Travel Program
2026–27 Season Tryouts
Dates: May 5, 7, 12, 14 | Rain date: May 18
Location: Legacy Park, Bedford
Open to: Boys and girls entering age groups U8–U19
Players try out for both Fall and Spring seasons. Our goal is to meet every player where they are, placing each on a team that matches their development level. Players who do not make a travel team are welcome to join our rec program.
About the Program
Bedford Athletic Club (BAC) was formed in 2008 as a competitive club-travel youth soccer program 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 actual teams fielded each season depend on coaching capacity and the number of players registered, 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 who do not receive salary or fees for their services.
What to Expect
Practices — 2x Per Week
One session is coach-led, focused on team tactics and game preparation. The other is a trainer-led skills development session with Elite UK Soccer professionals.
Games — Bedford & Neighboring Towns
Weekend games through NHSL — roughly half at home in Bedford, half away at other NH towns. Teams also compete in regional tournaments, typically within New England.
Main Seasons — Fall & Spring
Fall (Aug–Nov) and Spring (Mar–Jun) are the primary NHSL competition seasons. Each season includes about 7–8 games, with playoffs spanning 1–2 weekends for older age groups. Spring training begins indoors before moving outside.
Play Soccer All Year Long
Soccer doesn’t stop. We offer futsal and winter training to keep players developing, plus summer camps heading into Fall tryouts. BAC provides soccer opportunities all year long.
Coaching & Player Development
Professional Training with Elite UK Soccer
BAC partners with Elite UK Soccer to provide professional-level training for our players. Led by Winston Haughton — a standout youth player with English Premier League side Aston Villa and semi-professional player in England — Elite UK’s staff leads one skills development session per week for each team. Their philosophy combines the love of the game with technical development, helping players build speed, confidence, and ball skills in a fun, competitive environment.
The Coaching Manual
All BAC coaches have access to The Coaching Manual, a professional coaching platform that provides structured session plans, drills, and development curricula. This helps standardize coaching across all age groups and ensures every player receives quality instruction, regardless of which team they’re on.
Safety & Compliance
Every volunteer coach and Elite UK trainer must complete a background check and SafeSport certification before working with players. Player safety is non-negotiable.
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
Below is a complete list of documents and resources available for BAC Travel families and coaches. These are 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)
- BAC Travel Soccer Program FAQ (Oct 2025) — General program FAQ covering registration, costs, expectations, and program overview
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)
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.
Quick Links
Quick links for current coaches and families with active players: