FAQs

PreK age group: 3–4-year-olds (3 years old by August 1st).

Players should have the following items to participate: a size 4 soccer ball, soccer cleats (not baseball), shin guards, and a water bottle (not required but strongly advised).

A full listing of field locations can be found on our Field Locations page.

Safety is always our first priority. As long as the fields are safe to play on, BAC makes every attempt to hold practices and games. If the weather becomes too inclement, parents will receive an email. It will also be posted on our Facebook Page. Be sure to follow it to keep up with all BAC notifications.

BAC fields boys and girls travel teams from U8 through U19. Fall season covers U8–U15 and Spring season covers U8–U19.

Tryouts for the 2026–27 season are held in May at Legacy Park in Bedford. Tryout dates are May 5, 7, 12, and 14 with a rain date of May 18. Sessions are 45 minutes per age group and include warm-up, athletic tests, and 5v5 scrimmages. All players are evaluated by BAC coaches and Elite UK Soccer trainers.

BAC uses a pod model for team formation. All players in an age group participate in a pool tryout and are evaluated on technical skills, athleticism, effort, and attitude on a 1–5 scale. Designated BAC volunteer coaches and Elite UK trainers make roster placements. Placements are one-way for the season — changes are only made for injury, safety, or administrative reasons.

Travel teams typically practice twice per week during the Fall and Spring seasons — each roughly 10 weeks long. One session is coach-led, focused on team tactics and game preparation. The other is a trainer-led skills development session run by Elite UK Soccer professionals. Games are typically on weekends — roughly half at home in Bedford, half away.

At younger ages, the emphasis is on learning, development, and playing multiple positions — with broad, meaningful playing time for all players. As players get older, minutes may vary based on attendance, effort, readiness, and game needs. Coaches communicate playing-time expectations clearly.

Yes. However, when a player joins a BAC Travel team, they are making a commitment to their coaches, teammates, and the club. Players are expected to attend scheduled practices and games to ensure team cohesion and development. If a player is unable to meet this expectation due to other commitments, families should discuss this with the coaching staff before the season starts.

Travel program fees cover NHSL league registration, professional training with Elite UK Soccer, field use, uniforms (on a two-year cycle), referee fees, and insurance. Exact fees vary by season and are communicated during registration. BAC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and offers financial assistance — contact us for details.

Yes. BAC provides year-round soccer opportunities. Winter includes futsal leagues and indoor training sessions. Summer features Elite UK Soccer camps leading into Fall tryouts. These are optional but highly encouraged to keep players developing.

All BAC coaches are parent volunteers who complete background checks and SafeSport certification — no exceptions. Coaches also have access to The Coaching Manual, a professional coaching platform, and receive support from Elite UK Soccer trainers. BAC assigns a Pod Lead for each age group to mentor coaches and ensure consistency across teams.

We ask all families to provide positive support for all players and respect for referees. Let coaches coach, let players play, and cheer for effort and teamwork. A positive sideline culture is essential to the player experience and reflects the values of our club.

Starting Fall 2026, BAC is adopting the USYS seasonal-year age group cycle (August 1 – July 31), replacing the previous calendar-year grouping. This is a national change that better aligns soccer age groups with school years. For complete details, see our dedicated Age Group Change FAQ.

BAC runs entirely on parent volunteers — coaches, team managers, board members, and organizers. Whether you’ve coached before or just want to pitch in, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at TravelProgram@BedfordAC.com to get involved.