Jefferson Youth Soccer has two divisions for which it is responsible, Recreation and Travel. Recreation affords an opportunity for all Jefferson residents to play soccer regardless of skill level. Travel is a more competitive program and requires a greater commitment to the sport.

The travel season runs from September through June of the following year, with a break over the winter months (December - March). The season consists of league play in the fall season (September thru November) and spring season (April thru June). Some coaches may opt for weekly training (at an additional cost) in the winter months, usually February & March. There is also opportunity for teams to compete in winter indoor leagues should the coach and players be interested.

Each Fall & Spring season of league play consists of 8 games (4 home & 4 away). The travel program requires a commitment for both the fall and spring seasons. Teams are formed in specific age groups and compete against teams from other towns.

Teams may also chose to play in a tournament that takes place during the season or in the off season months (Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Memorial Day). Popular Fall Tournaments include the Roxbury Kick Off Classic (late August), Mt. Olive Halloween Tournament (October) or the Pequannock Fall Classic (October).

Jefferson Youth Soccer provides professional training to all of our travel teams. Each team will enjoy a 90 minute practice with a professional trainer, and a 90 minute practice with their team coaches on a weekly basis. The trainers also attend 4 games per season.

Q: Why should I consider Travel Soccer?

A: Travel Soccer provides the opportunity for your child to play at a more competitive level. The Jefferson Youth Soccer Travel program includes professional training emphasizing the development of both individual and team skills while maintaining character, athletic skills and good sportsmanship.

Q: Who is eligible to play?

A: Jefferson Youth Soccer fields teams from U9 to U15 for boys and girls. Our tryouts are open, meaning anybody may attend and compete for a spot on a team. No spots are guaranteed from year to year. Existing players as well as new players must compete for a spot on the new roster. Player rosters are selected by tryout. In the spring, the Jefferson Youth Soccer expands to include High School Players (U-15 thru U-19). For the Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 Season , players born in 2015 through 2008 are eligible to try out. Note about birth year 2015 players: BY2015 players will be considered for U8 or U9 teams and may be combined with BY2014 players. U9 has been the youngest category in MCYSA league play, but they also offer a U8 4v4 program. 

A: The majority of the teams within JYS play in the Morris County Youth Soccer Association (MCYSA). Away games are played in other towns usually within 30 to 60 minutes from Jefferson. U8 players participate in upto 8 4v4 festivals in North New Jersey.

Q: Why a tryout?

A: The objective of the travel program is to put together the strongest team possible to compete against other towns. Tryouts afford an opportunity for evaluations of all players to determine the strongest players. The top players are invited to play while the others remain eligible to play in recreation, and will have the opportunity to tryout again the following year. If enough players are eligible, JYS will form multiple teams in each age level. These will be identified as Blue, Gold and White teams.

Q: If my child doesn't make the team then what?

A: If your child doesn't make the travel team they are eligible to play in recreation and tryout again the following year.

Q: How many teams / players in age group?

A: Our goal is to have at least one team in each gender in each age group. The number of teams will be based on the number of players who attend the tryout. U8 plays 4v4 and has a roster of up to 8 players and is co-ed. U-9 thru U-10 are small sided teams (7v7 play) with rosters between 11 and 12 players. U-11 thru U-12 are also small sided but with 9v9 games with typically 13-16 players on the roster. U13-U15 play full sided, 11v11 games with rosters typically at 14-18 players. Second teams can be formed if there are enough players and the JYS board approves the second team. If a child is selected based on their ability for the "first" team, they are not allowed to reject that offer and play for a second travel team if one is available.

Q: What kind of financial commitment is required?

A: There are many pieces to the cost of playing travel soccer including additional registration fees, uniform costs, training fees, tournament fees, etc.  The Fall Fee is approximately $300, and the Spring fee $250.  If you are a new player, you must also buy a uniform kit (a minimum of 1x home jersey, 1x away jersey, 1x shorts and 1x socks) for about $110 plus shipping. You may chose to purchase additional items. 

Q: What kind of time commitment is required?

A: Your commitment to the travel team is for one year; commencing August through June of the following year and including both Fall and Spring Seasons. The fall season is from September through November. Spring Season runs April through June.  Travel teams will practice two times during the week with most games on Sundays. Players are generally "off" from Thanksgiving until early January. Teams may practice from January to March indoors. This is discretionary although participation is recommended. If players agree they may also participate in some local indoor one or two day tournaments. Spring season participation is strongly encouraged but not mandatory. Failure to commit to the Spring season may leave the team "short" of players. Coaches understand the importance of playing other sports and allowances can be made to accommodate.  We respectfully ask that if you only intend to play Fall season, that you inform JYS prior to accepting an invite.

Q: If I am interested what do I do?

A: You must register your child prior to the tryout date. There is a no fee for tryouts collected at time of registration. 

Q: How do I know what age group should my child try out for?

A: Tryouts are by birth year. Attend the session corresponding to your child's birth year.

Q: How will I know if my child made the team?

A: After the tryout the scores will be tabulated. You will receive an e-mail approximately 2 weeks after tryouts have been completed. When you receive the e-mail you will either be informed that your child did not make this year's team or your child will be invited to play on this year's team with instructions to accept or reject the team slot on the team web page. If invited please be prepared to answer yes or no to the invitation that day.  By that time you should know if this is a commitment your child and family are willing to make. Your decision could have an impact on other players also waiting for an invite as the spots on the team are limited.

Q: My child cannot make tryouts due to a conflict. Can they still play? What do I do?

A: We expect all players to make reasonable arrangements to make this tryout, as a large part of playing travel soccer is commitment. We understand that there are still unavoidable conflicts. If you cannot make it, please register by the deadline. Identify to the travel coordinator via email that you cannot make it and why. We will plug your player into an age appropriate trainer practice during the week.


Q: I want to coach my child's soccer team. What steps do I need to take?

A: For already established teams, first-refusal is given to the current coaches, though you may still let us know you are interested. For the incoming U9 teams, or any other newly formed teams, you should let us know as soon as possible that you are interested and begin to complete the requirements as noted in the "Coaches" section of the JYS website.