As we prepare for the upcoming seasonal year, the Nelson County Youth Soccer Association (NCYSA) would like to inform you of an important update regarding age group registration that will take effect beginning Fall 2026.

In accordance with a recent mandate from U.S. Youth Soccer and U.S. Club Soccer, youth soccer organizations nationwide including NCYSA’s recreational, U9 Academy and Nelson Elite teams will transition from the current birth-year registration model back to a school-year age group model, using an August 1 to July 31 cutoff. This change will apply to all NCYSA recreational, u9 academy and Nelson Elite teams beginning Fall 2026.Rationale for the Change

The purpose of this nationwide transition is to better align youth soccer with the academic calendar. Under the birth-year model, players within the same school grade were often divided across different age groups, which in some cases resulted in players being placed in older divisions or teams struggling with roster continuity in later years.

By returning to an August 1 cutoff date:

•  The majority of players will compete alongside classmates in the same school grade.

•  Team age groups will align more naturally with academic progression.

•  Player development environments will be more consistent both socially and competitively.

NCYSA’s Commitment to Our Players:

We recognize that changes of this nature may raise questions regarding team placement and roster continuity. Please be assured of the following:

•  Player Development Priority All decisions will be guided by what best supports each player’s long-term development.

•  Preservation of Age Groups NCYSA is committed to maintaining strong, sustainable teams at every age level. We will make reasonable adjustments when possible to prevent an age group from dissolving due to roster size.

•  Individual Consideration While players will not be placed on teams for the purpose of maintaining social groups, special circumstances may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis when appropriate.

•  Team Formation Process Player evaluations and team placements will reflect the new age group structure. Coaching staff will carefully consider player development, roster balance, and overall numbers before finalizing teams.

•  Club-Wide Implementation This change is mandatory for all teams. To remain compliant with national governing bodies and league eligibility requirements, NCYSA will implement the school-year model uniformly across the entire club.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will my child’s age group be determined under the new model? 

Beginning Fall 2026, teams will be organized using the August 1–July 31 school-year calendar. A player’s age group will be determined by their age as of July 31 of the upcoming seasonal year. This structure is intended to place most players alongside peers in the same academic grade.

Will my child remain with the same team/teammates as previous season? 

Due to the change in age group structure, some team rosters will shift. While many players may find themselves with school peers, team compositions may differ from previous seasons. Placement decisions will prioritize roster balance and long-term development rather than maintaining existing social groups.

Are players permitted to compete in an older age group (“play up”)? 

Playing up will not be used as a means to preserve existing teams or friendships. However, NCYSA leadership may review unique situations individually when necessary. Any placement outside of a player’s designated age group must support the player’s developmental needs, the stability of the age group, and the overall strength of the club.

Does this change apply to all divisions and programs with NCYSA? 

Yes. This policy applies to all age groups within NCYSA including recreational, U9 academy, and Nelson Elite soccer, both boys’ and girls’ programs.

When will the new age structure take effect? 

The new age group structure will be implemented beginning with Fall 2026 team formation. All evaluations and roster decisions moving forward will reflect the school-year model.

When will tryouts for the 2026-2027 season take place? 

We hope to have the tryout information posted in early May. Tryouts will take place end of May and early June.

Who will be my coach? 

We plan to have the coaches for each age group listed in early May, when we post tryout information. 

What does the Birth Year Calendar look like?