TRAVEL AGE GROUP CHANGES

After extensive review, US Youth Soccer, American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), US Club Soccer, and Connecticut Junior Soccer Association (CJSA) have adopted a new age group cycle that runs August 1st - July 31st, replacing the current January 1st – December 31st birth-year model (implemented in 2017). This change is designed to better align players with their school-grade peers and to support social development, participation, and long-term player growth.

The August 1st – July 31st cycle will apply to all CJSA League and Cup competitions, including National Championships, ECNL, DPL, National League, and EDP League play.  Our Avon travel teams fall under the CJSA League and Cup competitions category.

Please note that the information provided below applies ONLY to travel players and their families.  

The decision to implement this “hybrid” approach has only been approved by the ASC Board for one year.  The Board will again revisit this policy later this year to determine the best strategy going forward into the 2027-2028 travel soccer season.

What Does This Mean for Avon Soccer Club Travel Players?

No changes will occur for current travel teams during the Spring 2026 season. 

The following age group adjustments will take effect beginning with the 2026 – 2027 seasonal year (August 2026 – June 2027) thus affecting all accepted travel players:

New Avon Travel Players:
Must register and try out in the applicable age group under the new August 1st – July 31st age band structure.

Returning Avon Travel Players born between January 1st and  July 31st:
These players will remain in their current age group under the new structure and move up as usual.
 

Returning Avon Travel Players born between August 1st and  December 31st:
These players must choose to either:

• Remain with their current age group and move up as usual,  

OR

• Shift to the new age-defined group (typically aligning with school grade), which would result in repeating the same age group year.  Players who choose this option would participate in the next travel season in the same age group as he/she did this past season.

Process for Returning Avon Travel Players born between August 1st and December 31st

U9 through U14: During registration for tryouts, current travel families with players born between August 1st and December 31st must indicate whether they wish to remain with their current age group or shift to the new age-defined group (thus repeating the same age group for another year).

IMPORTANT:  This selection determines your child’s age group for the June 2026 travel tryouts and is final, with no changes permitted once registered for tryouts.  Your child cannot try out for the “older” age group and then decide later that he/she wants to repeat with the “younger” age group.  

Additional Information

We understand that changes like this may raise questions and that each player’s situation is different. Please know our priority is to provide the best developmental environment for each player’s growth, confidence, and enjoyment of the game.  The FAQ section below provides more details and additional factors to consider when making this decision. 

If you still have questions after reviewing this information, please reach out initially to your coach for assistance/recommendations.  After that, you can email Kelly Nevins at [email protected] for further assistance.  

Thank you for your continued support of Avon Soccer Club and know that we are working diligently to implement this required change as smoothly as possible.

Travel Age Group Changes FAQs