Find the Right Program for Your Child
Not sure where your child fits? Every child’s soccer journey is different. Some players are just beginning. Some are ready for a team experience. Others are looking for more competition and a bigger commitment.
South Windsor Soccer Club offers programs for players at different ages, interest levels, and stages of development. This page gives families a simple overview of the SWSC player pathway so you can understand the options and choose the program that feels like the best fit for your child right now.
South Windsor Soccer Club offers programs for players at different ages, interest levels, and stages of development. This page gives families a simple overview of the SWSC player pathway so you can understand the options and choose the program that feels like the best fit for your child right now.
Your child’s age is the easiest place to start. For younger players, the program pathway is mostly based on age. Beginning around age 8, families may have a choice between Recreation and Travel. Select your child’s age group below to jump to the section that applies to them.
BOBCATS PROGRAM
Bobcats is the first step in the SWSC player pathway. It's designed to give young players a fun, active, and positive first experience with soccer. At this age, the focus is not on competition or formal team play. The focus is on movement, confidence, listening, following simple directions, getting comfortable with the ball, and having fun in a group setting.
This is where players begin to build a love for the game.
Bobcats is the first step in the SWSC player pathway. It's designed to give young players a fun, active, and positive first experience with soccer. At this age, the focus is not on competition or formal team play. The focus is on movement, confidence, listening, following simple directions, getting comfortable with the ball, and having fun in a group setting.
This is where players begin to build a love for the game.
TOPS PROGRAM
Some players may benefit from a soccer environment with more individualized attention, additional support, and a pace that better matches their needs. SWSC offers a program for young athletes with special needs, ages 4–19, who want the opportunity to learn, play, and enjoy soccer in a welcoming setting. Players are supported by volunteer mentors and participate in activities designed to build confidence, movement, coordination, and soccer skills.
Some players may benefit from a soccer environment with more individualized attention, additional support, and a pace that better matches their needs. SWSC offers a program for young athletes with special needs, ages 4–19, who want the opportunity to learn, play, and enjoy soccer in a welcoming setting. Players are supported by volunteer mentors and participate in activities designed to build confidence, movement, coordination, and soccer skills.
YOUTH ACADEMY
Youth Academy gives players a more structured soccer experience while still keeping the game fun and age-appropriate. Players get lots of touches on the ball, build basic skills, play small-sided games, and begin learning how to play with teammates.
This stage helps players move from a simple introduction to soccer into a more organized team environment.
Youth Academy gives players a more structured soccer experience while still keeping the game fun and age-appropriate. Players get lots of touches on the ball, build basic skills, play small-sided games, and begin learning how to play with teammates.
This stage helps players move from a simple introduction to soccer into a more organized team environment.
TOPS PROGRAM
Some players may benefit from a soccer environment with more individualized attention, additional support, and a pace that better matches their needs. SWSC offers a program for young athletes with special needs, ages 4–19, who want the opportunity to learn, play, and enjoy soccer in a welcoming setting. Players are supported by volunteer mentors and participate in activities designed to build confidence, movement, coordination, and soccer skills.
Some players may benefit from a soccer environment with more individualized attention, additional support, and a pace that better matches their needs. SWSC offers a program for young athletes with special needs, ages 4–19, who want the opportunity to learn, play, and enjoy soccer in a welcoming setting. Players are supported by volunteer mentors and participate in activities designed to build confidence, movement, coordination, and soccer skills.
For players ages 8–14, Recreation and Travel are the two main team pathways. Recreation is a development-first team experience with competitive games, a balanced environment, and a focus on learning, teamwork, belonging, and fun. Travel is for players ready for stronger competition, more focused training, and a bigger soccer challenge.
For players with special needs who may benefit from more individualized support, TOPS Accessibility may also be an option.
The right choice is the program that best fits your child right now.
For players with special needs who may benefit from more individualized support, TOPS Accessibility may also be an option.
The right choice is the program that best fits your child right now.
THE RECREATION PROGRAM: Competitive team soccer in a development-first environment
Recreation is for players who want to learn, compete, improve, and belong to a team in an environment that keeps the game meaningful, positive, and balanced.
Players still practice, play games, work hard, and compete. The difference is that Rec welcomes a wider range of experience levels and keeps the focus on development, confidence, teamwork, belonging, and enjoyment of the game.
Key points:
Recreation is for players who want to learn, compete, improve, and belong to a team in an environment that keeps the game meaningful, positive, and balanced.
Players still practice, play games, work hard, and compete. The difference is that Rec welcomes a wider range of experience levels and keeps the focus on development, confidence, teamwork, belonging, and enjoyment of the game.
Key points:
- All experience levels welcome
- Competitive games in a development-first environment
- Focus on learning, confidence, teamwork, and belonging
- Players practice, compete, and grow as part of a team
- A great place to build a lasting love for the game
THE TRAVEL PROGRAM: A more competitive environment for players ready for more
Travel is for players who want to challenge themselves in a more competitive soccer environment with a slightly heavier time commitment. Players should be ready for stronger opponents, more focused training, and games where the speed, intensity, and results carry more weight.
Travel still supports development, but the experience is designed for players who are motivated to compete at a higher level and continue pushing their game forward.
Key points:
Travel is for players who want to challenge themselves in a more competitive soccer environment with a slightly heavier time commitment. Players should be ready for stronger opponents, more focused training, and games where the speed, intensity, and results carry more weight.
Travel still supports development, but the experience is designed for players who are motivated to compete at a higher level and continue pushing their game forward.
Key points:
- Tryout or placement based
- Stronger opponents and more competitive games
- More focused training environment
- Greater intensity and challenge
- A good fit for players who want to take the next step
TOPS PROGRAM
Some players may benefit from a soccer environment with more individualized attention, additional support, and a pace that better matches their needs. SWSC offers a program for young athletes with special needs, ages 4–19, who want the opportunity to learn, play, and enjoy soccer in a welcoming setting. Players are supported by volunteer mentors and participate in activities designed to build confidence, movement, coordination, and soccer skills.
Some players may benefit from a soccer environment with more individualized attention, additional support, and a pace that better matches their needs. SWSC offers a program for young athletes with special needs, ages 4–19, who want the opportunity to learn, play, and enjoy soccer in a welcoming setting. Players are supported by volunteer mentors and participate in activities designed to build confidence, movement, coordination, and soccer skills.
U19 COED DIVISION
This is our coed division for high school-aged players who want to play soccer in a fun, active, and team-centered environment. This division is open to a wide range of players, including those who have played for years, those returning to soccer, and players who are brand new to the game.
The goal is to give older players a positive place to stay active, compete, play with friends, learn the game, and continue enjoying soccer in a more relaxed setting. U19 Rec is a great option for players who want to be part of a team without the higher commitment of a travel or school-season schedule.
This is our coed division for high school-aged players who want to play soccer in a fun, active, and team-centered environment. This division is open to a wide range of players, including those who have played for years, those returning to soccer, and players who are brand new to the game.
The goal is to give older players a positive place to stay active, compete, play with friends, learn the game, and continue enjoying soccer in a more relaxed setting. U19 Rec is a great option for players who want to be part of a team without the higher commitment of a travel or school-season schedule.
TOPS PROGRAM
Some players may benefit from a soccer environment with more individualized attention, additional support, and a pace that better matches their needs. SWSC offers a program for young athletes with special needs, ages 4–19, who want the opportunity to learn, play, and enjoy soccer in a welcoming setting. Players are supported by volunteer mentors and participate in activities designed to build confidence, movement, coordination, and soccer skills.
Some players may benefit from a soccer environment with more individualized attention, additional support, and a pace that better matches their needs. SWSC offers a program for young athletes with special needs, ages 4–19, who want the opportunity to learn, play, and enjoy soccer in a welcoming setting. Players are supported by volunteer mentors and participate in activities designed to build confidence, movement, coordination, and soccer skills.
