Haverhill PAL Travel Program

The Haverhill PAL Soccer travel program is tailored to the more serious players. Games are played against other teams throughout Essex County. The travel schedule includes 8 games in the fall and 8 games in the spring. That means 4 home and 4 away games each season. Games are scheduled for Saturdays although make-up games may be held during the week. Travel teams usually practice 2 nights per week. The travel season generally begins and ends about the same time as our in-town program, however the schedule is set by the county, not by Haverhill PAL. Age groups in the travel program range from U10 to U14 both seasons. If supported by registration numbers, U16 and U18 may also play in the spring. Tryouts for the fall teams in age groups U10 to U14 are held in the previous spring season.

The number of teams entered into the Essex County Youth Soccer Association (ECYSA) league depends on the number of kids trying out in the different age groups. If a child is chosen they will remain with that team for the fall and spring seasons unless roster changes are made due to extenuating circumstances. There are approximately 300 boys and girls participating in the travel program each season. Almost all of our coaches are licensed and/or have attended training clinics.

The U10 games are non-results oriented, meaning the scores are not posted and there are no playoffs after the spring season. There is a Friendship Tournament for this age group in which all participants receive a trophy or a medal. The U12 to U18 teams can qualify for the ECYSA playoffs after the spring season based on the spring results. If they happen to win there, they would represent the county in that age group at the Massachusetts Tournament of Champions at UMass Amherst near the end of June.

If you have any questions or need more information, please send an e-mail to the Travel Director as shown in the upper right corner of this page.