Beginning with the 2026-2027 seasonal year, Springs Soccer Club will be moving to a school year calendar age grouping method for all programs including Travel and Recreation.

Age groups will change from being formed by January 1-December 31 birth year to an August 1-July 31 age grouping based on school grade.

The school year model better aligns with academic calendars, supports social development among peers, and improves player retention by allowing teammates to progress together through both school and soccer.

To calculate your player's soccer age, determine if they fall within the birthdate ranges listed below or use the U.S. Soccer age group formation tool.

EXAMPLE: In the 2026-2027 seasonal year, if your child is born in October 2016, they fall within the school year range of August 1, 2016 - July 31, 2017. That places them in the U10 age group for the 2026-2027 season.

A: US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, American Youth Soccer Association, Girls Academy, and MLS Next Academy Division have decided to move to an age group formation that changes from January 1-December 31 birth year player placement, to the school age group calendar of August 1-July 31 placement to better align players with their school grade peers.

A: The change will go into effect for the 2026-2027 season. There is no change during the

current 2025-2026 season.

A: See the age group calculator table above or utilize the U.S. Soccer Age Group Formation Tool.

A: U.S. Soccer has established the August 1-July 31 birth-year period as the most widely adopted and consistent model across the country. As a member club, we follow this national standard to ensure that our players are aligned with age groups used in leagues, tournaments, development pathways, and college recruiting across the U.S. We recognize that there is no single, universal birth-date protocol used nationwide. Different organizations and school systems follow different calendars, which can understandably create confusion. We understand

that this may place some players - particularly those born in August and September - on teams with peers who may not match their school grade peers. While this may feel unfamiliar at first, please know that this is a nationwide system and not a club-specific decision. All clubs in our leagues follow the same structure, so competitive balance remains consistent. Our focus is on player development, and we will work to ensure every child is placed in an environment that fits their developmental needs and long-term growth

A: Yes, a player may be chosen to play up. The decision on player placement is made by coaching staff and technical leadership with several factors in mind - player skill level, soccer maturity, current development level, predicted future development level, and player commitment.

A player who is selected to play up for one season may continue to play up during additional

seasons or be placed back with their appropriate peer group at some point.

A: No, players are not allowed to play down an age group. Players who were held back a grade in school will play with their appropriate age group based on their birth date.

A: Players born in August through December may be more likely to shift age groups. Some team rosters will change with players staying at the appropriate level with their school aged peers or playing up. Players who stay at the appropriate age group per their birthdate have the benefit of gaining more confidence and leadership skills.

A: Tryout registration will be based on a player's date of birth and not their grade level in school. Players who have been held back a year in school will not be affected.

A: Tryouts will be primarily for Springs Soccer Club recreation players or players from outside the club and will be based on the August 1-July 31 age group formation and not by birth year. Many current Springs Soccer Club travel players will receive rolling offers prior to tryouts and

will be placed on rosters based on their performance and developmental progress throughout the 2025-2026 season. Current Springs Soccer Club Travel players who do not receive an offer prior to tryouts should attend the scheduled tryouts for further evaluation. More details about the tryout process will be communicated once they are finalized.

A: The goal is to announce the slate prior to official ID Sessions in the winter and before the start of the travel team tryouts in the spring. Typically, coaching assignments for most competitive teams are announced first - ahead of their respective ID Sessions - while assignments for the remaining travel teams are announced prior to spring tryouts.

A: Tryout registration will be based on a player's date of birth and not their grade level in school. Players who have been held back a year in school will not be affected.