Calendar Year and School Year

Background

Prior to 2017, youth soccer used a "School Year" system to identify the birthdates of players for the age level of teams and competitions.   Then youth soccer transistioned to a "Calendar Year" system.   For the Fall of 2026, youth soccet reverted back to a "School Year" system.  

 Calendar Year or School Year references the birth date of the players and what "Level" they play.   Level references the Unn designation of a competition.

 "Calendar Year" is used at international competitions.   Calendar Year is straight forward when designation what is the appropraite Level for a player.  Concepts of playing up are easy to understand and communicate.

"School Year" allows youth teams to have teammates also be classmates.  School Year is appropriate for recreational youth soccer and in regions where there are few teams.

Important

With the School Year system, it is CRITICAL that Team Managers, Tournament Directors, Club Officers, League Officials and Parents carefully monitor that players are correctly placed.   Any and every adult involved in managing youth soccer programs needs to be cognizant of the birthdate of players and the levels of teams and competitions.    History tells us that Mistakes will be made.   

 The mistakes can be devastating.   For example:

• a team that paid for a tournament might be in the wrong division and disqualified. 
• League schedules might have to be completely republished because there is a wrong age team.
• Come spring, some teams may want to "play up" and others do not - further complicating the landscape.   
• A player that has tried out, and practiced with a team all spring and summer, may be ineligible come the fall

Best is to check and double check player birthdates, and the applied for level of comeptition and the assigned level of competition, etc.  

 

Current Player Birthdate Matrix

Best practice is to find a current player birthdate matrix from AYSO, USYSA, USClub, etc. and reference it often when registering players, organizing leagues, and scheduling divisions.  Below is a link.   As this link may be out of date, again check that it is current and inform the webmaster@sftimeslots.org if the link is not working. 

US Club Soccer Player Birthdate Matrix.