Northern Chautauqua Soccer Association's (NCSA) NC Concord U14 Boys win first place at the Southern Tier Travel Soccer League 2011 Tournament. (Photo courtesy of STTSL.org)

DUNKIRK, NY – The spring travel season for the competitive branch of the Northern Chautauqua Soccer Association (NCSA) will kick off soon.

The travel club known as NC Concord competes in the Southern Tier Travel Soccer League (STTSL). This year the club will field teams in the U10 co-ed, U12, U14, and U17 boys and girls divisions.

Player registration will be held on Thursday, Feb. 9 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Dunkirk Recreation Center, located on the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds.

Registration fees are $85 for the U10 co-ed and U12 division and $100 for U14 and U17 divisions. There is a $60 uniform fee for new players only.

Need based scholarships are available on a limited basis. Forms are available online at www.myncsa.com and at the recreation center.

The STTSL was established in 1991, to fill the need for a more competitive program than the summer recreational model for committed, talented youth soccer players. Teams from Chautauqua County participate, as well as teams from Erie County, Cattaraugus County and Bradford, PA.

Last year, both NC Concord U14 boys and U14 girls’ teams won their division championship games, held at the Town of Ellery Park and hosted by the Bemus Area Youth Soccer Organization (BAYSO).

Bi-weekly practices for travel soccer begin indoors in March and outdoors as soon as the weather permits. Games are typically held on Sunday afternoons, beginning in early May and concluding with the play-off tournament at the end of June.

Plans are underway for all NC Concord teams to participate in a tournament in June.

Highlights of the STTSL include the STAR program, in which a patch is awarded to one player per team each game for the star qualities of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, Attitude and Respect. STAR patch recipients are selected by their opponents at the end of each game. In addition, the league has created a zero tolerance policy for players, coaches, and spectators, in order to promote positive interactions with officials. To learn more about the STTSL visit www.sttsl.org.

This year NC Concord seeks qualified coaches to apply for paid positions as head coach and assistant coach for each team.

“We are looking for coaches with soccer knowledge, coaching experience, a solid understanding of youth physical and socio-emotional development, a strong commitment to program growth, and an approach that is positive and character-building,” said Janey Wagner, NC Concord Coaching Director.

Interested coaching applicants can apply by requesting an application at janey_wagner@yahoo.com. Questions about NC Concord should be directed to Program Director Pattie MacKinnon at ncconcord04@hotmail.com.