Another factor in the costs of the Travel Team Program is that most teams play in tournaments in the fall and spring which involve teams from many other clubs. These tournaments are fun for the players, but come at a cost. Also, many teams play indoor soccer during the winter months, playing in either local area indoor leagues or indoor tournaments. These indoor competitions all come at an additional cost.

The costs vary greatly from team to team, depending on the factors listed above, plus others. In general, travel teams cost anywhere from $50 per month to $120 per month per child. Again, the exact amount depends on the team that a player is on. Each team has a different budget that come with different commitments and expectations during the year. In general, 'A' teams have a higher cost factor than the lower level teams. Similarly, older teams tend to have a higher cost per player than younger teams.

ITEMS THAT FACTOR INTO A TEAM'S BUDGET FOR THE SEASON

• Coaches Salary (almost all travel team head coaches are paid employees)
• Referee Fees for leagues
• Tournaments (tournament entry fees range from $350 - $700)
• Indoor Leagues during the winter months (league fees are between $800 and $1000 per league)
• Warmup suits or team equipment bags
• Gym Rentals during the winter months
• Team Parties, post game snacks, etc.

In a typical fall season, a team will play 10-12 games. Half of them will be home games and half will be away games. Home games are at South Ardmore Playground (Wynnewood), Bryn Mawr Polo Field, Welsh Valley Middle School or Barrack Hebrew Academy (Bryn Mawr). Away games will be the opposing team's field. Players normally car pool together with parents of the players driving the players from a central location to the game. Alternatively, some teams might simply have the players drive directly to the field for away games.

Some teams travel on occassion to out of area tournaments, including Bucks County, Harrisbug, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and other places. These tournaments are infrequent and only a few of our travel teams actually travel out of state. We have however had teams participate in the Dallas Cup, Disney College Showcase and even play in Bermuda. In 2002, we had a tournament team (comprised of players from several different LMSC girls teams) play in the Gothia Cup in Sweden.

In the winter, most teams will play a limited amount of indoor soccer, playing in a winter indoor league or playing in several one day tournaments. Many teams, especially the 'A' and 'B' teams, train occassionally indoors throughout the winter, usually once a week. Higher level teams will play in the State Cups in the spring. This is a tournament involving the better teams in the state to determine a state champion. This is mandatory for all 'A' teams. Several 'B' teams play in this as well. Some teams will play instead play in a spring league.

The main season for the Travel Team Program is the fall. However, unlike the intramural program, most teams play a limited amount of soccer in the winter and spring. Players may play other sports during the year, but their primary sport in the fall should be soccer. For the 'A' teams competing in the state cups, they must make a full commitment to their team while their team is involved in state cups.

The Intramural Program however has move flexibility. The age groups listed for the Intramural Program are just guidelines. Overage players who are small or lack coordination may play with a younger age group in the intramural program. Similarly, big, strong, fast, physically mature kids may elect to play up a year in age in the intramural program. Parents may request to have their child play in an age group other than the one recommended by the club. LMSC does however reserve the right to prohibit a child from playing in a different intramural age group if we feel that there are safety issues involved or if a child will severly imbalance the competitive level of an age group.