ABOUT SPORTING VERMONT

Vermont's Statewide Player Development Program

Sporting Vermont is the Vermont Soccer Association’s statewide player development initiative, created to support our member clubs by providing additional opportunities for players and coaches across the state.

Every day, clubs throughout Vermont invest countless hours developing players, educating coaches, and creating meaningful soccer experiences within their communities. Sporting Vermont exists to complement and enhance that work.

Rather than operating separately from the club environment, Sporting Vermont serves as an extension of it. Through collaboration with clubs, player identification, high-quality training, and carefully selected competition opportunities, the program provides Vermont’s top identified players with additional experiences while keeping clubs at the center of the player development journey.

Through this program, the Vermont Soccer Association aims to:

Support Vermont clubs.
Create meaningful development opportunities.
Provide players with exposure and competitive experiences.
Enhance the player pathway in Vermont.

Sporting Vermont is designed to give players opportunities they may not otherwise experience while proudly representing Vermont alongside the top identified players from across the state.

The Sporting Vermont Pathway

Sporting Vermont provides a statewide player pathway, beginning at U10 and continuing through U17 through the Vermont Soccer Association.

Each stage of the program has been intentionally designed to meet players where they are in their development while maintaining strong partnerships with their clubs.

Sporting Vermont Juniors (U10–U11)

The Sporting Vermont Juniors program serves as the entry point into the Vermont Soccer Association’s state program.

Created specifically for younger players and their families, the Sporting Juniors program introduces players to the Sporting Vermont environment while emphasizing enjoyment, technical development, creativity, and confidence on the ball.

The program focuses on:

Technical Development
Freedom of Expression
Creativity
Decision Making
Positive Learning Experiences

Players train together on scheduled Saturdays throughout the fall before attending one carefully selected event that introduces families to the Sporting Vermont experience without an extensive travel commitment.

Sporting Vermont (U12–U17)

The U12–U17 program is the core of the Vermont Soccer Association’s state program.

Players participate in scheduled Saturday training sessions throughout the season while remaining fully committed to their club teams.

The Saturday training model allows Vermont’s top players to train together in a high-performance environment while continuing to represent and develop within their home clubs.

Throughout the season, each team attends three carefully selected events designed to provide a balanced combination of:

High-Level Competition
Player Exposure Opportunities
Meaningful Developmental Experiences

Each event has been selected to challenge players in different environments while exposing them to high-quality competitions outside of Vermont.

Training schedules and event calendars are built to complement club commitments whenever possible.

Player Identification

The Vermont Soccer Association believes talented players can be found in every community throughout Vermont.

To ensure every player has an opportunity to be identified, selections are made through three pathways.

Club Recommendation

Our member clubs know their players best. Clubs are encouraged to recommend players they believe are ready for additional developmental opportunities and competition.

Vermont Soccer Association Staff Identification

Throughout the year, Vermont Soccer Association staff observe league matches, tournaments, showcases, and other events to identify players demonstrating the qualities necessary for the program.

Open ID Sessions

Open ID Sessions provide every player in Vermont with an opportunity to be evaluated regardless of club affiliation or previous involvement with the program.

Together, these three pathways ensure every player has a fair opportunity to be identified.

Sporting Vermont Staff

The Vermont Soccer Association staff leads the Sporting Vermont program.

Coaches are identified and selected from across the state by the Vermont Soccer Association. These staff coaches contribute to helping lead the program alongside Vermont Soccer Association staff.

Program Cost

The Vermont Soccer Association, as part of its goal to remove financial barriers, covers the operational costs of the program for all selected players U12 through U17. Families in the program are responsible for their uniform cost, and travel to the events. The Vermont Soccer Association is committed to making high-quality soccer opportunities accessible to everyone across Vermont.

2026–27 ID Sessions

Player identification for the 2026–27 Sporting Vermont cycle will be held on the following dates:

Session 1

Date: August 8-9, 2026
Location: Tree Farm Recreational Facility in Essex Junction, Vermont