North Carroll Club (NCSC) is committed to providing the best possible development environment for our players, and we want to keep you informed about a significant change coming to youth soccer age group registration starting with the upcoming 2026-2027 season.

Following comprehensive feedback from clubs, coaches, parents, and players nationwide, US Youth Soccer (USYS), US Club Soccer, and AYSO have announced a transition from the current calendar birth year system (January 1 – December 31) to a seasonal/school-year system (August 1 – July 31). This adjustment is intended to better synchronize soccer team eligibility with academic grade levels, enabling a greater number of athletes to compete alongside their classmates and alleviating the difficulties experienced by "trapped players"—those whose birthdates place them out of alignment with their grade-level peers during key transitions such as eighth grade or senior year of high school. In order to participate in US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer leagues, and competitions, NCSC is required to comply with this new policy.

The current birth year rules will stay in place for the 2025-2026 season, allowing the remainder of the seasonal year to prepare. Beginning in fall 2026, the leagues we compete in, such as EDP and CMSA, will switch to the new cutoff of August 1 through July 31.

What This Means for Your Player

• Players will shift into new age groups based on the August 1 – July 31 cut off. See age group chart below.
• Teams will now span two calendar birth years (e.g., a U12 team might include players born August 1, 2014 – July 31, 2015, plus any approved play-up/play-down exceptions).
• Some players and teams will experience movement or restructuring, which is expected and normal during a change of this scale.
• We recognize that this cutoff does not align with Maryland’s September 1 school-age guideline, and we are exploring potential accommodations to support appropriate player placement based on overall development, team needs, and individual circumstances.