FALL 2011 Travel Teams

SABA's reorganization and new structure for the Fall 2011 season has enabled the program to continue to provide outstanding coaching services to over 170 players in Brooklyn this fall season. Interest is growing daily, and the winter and spring seasons will bring more teams
into the mix of SABA’S existing travel program.

Take a look at the SABA travel teams below for all game and practice info, as well as pictures and videos.

HISTORY OF SABA
IN BROOKLYN AND TRAVEL TEAMS

The Raiders and the Elmont girls' success

Training in Brooklyn began in the fall of 2000 when Harry Triana began working with the Raiders. Quality and Results have enabled SABA to gain a reputation as an organization making great strides in the community. The Raiders were made up of a group of Brooklyn girls who wanted to compete in a more organized and competitive venue. For that, the team needed to enter the Long Island Junior Soccer League. This league is more structured and competitive then the current Cosmopolitan League set up. The Raiders went on to achieve great success representing SABA and Elmont. They began in the lower levels of the LIJSL (Division 6) and moved up divisions as they captured league titles, eventually playing in Northeast Premiere League.

The Raiders set the foundation for future Brooklyn girls at SABA to join the Elmont ranks. Over 100 Brooklyn girls have trained under SABA and played in Elmont since the Raiders.

The resurrection of Gjoa

In the spring of 2006, SABA began the task of resurrecting Gjoa Soccer Club, which was down to one team made up of less then 9 players. Under SABA's guidance, the Gjoa Club gained tremendous popularity. Entering the Spring 2009 season, the club increased to 11 teams playing in the CJSL under the Gjoa banner. In the spring of 2011, there were 21 teams at Gjoa being trained and coached by SABA. All teams were trained and coached in the SABA curriculum from 2006 to the spring of 2011. Parent and player guidelines, age group expectations, and objectives were put in place by SABA.

The FUTURE of SABA and our new affiliates

SABA decided that a true development path was needed for ALL players within a club structure in order to provide players of ALL LEVELS and ages a chance to succeed. In order to achieve this, the new Academy structure was put in place for the Fall 2011 season, enabling all players under SABA's guidance the chance to properly develop in the same manner as the country's top clubs and the world's leading academies.

SABA's training methods will continue to provide a positive impact on all players in the Academy. SABA players will be recognized for their success on the field and in the community.

SPD INITIATIVE for the Elite Players of New York City

In March of 2011, SPD (SABA Player Development) made its debut at the Jefferson Cup, in Virginia. SPD is an initiative that brings in the top talent in New York City once a week and provides them to train alongside committed and focused players looking to excel at the
highest levels of travel soccer. SPD does not conflict with club soccer and works on the "club/country" model, enabling players to play in SPD tournaments when not with their club teams.

SPD has won the Jefferson Cup in Virginia and after a week of training at world-renown Ajax, captured the Haarlem Easter Cup in Holland. SPD has drawn over 30 players from 9 different New York City Clubs as well as Maryland.

SPD New York vs Bethesda Maryland

Read more info on SABA'S 2011 Academy structure and player development objectives. CLICK HERE FOR PDF.