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Younger age, grade above
Example: Emma Birthday: August 25, 2021 Age on 9/1/2026: 5 School grade: Kindergarten Soccer age group: U5 Emma is old enough for Kindergarten because she turned 5 before 9/1/2026, but by the soccer matrix she falls into U5, not U6. SWSC: U5 Team with optional U6 to Grade Align? Are we evaluating these kids? (I think this is where the confusion is) This would NOT be the playing up policy this would be Grade aligned. Older age, grade below Example: Jack Birthday: September 10, 2020 Age on 9/1/2026: 5 School grade: Kindergarten Soccer age group: U6 Jack is also in Kindergarten, but because his birthday is after August 1, he falls into U6. SWSC : this is correct and aligned. Older age, grade below(Travel) Example: Jenna Birthday: October 17, 2017 Age on 9/1/2026: 8 School grade: 3rd Soccer age group: U9 Jenna is in 3rd grade, but because her birthday is after August 1, she falls into U9. If she is on a U9 travel team currently, she would have to ask for a "Play Up Evaluation" to move to U-10. SWSC : Correct the "Play Up" policy would come into play. Playing with a soccer age above your grade alignment requires an evaluation. Younger 3rd Grader Example: Olivia Birthday: August 20, 2018 Age on 9/1/2026: 7 School Grade: 3rd Grade Soccer Age Group: U8 Olivia is one of the youngest students in her grade because she turned 5 just before the school cutoff when starting Kindergarten. Even though she is in 3rd grade, she is still only 7 years old on 9/1/2026 and falls into U8 for soccer. Meanwhile, many of her classmates in 3rd grade may already be 8 and play U9. SWSC U8, but will have the option to play U9 with her grade if there is room. This is NOT PLAYING UP POLICY, THIS IS GRADE ALIGNMENT. Are we evaluating those? (no, but....) The concern is, if this was a player a few years older, so they are trying out for U11 grade appropriate, lets say, and they are age appropriate for U10. We allow them, without evaluation to tryout with U11, they could be cut. We gather the coaches current player list for top 3 bottom 3 and any potential cuts. If any player applied for an exception and is flagged as a potential cut, we should go evaluate so we can properly advise the family if they should actually consider having their kid play with age appropriate players to avoid being cut. Older 8th Grader (U15) Example: Tyler Birthday: August 10, 2011 Age on 9/1/2026: 15 School Grade: 8th Grade Soccer Age Group: U15 Tyler started school a year later because his parents chose to wait an extra year before Kindergarten. Even though he is still in 8th grade, he turns 15 during the soccer year and falls into U15. Some of his classmates may still be U14. SWSC: Must play U15 Not allowed to play younger by US Youth Soccer: This is NOT PLAYING UP POLICY, JUST AGE ALIGNMENT |
