Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is changing?

Youth soccer is changing the way it categorizes its teams from a birth year system to a grade based system, aligning with school grades across the country. Instead of grouping players strictly by birth year, teams will now be organized based on school grade, using an August 1–July 31 eligibility window.

2. Why is this change happening?

Over the course of a multi year observational study, the national organizations have found that player drop out is directly linked to their lack of connectivity with their school / class mates. Therefore, they have decided to change the way teams are formed.

3. What are the benefits of the grade level approach?

• Players are grouped with classmates and friends, adding to social development within team friend groups, aiming to prevent national dropout.
  
  

• Team continuity improves year to year, preventing ‘trapped players’ due to the birth year conflict with the US school grade system.

• Social and emotional development aligns better with competition.
  
  

• Transitions between school and soccer become more natural for families.
  
  

4. How does this affect my child?

For many families, this means little or no change. Most players will now play with others in their school grade. Some players who were previously playing in the school grade above based on birth year will be eligible to play with their grade-level team.

5. What if my child has a birthday between August 1 and December 31?

Players in this range who are already playing with their grade will remain there. Players in this same range who are currently playing with an older grade will generally move to their grade-level team unless they have already spoken with the Directors of Coaching.

6. Can my player remain with the older grade they have been playing with?

In some cases, yes. We want to take a holistic approach to player placement which includes the players development and the players experience. Player placement is always considered with development in mind. If a player is currently playing in the grade ahead of them and it remains appropriate, the Directors of Coaching will communicate directly with the family.

7. When does this change take effect?

The grade level classification will begin with the upcoming Fall season (2026–2027 for New Canaan FC).

8. Will teams look very different?

Most teams will remain similar. However, we expect some changes in team make up to occur as players move to align with their grade level. This will be very specific to each age group and gender, and the affected amount of players. Our goal is to make sure players are playing at the correct level for development, to maintain competitive balance and positive team environments.

9. Does this change affect league play and tournaments?

Yes — leagues and events are also moving to the grade level model, which allows teams to compete consistently across local, regional, and national competitions.

10. What should families do next?

No action is required right now. Families will be notified if a change affects their player. Additional details will be shared as the season approaches.

11. How will this affect my child's development?

Player development will continue to be a gradual approach throughout all stages of the New Canaan FC Program. Whether players move team groups or stay in the same grouping, they will have the opportunities for practice & performances to develop throughout their time in the program.

12. Will the new age clarifications have a different naming format?

Yes. Age group classifications will move to a more traditionally accepted format using the U to represent Under and the age to represent player age.

U9 - will be a 3rd Grade Classification

U10 will be a 4th Grade Classification

U11 will be a 5th Grade Classification

Our teams will therefore be Gender, Age, Team Denomination.

Boys U9 Red

Boys U9 Black

Boys U9 White