Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ)
What if My Child Can’t Attend Evaluations?
Evaluations are mandatory for all players (current and new). If your child absolutely cannot attend the evaluation dates for your age group, please contact our Director of Coaching ([email protected] ) and explain the circumstances. The player may be able to be evaluated at a later date, however, new players who miss their primary evaluation date may be at a disadvantage.
Does NSC accept non-Northampton players?
Anyone who lives in Northampton, Florence, Leeds and anyone who goes to school in one of the Northampton area schools (including school choice kids from other towns) is considered a Northampton area player and has priority for team placement. Extra spaces will be made available to children from other towns, based on competitive evaluations.
There are two exceptions to the above policy. First, once a child from another town begins playing on an NSC travel team, then he/she will have equal priority with Northampton area players in any future evaluations, as long as he/she does not leave the program. So if a girl from Easthampton is on an NSC travel team, she will not be denied the next season simply because she is from Easthampton. Second, if there is more than one team at a given level, Northampton area kids will not be favored between the teams. So for example, if there is a U13 girls Division 1 team and Division 2 team, a child from Hadley who is “waivered in” and who is good enough to play on the Division 1 team would be placed there. Players whose home town has a town travel soccer program need a waiver from their town in order to play for a Northampton team. The player can attend evaluations, and then if he/she is placed on a team we will help them obtain the waiver.
According to Roots Soccer League waivers may be granted for the following reasons:
1) Existing club does not have an appropriate team for that player to play on
2) A player involved in divorce or custody circumstances
3) A school choice student playing for a team in the town where he or she attends school
4) A player on a team affiliated with a church, temple or fraternal organization where the player is a member.
Can my child play at a different grade level?
Maybe. In certain cases, a player may "play up” with an older team. The policy is that a child must evaluate with his/her proper age group. A decision about allowing a player to play up will be based on the player’s ability level, the needs of the various teams, and with the consent of coaches from both age level teams. A player that is advanced a grade in school beyond their age and has been playing with their classmates rather than at their age may be eligible to continue playing with their classmates.
Does every player make a team?
The goal of NSC is to create opportunities for competitive play and advanced skill development for the greatest number of players. We will do our best to place all players on teams, however in some cases roster numbers and skill levels may prohibit us from offering a team slot to each player who attends evaluations. An example would be when we have too many players for one team, but not enough for a second team. If players in 3rd - 6th grade don’t make a travel team, they have the option to play on a Northampton Recreation team in the fall.
What is the cost?
There is no cost for evaluations. See our registration page for the most up-to-date season fees. Financial support is available for children receiving free or reduced school lunches. NSC strongly believes that ability to play should not be based on ability to pay. Please contact our registrar for more information at [email protected].
Evaluations are mandatory for all players (current and new). If your child absolutely cannot attend the evaluation dates for your age group, please contact our Director of Coaching ([email protected] ) and explain the circumstances. The player may be able to be evaluated at a later date, however, new players who miss their primary evaluation date may be at a disadvantage.
Does NSC accept non-Northampton players?
Anyone who lives in Northampton, Florence, Leeds and anyone who goes to school in one of the Northampton area schools (including school choice kids from other towns) is considered a Northampton area player and has priority for team placement. Extra spaces will be made available to children from other towns, based on competitive evaluations.
There are two exceptions to the above policy. First, once a child from another town begins playing on an NSC travel team, then he/she will have equal priority with Northampton area players in any future evaluations, as long as he/she does not leave the program. So if a girl from Easthampton is on an NSC travel team, she will not be denied the next season simply because she is from Easthampton. Second, if there is more than one team at a given level, Northampton area kids will not be favored between the teams. So for example, if there is a U13 girls Division 1 team and Division 2 team, a child from Hadley who is “waivered in” and who is good enough to play on the Division 1 team would be placed there. Players whose home town has a town travel soccer program need a waiver from their town in order to play for a Northampton team. The player can attend evaluations, and then if he/she is placed on a team we will help them obtain the waiver.
According to Roots Soccer League waivers may be granted for the following reasons:
1) Existing club does not have an appropriate team for that player to play on
2) A player involved in divorce or custody circumstances
3) A school choice student playing for a team in the town where he or she attends school
4) A player on a team affiliated with a church, temple or fraternal organization where the player is a member.
Can my child play at a different grade level?
Maybe. In certain cases, a player may "play up” with an older team. The policy is that a child must evaluate with his/her proper age group. A decision about allowing a player to play up will be based on the player’s ability level, the needs of the various teams, and with the consent of coaches from both age level teams. A player that is advanced a grade in school beyond their age and has been playing with their classmates rather than at their age may be eligible to continue playing with their classmates.
Does every player make a team?
The goal of NSC is to create opportunities for competitive play and advanced skill development for the greatest number of players. We will do our best to place all players on teams, however in some cases roster numbers and skill levels may prohibit us from offering a team slot to each player who attends evaluations. An example would be when we have too many players for one team, but not enough for a second team. If players in 3rd - 6th grade don’t make a travel team, they have the option to play on a Northampton Recreation team in the fall.
What is the cost?
There is no cost for evaluations. See our registration page for the most up-to-date season fees. Financial support is available for children receiving free or reduced school lunches. NSC strongly believes that ability to play should not be based on ability to pay. Please contact our registrar for more information at [email protected].
