age group change

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Age Group Registration Moving to School-Year Model Beginning Fall 2026

Beginning in Fall 2026, Great Falls Reston Soccer Club (GFR) will transition from a birth-year (Jan 1 – Dec 31) registration model to an August 1 – July 31 (school-year) model. This shift aligns with clubs and leagues nationwide and returns youth soccer to the structure used prior to 2017.

Why GFR Is Making This Change

National organizations—including US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer, and AYSO—are moving back to a school-year age group structure. GFR will follow their guidance and implement the new system starting with the 2026–27 season.

This approach more closely reflects how families think about age and grade placement, and it supports more developmentally appropriate team formation.


Who This Impacts

This update applies to:

  • Travel Program
  • Recreation Program


GFR will consider a player’s school grade, skill level, maturity, and individual developmental needs when determining team placement.


Benefits for Players & Families

  • Players align more naturally with their school-grade peers
  • More opportunities to play with classmates and friends
  • Better development pathways by grouping athletes more appropriately
  • Reduction in “trapped player” situations between grade and age-group cohorts


What This Means for Your Family

  • No changes occur during the 2025–26 season.
  • Age groups will shift beginning Fall 2026.
  • Players born August–December will experience the most movement.


How GFR Will Support the Transition

  • No team changes will take effect until Fall 2026.
  • A detailed team placement process will be published Winter 2025/26.
  • We are committed to making the shift smooth and minimizing disruption.


Transition Timeline


Winter 2025
• First communication to families
• Updated age matrix, FAQs, and resource tools released


• Winter training & evaluation structure shared



Spring 2026
• Open tryouts and team placements begin using the new age cut-offs


Fall 2026
• All teams compete under the new age-group structure

Youth Age Group Matrix

Age Group 2025–26 Season (Jan 1 – Dec 31) 2026–27 Season (Aug 1 – July 31)
U6 Jan 1–Dec 31, 2020 Aug 1, 2020–July 31, 2021
U7 Jan 1–Dec 31, 2019 Aug 1, 2019–July 31, 2020
U8 Jan 1–Dec 31, 2018 Aug 1, 2018–July 31, 2019
U9 Jan 1–Dec 31, 2017 Aug 1, 2017–July 31, 2018
U10 Jan 1–Dec 31, 2016 Aug 1, 2016–July 31, 2017
U11 Jan 1–Dec 31, 2015 Aug 1, 2015–July 31, 2016
U12 Jan 1–Dec 31, 2014 Aug 1, 2014–July 31, 2015
U13 Jan 1–Dec 31, 2013 Aug 1, 2013–July 31, 2014
U14 Jan 1–Dec 31, 2012 Aug 1, 2012–July 31, 2013
U15 Jan 1–Dec 31, 2011 Aug 1, 2011–July 31, 2012
U16 Jan 1–Dec 31, 2010 Aug 1, 2010–July 31, 2011
U17 Jan 1–Dec 31, 2009 Aug 1, 2009–July 31, 2010
U18 Jan 1–Dec 31, 2008 Aug 1, 2008–July 31, 2009
U19 Jan 1–Dec 31, 2007 Aug 1, 2007–July 31, 2008
U20 Jan 1–Dec 31, 2006 Aug 1, 2006–July 31, 2007

2026–27 Age Group Transition FAQS

  • What is changing?

    Age groups will now follow an August 1 – July 31 cut-off instead of the current calendar-year model.

  • Why is this happening?

    The change aligns players with their school-year peers and eliminates situations where children are caught between age and grade cohorts.

  • Does this affect the 2025–26 season?

    No. All 2025–26 programs continue under the current system.

  • Can players play up?

    Playing up is determined by GFR’s technical staff based on:


    Skill


    Maturity


    Developmental needs


    A player who is selected to play up for one season may continue to play up during additional seasons, or be placed back with his/her appropriate peer group at some point. 


    As in previous years, any player who wants to attend tryouts for an older age group must obtain advance approval from GFR technical leadership to do so. He/She should talk to his/her current coach about, or reach out to the appropriate Age Group Director with, his/her request. Approval of such requests will be determined by technical leadership, with coaching staff input. Current GFR travel players will typically only play up if they are competitive and match the skill level to be placed on the top team in the age group they are seeking to play up in. Player development is unique to each player, and determinations about playing up will be made by technical staff through discussions with the parent(s) and player.

  • If my child is in a higher grade but born in Aug–Sept, can they play up?

    Grade is considered as part of the evaluation, but technical staff will still make the final decision.

  • When will families know their child’s 2026–27 age group?

    Refer to the birth year matrix and upcoming age group calculator.

  • Will tryouts change?

    Yes. Tryouts for the 2026–27 season will use the new cut-offs.

    Updated timelines and details will be released in early 2026.

  • Will teams be broken up?

    Some player movement is expected. Athletes will be placed where they can develop best.

  • Are August–December birthdays most affected?

    Yes. These players will experience the most age-group shifts.

  • Is registration based on school grade?

    No. Registration remains based on date of birth.

    Being held back or advanced in school will not change a player’s official age group.

  • Will all leagues GFR participates in follow this?

    Yes. All league partners are transitioning to the same Aug 1–July 31 structure.

  • Who can I contact with questions?

    td@gfrsoccerclub.org