All grades are for Fall 2026 School year, not current.

3rd Grade
Tryout Date #1: Sunday 5/31 @ Nahanton
Tryout Date #2*: Sunday 6/14 @ Nahanton
1pm, 2:30pm or 4pm (pending numbers)
*Tryout Date 2 time cannot be requested

4th Grade
Sunday 6/7 @ Nahanton
1pm, 2:30pm or 4pm (pending numbers)

5th Grade
Sunday 6/7 @ Oak Hill
1pm, 2:30pm or 4pm (pending numbers)

6th Grade
Sunday 5/31 @ Oak Hill
1pm, 2:30pm or 4pm (pending numbers)

7th Grade
Evaluation Date #1: Friday 6/5 @ The Fessenden School
Evaluation Date #2*: Tuesday 6/16 @ Weeks
5pm or 6:30pm
*Eval #2 time cannot be requested

8th Grade
Evaluation Date #1: Friday 6/5
Evaluation Date #2*: Tuesday 6/16 @ Weeks
5pm or 6:30pm
*Eval #2 time cannot be requested

GOALKEEPER TRYOUTS

In additional to regular BAYS tryouts, we will be holding one goalkeeper specific tryout for our rising 6th, 7th and 8th grade players. The tryout is for players who are interested in being placed on a team to play at least 50% of each game as a designated GK. Players must also attend their regularly scheduled age group tryout.

This GK tryout, is in addition to their age group specific tryout.

Date: TBC

Location: Weeks
Time: 5-6pm

REGISTER HERE 

In order to tryout, you must first register and pay for 2026/27 Travel Soccer season. Registration for the Travel program will automatically enroll the player into a Tryout Session.  The fee is refundable if a player withdraws before July 1.  If a player is not placed onto a travel team the fee is refundable although these players are automatically enrolled into the IM program and encouraged to play in that program.  The travel fee can be applied to the IM Fall Season fee with the difference refunded.

All 7th and 8th grade registrants are placed. We do not guarantee placement for all of our 3rd-6th grade players. The travel is a competitive team program and is not suitable for all. We have a great intramural program for those players and those who are looking for a lower level of commitment.

Players should wear cleats, shinpads, and wear appropriate training gear. The tryouts will consist of a series of scrimmages that allow independent evaluators to assess their level of play.  Our goal is to provide the appropriate team that matches the skill level of the child.  This will give them the best experience learning and playing soccer. 

Due to the large number of players involved, NYS does not offer makeup tryouts.  If your child has an unavoidable conflict please speak with your child's coach and the appropriate age group coordinator.

3rd Grade: Karl Berntorp
4th Grade: Stephanie Griglun
5th Grade: Bob Varelas
6th Grade: Matt Cusick
7th Grade: Open - contact our DOC
8th Grade: Ali Thurber

Travel Director: Costas Pavlides

How to tryouts work

Players of the same rising grade group will arrive for 45minute-1hour slot and play four (4), 4v4 scrimmages. Players are divided by an algorithm for each game ensuring that they play with and against different players in each game. Each game lasts around 10-12 minutes. If we have more than 8 players per field, we’ll rotate subs in.

For 7th and 8th grade players, a second session featuring larger sided games will also happen

Do current players need to attend tryouts?

Yes – all players, new or returning, must attend tryouts.

Do teams change from year to year?

We encourage movement between teams to allow players who thrived in one environment to be challenged in a more competitive team. We want to place players in the most developmentally appropriate environment possible and that may mean moving up or down.

How many players are on a travel team roster?

Typically roster numbers are 12 for 3th/4th Grade, 14 for 5/6th Grade and 18-22 for 7th/8th Grade. We are limited by our league, BAYS, but we are typically well below their upper limit per grade.

Can my player play UP a grade group?

No – players must play their school grade group.

Does everyone get selected for a travel team?

Depending on the number of players trying out for the travel program, we aim to place as many players as is developmentally appropriate. As a base, 3rd grade will typically accept 72 players and we can add more as we go through the age groups.

All 7th and 8th grade players are placed.

What is the commitment for the travel program?

The travel program is a 2 season commitment, Fall AND Spring.

Can I register for a single season?

No – travel is a two-season commitment. For single season soccer, please consider the intramural program.

Who evaluates my player at tryouts?

We hire independent, professional evaluators for all our tryouts. No NYS coach, board member or other NYS volunteer is involved in the evaluation process. We do ask our current travel coaches to provide player feedback which aids in our placement process.

What if I cannot make the tryout date? Are there tryout other dates to tryout?

NYS is a large organization with many moving parts. We cannot offer and do not have alternative tryout dates for any grade. If you cannot make your tryout date, please contact your age group coordinator to explore any options.

I’m new to Newton and can’t attend tryouts, what can I do?

We do allow video submissions if you are a NEW player to the travel program or are NEW to Newton and cannot attend tryouts. Please reach out to your AGC to inquire.