ATHLETES FOR THE CROSS

Our AFC United recreational and travel soccer programs provide formal gameplay for older children (generally age 8 and older).

Please note that eligibility for all of our soccer programs is based on a child's birth year, in accordance with US Soccer standards.

​

Our teams normally play in the Reading-Berks Junior Soccer League, a grassroots-level travel league.

• For U9 and U10 (7v7), novice teams can play in Division 3 -- a de-facto recreational level -- and teams with more experienced players can play in one of the two traditional travel divisions.

• For U11 and U12 (9v9), there are normally two travel divisions;  placement depends on the skill level of the team.

• For U13 and up (11v11), there is normally a single travel division.

Our teams may be expected to play some of their league games on Sunday afternoons.  For those teams that choose to enter tournaments and/or play in winter indoor leagues, Sunday morning games are possible.

We strive to have a family-first, Christian soccer program.  We want our kids to be passionate, and we want them to be as competitive as possible.  But we don't want "travel soccer" to be a scary phrase.  We want our families and our kids to breathe easy when something that's more important than soccer prevents them from participating in a practice or game.  We do our best to support our kids who are involved in other activities and other sports.

As with all of our programs, our sessions include faith-based activities like prayer time and Bible lessons.

​

• A fall and spring commitment is preferred, for team continuity.

  • Fall season is August - November.

  • Spring season is March - May (some teams may choose to play into June).

  • Some teams may choose to play in tournaments and/or winter indoor leagues.

• Prior soccer experience is preferred but not required.  We value the desire and commitment of our players and families at these older age groups.

• Tryouts may be conducted if there are more registrants for a team than there are available roster positions.

Program details:

• Practices will begin about one month prior to the first league game.

• During the season, expect two practices per week, and a game on the weekend. Teams may play in tournaments in addition to their league games.

• Travel to league away games is often 30 minutes or less (one-way), but there are some clubs who are located as far as 75 minutes away.

• Practice schedules are established by the team's coach, in collaboration with the AFC United Soccer Coordinator.

• Game schedules are established by the leagues in which we play, and the tournaments in which we're entered.

• Games can be played on Saturdays or on Sunday afternoons; makeup games can be played on weeknights.