The Travel Program is comprised of teams that range in age from U10 through U19 levels. Each MASC travel team competes weekly against other travel teams of their own age from the Western PA area.

Because MASC is a member of the PA West League, we are governed by PA West rules. The PA West website can be viewed at: www.pawest-soccer.org. The 2005-2006 Version of the PA West Youth Playing Rules can be viewed at: 2005-2006 Version of the PA West Youth Playing Rules.

MASC rules concerning the Travel Program can be found on the MASC Rules page of the MASC website.

All first time parents / guardians of travel players are encouraged to familiarize themselves with all of these regulations.

• A maximum of 8 games are played each season (4 home and 4 away). Home games are played at the Mars soccer fields.
• Travel "away" games at the transitional and recreation-plus levels (girls: B and C, boys: 2, 3 and 4) are typically not that far in distance. The Competitive Division (girls: A, boys: 1) "away" games can be further distances in order to find the appropriate levels of competition. In the Fall 2005, the U10A Girls played "away" at Pine-Richland, Seneca, Karns City (near Butler), and Beaver.
• Travel games are played on Sundays. Games are typically scheduled between 1pm and 4pm.
• Travel teams practice twice a week for an hour and a half each practice.
• In order to play on a U10 Travel Team, players must also play on a Mars in-house team. All other levels are exempt from this, as there are no corresponding in-house teams.
• The Travel Program cost for the U10 level, along with the in-house team cost, is $80 per player. This covers the uniform, field fee, and U10 in-house registration. For all other travel team levels the cost is $95. The fee is due at the time of registration.
• PA West current maximum number of players allowed on a U10 Travel Team is 12. There are no exceptions.
• The higher the age levels, the more players allowed (i.e., U11 can have up to maximum 14 players and levels above U11 can have up to 22 players but only "dress" 18 for a game).

Soccer skills evaluations for the MASC Travel Program (Fall 2006 / Spring 2007) will be held in May 2006. The evaluations are free and will be conducted by impartial judges at the MASC fields. There is no obligation to play for a Travel Team just because a player wants to be evaluated. All U10 - U14 travel players currently playing on a spring team and new players who would like to register for traveling teams will be evaluated during these training sessions on the dates specified below. The club recommends that every child that is age eligible attend this FREE evaluation since their interest in playing travel soccer could develop between May and August.

New for 2006: - Please note that the age group range has been lowered for the U10 Travel Teams. Based on a proposed amendment to the MASC bylaws, players going into their first year of U10 soccer this Fall can now be evaluated for a position on a U10 Travel Team.

• Evaluations are free and confidential. Scores will only be shared with the Travel Commissioner and appropriate coaches.
• Evaluations are conducted by a team of impartial, knowledgeable judges.
• Each child will be assigned a number when he/she arrives. That number will then be attached to his/her T-shirt.
• Parents may stay and watch the evaluations.
• The Travel Commissioner and several of the spring Travel Coaches will be on hand to give the parents an overview of the Travel Program and to answer any questions.
• Players being evaluated are asked to "do their best" by the judges.
• Your child should wear shin guards and soccer shoes and bring a soccer ball and full water bottle to the evaluations.
• Travel Team registration will be available during these sessions. Fees are due at the time of registration.
• Unfortunately there are a limited number of spaces on each travel team, and MASC does not guarantee that every child will be placed on a team (for example: Under current PA-West regulations, the roster size of a U10 team is limited to 12. If we have 14 kids who have signed up, then 2 will not be able to play on this team based on their evaluation scores). That said, the travel coordinator will then make every effort to review other options so these children could play on another team.
• For additional information, please contact the travel coordinator.
• Coaches and Parents: PLEASE make sure your children understand the importance of participating in the evaluations. Even if they aren't planning on playing in the Fall, they may change their minds over the summer and the club will need their numbers from evaluations to be placed on the proper team.

Please plan on arriving at the MASC fields at least 15 to 30 minutes prior to your scheduled start time. This will allow your child sufficient time to check-in and warm-up before the evaluations begin. Evaluations will begin promptly at their designated start time!