to a higher level, it can feel difficult for the team and coaches they are leaving behind. Teams sometimes become reliant on a single dominant player, and change can feel disruptive. These moments can bring up lots of feelings of loss, frustration, or even unfairness. Those reactions are completely human. At the same time, movement within the club reflects growth — and growth is something we want for all players. When a standout player moves on, it often creates space for another player to step forward. Adaptation is a normal and healthy part of development — for players and teams alike.
Competition, comparison, and hierarchy can bring out difficult emotions, especially for young athletes. One of the opportunities we have as a club is to help kids learn how to navigate those feelings in a supportive environment. Coaching is not only about teaching soccer skills; it is also about modeling perspective, resilience, and empathy. This is one of the reasons we've been training our coaches using the Positive Coaching Alliance.
General Information on Evaluations
- Evaluations are for players rising into U9 or above.
- Age cut off is determined by the age of the child on August 1st for the following Fall and Spring seasons. (See age group matrix here)
- Note, there may be exceptions for children born before the cutoff if they attend school in the same grade as the age group younger than their traditional cut-off date. This particularly applies to 8th graders born before August 1st.
Evaluations for the Fall Season
In June, evaluations for the fall season will be held for all players (current and new players) so that our coaches and Director of Coaching can assess players to ensure that each player is on a team that supports their soccer development. Most players will remain with their previous team, but it is possible for some players to change teams based on recommendations from coaches and the advice of our Director of Coaching, who ultimately makes our roster determinations. Players will then remain with this team into the spring.
Evaluations for the Spring Season
In February, evaluations for the spring season will be held, primarily for new players. Teams for spring will be same as the fall unless numbers dictate we need to move players around, in which case the Director of Coaching will make those decisions.
Fees and Registration
There are no fees for evaluations. Fees for the season are due and payable upon receipt of your team placement email. Find our most up-to-date fees on our registration page.
Players must pre-register to attend evaluations (here). If your family has already used the system, Sports Connect will recognize you when you enter your name. Otherwise, it will invite you to start a new registration.
Evaluations Location
All evaluations for the fall season will take place at Florence Recreational Fields, 145 Meadow Street, Florence, MA.
All evaluations for the spring season will take place at Allsport Arena, 54 Old Ferry Road, Northampton, MA.
Evaluations Check-in
Players should arrive 30 minutes prior to their evaluation in order to sign in, receive a number, and warm up prior to their session. Players should arrive ready to play with a ball, shinguards, cleats and water.
Evaluation Process
The Director of Coaching will run evaluations with the coaches of each age cohort. Evaluations will take approximately one hour per age group. Each player will be given a number to wear, and the evaluators will make notes on each player. Evaluations will primarily consist of dribbling drills, small sided games, and a full scrimmage.
Team Placement Process
The evaluation is one part of the process for determining team placement. For current NSC travel players, players will be placed by combining the evaluation assessment with coach input and observations by the Director of Coaching during season training sessions. For players new to NSC, team placement will rely on performance during the evaluations.
Team Placement Time Frame
An email regarding team placements will be sent to registrants prior to the end of June for the Fall season and at the end of February for the Spring season -- after the Director of Coaching has had an opportunity to review and consider all registrants and discuss with coaches. Players will have 48 hours to accept the team assignment by following the steps in the team placement/registration email the receive. If they do not accept or do not respond within the designated time frame, their position may be offered to another player.
If you have any additional questions please refer to our FAQ page.
