Got Lightning? CHYSC Travel Soccer Deadline is Only Days Away

You've probably seen the yellow lawn signs: Registration is open for Chestnut Hill Youth Sports Club (CHYSC) soccer, the program that has been serving families in Northwest Philly and neighboring communities for decades. But please don't wait. If you know a boy or girl aged seven to 15 who's a strong player, loves the game, and is interested in improving his or her skills in a fun and supportive environment, the CHYSC Lightning—the club's travel program—is looking to grow, and the deadline for registering in time to try out for travel teams is Sunday, May 13. Tryouts start the next day. That's only days away!

Big things have been brewing with the Lightning. Enrollment for CHYSC travel soccer surged last year. New teams were created to accommodate increase participation, especially in the club's younger age cohorts. The travel program has redesigned its logo (check out my avatar), and new Lightning uniforms and spirit gear will be rolled out in the coming year.

CHYSC will be fielding boys and girls travel teams from the Under-9 through U-14 levels as well as girls U-15 and U-16 teams. All teams play a 10-game schedule in the Inter-County Soccer League starting the weekend after Labor Day and continuing through mid-November. Teams also participate in a pre-season tournament and a memorable two-day post-season tournament in the Lancaster area (my son, an 11-year-old, considers the latter his favorite event of the year—yes, that includes birthdays). Teams are selected in May through an open tryout process, with tryouts starting in the coming days (see tryout calendar). Registration will remain open after the May 13 travel soccer deadline and into the summer months for boys or girls interested in playing in CHYSC's excellent intramural program. To register or learn more, visit www.chysc.org.