Brooklyn Travel Soccer

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The Gjøa Travel Soccer program is for players seeking a greater commitment to the game and a high level of competition. They may also be on a path to play in high school, college, and beyond.

Teams practice twice weekly in fall and spring with a game on the weekend and practice once a week indoors at Socceroof during the winter. There is also an optional extra weekly practice and a weekly GK training session.

Gjøa Travel Soccer has teams for girls and boys ages 6-18. Each team is led by a USSF and/or UEFA licensed professional coach, teaching our curriculum which is based on an attacking, possession-based style where each player has the opportunity for many touches of the ball. Gjøa players are encouraged to play in a technical and attractive style, taking risks and playing creatively.

While Travel Soccer comes with expectations and high standards, the Gjøa philosophy is to teach girls and boys in a supportive, nurturing environment that emphasizes fun.

What are the fees for Travel Soccer?
$2,200 for the 2022/23 soccer year, late-August to mid-June, for players U9-U19.
Girls and Boys U7 and U8 is $1,450. Fees cover professional coaching, winter field space at Socceroof, league registration fees, referees, insurance, one indoor tournament and much more. The cost of the uniform is separate, see below.

Do you offer financial assistance?
For players with aptitude and commitment, need-based partial scholarships are available for families through an application process. Once invited to register for Travel Soccer, a financial aid option is available at checkout, and instructions are provided to complete the financial aid application. For questions about financial aid email info@gjoa.org.

How much are uniforms?
Uniforms are purchased from soccer.com. The full uniform kit is purchased on a two-year cycle and 2022/23 is the second year of the current cycle. Players must purchase the required full Adidas Gjøa kit: home and away jerseys, shorts, socks, practice shirt, warm-up top and pants, and backpack. The required kit costs about $260 in full. Instructions for purchase are emailed after registration is completed.

What is the selection process?
All players attend tryouts, which can be an organized group tryout, team practices, or both. Coaches evaluate players and make selections based on ability, team roster needs, and other factors. Once tryouts are completed, the coaching staff makes selections and all attendees receive an email, which will be either an offer of a roster spot, a request for another tryout session, placement on a waitlist, or a recommendation to another Gjøa program.

When are the seasons?
Each travel year begins around the last week of August and ends in mid-June. There are fall and spring league seasons with a game most weekends and practices twice weekly. In winter, from early November to mid-March, practices are held once a week at Brooklyn’s premier indoor turf-field space, Socceroof, with optional tournaments on select weekends.

Where and when are practices?
U7-U19 teams practice during the fall and spring twice weekly on either Monday & Wednesday or Tuesday & Thursday. In the winter, teams practice once a week on one of those same practice days. Practice days, times, and locations are usually announced in July for fall and February for spring. Practice day and time for the winter season at Socceroof is announced in October and will be on one of the days the team already practices. Assigned fall and spring practice locations may include the Parade Ground, Red Hook, Washington Park/JJ Byrne, Pier 5, and more.

Where and when are games?
Games are played primarily on Saturdays, sometimes on Sundays, in fall and spring. Weekend tournaments on select weeks in the winter are optional, and some teams may enter tournaments in fall and spring. Our home field is Dyker Beach Park. Most away games are in the five boroughs within the CJSL, but for our teams playing in EDP or LIJSL, away games may be further afield in Long Island, Westchester, etc.

What is the player commitment level and expectations for Travel Soccer?
Travel soccer comes with a high level of commitment. Although we recognize that there can sometimes be schedule conflicts, players are expected to attend all practices, games, and events throughout the entire soccer year. When a conflict arises, players (or parents) must notify the coach in advance and give the reason for the absence. Players that have a high rate of absenteeism can expect reduced playing time and are at risk of losing their spot on the roster.  However, the coach will work with parents to correct any such issues. Communication is vital.

How much playing time does each player get?
All players can expect to play at least 50% of every game, barring injury or other factors such as absenteeism, commitment, and/or behavior problems.  Our goal is to develop players, not win at all costs.