For the the average weekend youth soccer player and family that really enjoys the game, and is successful
at the recreational level, many start to wonder is there some sort of "all star" team available. A place
where the coaching and competition is even more challenging. Under PA. West Youth Soccer Assoc. there are
about 55,000. players in Western PA
Division III - is the fun, everyone plays, recreation league that starts at age 5
Division II - Is the community travel team in various age groups that play other towns on Sunday afternoons.
Division I - Is the best of the community teams playing the other best teams in Western PA.
Classic League - Teams from a region representing multiple clubs. There are about 15 regional clubs with
players from many communities playing at the highest level for that single age group, starting at U-12 thru U-19.
Premier Teams - are the top four classic teams in the State Cup playoff each Spring in each age group.
The Keystone Soccer Club of Central PA is excited to be part of the PA West Youth Soccer Association at the Classic
League level. Currently we have 7 age group teams; 3 girls and 4 boys age group teams. There is a Fall
season for the younger age teams, but when High School age is reached there is just a Spring season. There are
approximately 8 league games in the Fall and 6 in the Spring. In late May and early June there is the Pa. West
State Cup tournament to determine the Western PA champions in each age group.
The player skill,
speed and team play is demanding, the competition is intense, but future development is still the main goal of
our teams. We play some excellent teams. All games are on Saturday's. Some of the players also play on their
local club's travel team on Sundays, you would not have to give up that membership.
Our club draws select players from towns all over the counties of Centre, Huntingdon, Blair, Cambria, Bedford,
including towns as far away as DuBois and Clearfield. Clearly we are spread out and use Hollidaysburg fields
for practice and home games; this is geographically central. Our away games however, are often in the Pittsburgh
area and test the commitment of the families and players. Car pooling is common.
There are tryouts in late June and early July. The players feel very proud to be chosen, especially after all the
hard work in getting their play to this level. Once selected you are on the team for the next year until the
next summer's tryouts.
Isn’t all this expensive? Good question. The annual cost is $350.00 for referees, coaches, equipment, tournament
registrations and club membership. Uniforms and optional tournament fees can be extra based on team and family
consensus. The financial commitment is much lower than many other Classic teams, but with travel, tournaments
and extras it should not be dismissed lightly.
There is no getting around it, Classic Teams require a commitment to travel, practice and a desire to focus on
soccer first. There is an expectation that other local teams and sports will be secondary during the Fall and
Spring seasons. We go beyond the local clubs in many ways. Not only do we have to do our homework (training),
but various tournaments are entered, friendly games played, indoor opportunities are offered, clinics recommended,
international travel can be available and the team often attends a soccer camp together in the summer.
It is an exceptional opportunity for development and lots of fun of course.
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