Age Group Transition FAQs
What is the "age group transition"?
Starting in the Fall 2026/27 season, youth player age groups will be organized by school year (Aug 1- July 31) rather than by calendar year (Jan 1-Dec 31).
Who made this decision?
Earlier this year, the governing bodies of soccer in the US - USYS, US Club, US Soccer – made the decision to shift to the Aug 1-July 31 age group classification.
What is the purpose of the change?
To align soccer teams with the school year, helping to reduce “trapped” players, i.e., players (usually with birthdates in the last quarter of the year) who continue in high school after the rest of their cohort have moved on.
Will registration now be based on the player's grade in school?
Not exactly. While age groups will continue to be determined by birth date, the birth date window will shift from Jan- Dec to Aug-July. Players attending a grade outside of their age cohort will play in the group that corresponds to their date of birth.
What players are most likely to shift age groups?
Players with birthdays in August through December will be affected by the change, as based on the new age groupings they will remain in their current age group for 2026/27. For example, a player with an October 2016 birth date (current U10) could remain a U10 for the 2026/27 season.
Can my player play up an age group to remain with his/her current team?
Possibly. Current players may be considered to play up, but this is at the club’s discretion and subject to evaluations, final selection, and registration numbers. Players interested in playing up must register for both their current age group and answer the question within the registration.
Can younger players born in August and September play up to remain with other players in their grade?
Again, approval for playups will be a board decision made in the player’s best developmental interest. Grade alone will not guarantee a play up approval.
Will evaluations be done this year?
Yes, evaluations for the Fall 2026/Spring 2027 season will take place in May 2026 for the U10, U11, and U12 divisions. A play-up game will also be offered for U9 in-house players, as in past years, to give them the opportunity to experience the larger field.
What is the difference between in-house and travel soccer?
In-house soccer is a recreational program focused on skill development, fun, and local play within the club. It typically involves one practice per week and games played against other TJSC teams.
Travel soccer is a more competitive and higher-commitment program and is separate from the in-house program. It is designed for players seeking a more challenging level of play. Teams typically practice multiple times per week and compete in games against other clubs in the surrounding area. Travel also includes evaluations, team selection, and additional costs such as uniforms.