Travel Program
Competitive soccer, built on community.
BAC Travel is where dedicated young players in Bedford take the next step — competing in the New Hampshire Soccer League with professional training, committed coaches, and a true club community behind them.
Our travel community comes together on game day.
Our boys teams, together after another great game.
Building skills and friendships from the start.
Competing across New Hampshire all season long.
About the Program
Bedford Athletic Club (BAC) formed its competitive club-travel youth soccer program in 2008 for the town of Bedford, New Hampshire. We are part of the New Hampshire Soccer League (NHSL) and field boys and girls teams across age groups U8 through U19. The teams fielded each season depend on coaching capacity and registration, but on average we have over 300 travel players per season.
BAC Travel is a 100% all-volunteer, parent-run organization operating as a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Every dollar from registration fees, sponsor fees, and donations goes directly back to the program — player insurance, equipment, professional training, tournament fees, uniforms, and facilities. All coaches and board members are volunteers.
Important: New Age Group Formation for Fall 2026
Beginning Fall 2026, BAC is moving to seasonal-year age groups (Aug 1–Jul 31) to align with national standards. See the parent FAQ and board-approved policy for placement, tryouts, play-up, and team naming details.
What to Expect
Practices — 2x Per Week
One coach-led session focused on team tactics and game prep, plus one trainer-led skills session with Elite UK Soccer professionals.
Games — Bedford & Beyond
Weekend NHSL games — about half home in Bedford, half away in nearby NH towns — plus regional tournaments across New England.
Fall & Spring Seasons
Fall (Aug–Nov) and Spring (Mar–Jun) are the primary NHSL seasons, each with about 7–8 games plus playoffs for older age groups.
Year-Round Soccer
Futsal and winter training keep players developing, and summer camps lead into Fall tryouts. Soccer doesn’t stop.
Coaching & Player Development
Elite UK Soccer
Professional-level training led by Winston Haughton (former Aston Villa youth and semi-pro in England). One skills session per team each week builds speed, confidence, and ball skills.
The Coaching Manual
All coaches use The Coaching Manual — structured session plans, drills, and curricula — so every player receives quality instruction regardless of team.
Safety & Compliance
Every coach and trainer completes a background check and SafeSport certification before working with players. Player safety is non-negotiable.
Is travel the right fit?
Travel soccer is for committed players ready for two sessions a week, weekend games, and a full Fall and Spring season. If your child is looking for a lower-commitment, fun introduction to the game, our recreational program may be the better place to start.
Year-Round Calendar
BAC offers soccer programming throughout the entire year. The main NHSL competition seasons are Fall and Spring, but we keep players active and developing all year long.
| Season | Timeframe | What’s Happening |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Aug – Nov | NHSL games + 2x/week practices (coach-led + Elite UK trainer-led). Main competition season. |
| Winter | Dec – Feb | Futsal and indoor training sessions to keep skills sharp during the off-season. |
| Spring | Mar – Jun | Indoor preseason training transitions to outdoor. NHSL games + practices resume. |
| Summer | Jul – Aug | Summer camps with Elite UK Soccer. Open training and preparation for Fall tryouts. |
Parent & Coach Resources
Documents and resources for BAC Travel families and coaches, maintained by the BAC Board and updated as needed.
For Parents
- Player & Parent Information Packet — Includes BAC’s Code of Conduct for parents, players, and coaches, plus essential season details on uniforms, weather cancellations, communication, and more
- Parent FAQ — New Age Group Formation — Answers to the most common questions about the Fall 2026 age group transition
- BAC Policy — New Age Group Formation — Board-approved policy document covering placement, tryouts, play-up, team naming, and more
- Age Group Chart — Official birth year and season matrix for U7–U19, effective Registration Year 2026/2027 (US Club Soccer source)
For Coaches
- Coach Information Packet — General season information and Coaches Code of Conduct covering commitment expectations, communication, uniforms, equipment, and coaching responsibilities
- GotSport for Coaches — Step-by-step guide for accessing your team and coach profile in GotSport, managing rosters, and navigating the platform
- Background Check & SafeSport — Instructions for completing your annual background check and SafeSport certification through GotSport (required before coaching)
- The Coaching Manual — Professional coaching platform with session plans, drills, and curricula (coaches will receive registration details from BAC)
Helpful Links
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about registration, costs, expectations, tryouts, or the age group transition? We’ve answered the most common ones on our FAQ page.
Get Involved
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.
Ready to play travel?
Tryouts are the first step each year. Review the details and register to find your player’s place on a BAC travel team.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Local business sponsors help keep BAC Travel affordable and every dollar in the program. We’re grateful for their support of Bedford’s players.
Bedford AC is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization run by volunteers. Questions about the travel program? Contact TravelProgram@BedfordAC.com.