Travel Team Selection Information

GRFC Team Selection Philosophy
The ultimate goal of this player selection process is to provide players with the best possible experience in an environment where they can grow as athletes and people. Our approach to player selection is aligned with Canada Soccer’s Long Term Player Development (LTPD) model of athlete development for Newfoundland and Labrador, which gives all players the best chance of success in soccer by tailoring training, competition and coaching to their needs at the appropriate stage of development. Furthermore, we are committed to developing a club for the entire community that supports and develops all players fairly.

GRFC recognizes that children develop physically, emotionally and mentally at different rates, and this needs to be considered when selecting players for teams. Players who play on teams that exceed their technical abilities, speed and desired level of commitment are more likely to have a negative experience. The LTPD model and GRFC believes that the right level of training and competition will facilitate their continued love of and participation in the sport

Team Purpose
Travel teams are teams that will go to 'Soccer Festivals', 'Tournaments', or potentially 'League Games' (in the case of U13 and U15), and therefore while the club is inclusive, teams in U11, U13, U15 and U17 will have selection processes. 

Team ‘Selection'
in accordance with the CSA Long Term Development Program for Newfoundland and Labrador in 2026 GRFC will not have tryouts for teams aged U7 - U13. This model states that the identification and placement process can be extremely stressful for young players. This is particularly true if player identification is done through a traditional “tryout”, which provides a relatively limited opportunity to demonstrate ability in an unfamiliar and high stress environment. In addition to being stressful on young players, tryouts are also not the most effective way to evaluate players.

Evaluating players on an ongoing basis over an extended period of time, preferably in an environment in which they are comfortable, is a better approach in terms of the effectiveness of the evaluation and in limiting the amount of stress on young players. For these reasons, tryouts or other similar evaluation events are not permitted in grassroots soccer in Canada up to and including U13.

Tiering of players and teams is not permitted before U11. Before U11, players should be grouped using a random* or balanced** approach.
Streaming*** of players can begin at U11; however, placement cannot be done through a tryout process.

* Random - Players are placed on teams by random selection with no evaluation process.
** Balanced - Players are placed on teams with other players of varying ability with a goal of creating teams of similar quality.
*** Streamed - Players are evaluated and placed on teams with other players of similar ability.

For GRFC, this means:

• The U7, U9, U11 and U13 travel teams will not have traditional 'try outs'.
• The U7 and U9 teams will have an emphasis on learning, having fun and attending festivals for experience. Where possible, multiple teams will be registered, and teams will be balanced. These teams will be available to players based interest and coach availability. These will be organized at the start of the summer program
• U11 and U13 will have initial planning sessions to identify age group numbers and interest, and establish what our coaching needs are. From this point onward, these age groups will train together, and GRFC will stream players for match days or tournaments according to extended training (5 - 6 sessions) performance and ability levels. *U11 will go to soccer 'festivals' where the emphasis is on learning and participation. U/13 will go to 'Rising Stars' tournaments which will have competitive structures and formats
• @U11, U13, U15 and U17, parents MUST agree to the conditions of tryouts when they register.
• All players wishing to be considered must be registered.
• Will be held in the last 2 weeks of May, 2026 @ the Gander Soccer Astro Fields
• U15 and U17 teams. These sessions will have skill, modified game and full game elements.
• More assessments may be organized depending on coach and selection committee availability

Western Central Championship League (WCCL)
For players in U13 and U15, GRFC will try to get involved in the WCCL. This provides further competitive opportunities for these players. The WCCL League Team will be required to travel some weekends to other clubs located in Central or Western NL. Therefore, this requires extra commitment. The WCCL teams will OPEN to players in the higher tier (Rep 1) team first. Based on player availability, the WCCL team will invite AP players or players in the second tier team (Rep 2) based on player ability and positional needs. 
*Registering for the GRFC Travel Teams to play in provincials or invitational tournaments does NOT mean you have to play WCCL. It is an opportunity for further development, competition and play.
*Dates for the WCCL will be shared once we know them. 

Registration Link: Click Here

Travel Team Policies

• Travel Team Selection Policy
• Player and Parent Agreement Policy
• Travel Policy

Important Dates
Below is a list of tournaments and dates we have been given for the upcoming summer! If you are looking to get involved or have any questions please reach out to us at ganderrevolution@gmail.com

Age Groups

For the 2026 season please see the table below for the age groups and birth years eligible for each one:

Age Group Planning Dates: