ECNL wants to switch back to school year from birth year

[Guest]

We have friends on West Coast. They are on an ECNL team and friends with former teammates from GA. Told us no official announcement yet but it’s coming. The coaches have been fielding questions from families. They tell them teams change all the time due to cuts and switching clubs. We will be fine. Trapped players are practicing with 2011s. Making friends and combined practices are being planned to help the players bond.

[Guest]

We have friends on West Coast. They are on an ECNL team and friends with former teammates from GA. Told us no official announcement yet but it’s coming. The coaches have been fielding questions from families. They tell them teams change all the time due to cuts and switching clubs. We will be fine. Trapped players are practicing with 2011s. Making friends and combined practices are being planned to help the players bond.

Trapped U15s frequently practice with U14s. This is not new to this season.

[Guest]

Trapped U15s frequently practice with U14s. This is not new to this season.

Yes out of necessity due to trapped players a situation that will be resolved with a return to graduation year. Listen to what the poster is saying. These practices are not because older kids don't have a team they are to help the 25-26 teams get to know each other. This is being done in MA as well.

[Guest]

ECNL coaches at a major club, bigger than mine - as big as it gets - talking to their Aug 1 - Dec 31 players about the change and what it will mean for them. I randomly threw out 90 - but it’s not a small club and would be part of any conversation. It’s still just conjecture - but the ECNL rules for the following year typically come out Mid-August - early Sept

Can you elaborate on what was discussed? So using the current trapped 08/09 situation for clarity. If a Q4 08 is a sophomore playing with mostly juniors in fall 25 will they "drop down" and play for their equivalent team but now with a team that is again predominantly juniors (like themselves) but who are also predominantly 09s? Or is it literally what is your graduation year that's your team?

[Guest]

From what I understand 2 things will happen. According to our club director. All leagues will change back to school year/grad year. Or and here’s the kicker ECNL will adopt bio banding for boys/girls. Which would let a number of players (TBD) from Q3/4 play down for all League games and Showcases. But will come with some rules that parents may or may not like.

Wait I am so confused by this post. So graduation year or they will allow a select few to play down for games and showcases but not actually "be on" the younger team? Sorry for not understanding I would love some clarification.

[Guest]

Yes out of necessity due to trapped players a situation that will be resolved with a return to graduation year. Listen to what the poster is saying. These practices are not because older kids don't have a team they are to help the 25-26 teams get to know each other. This is being done in MA as well.

It takes a couple weeks for teams to gel. Not a year. In your scenario all teams would be doing this. 11s would play with 12s etc.. Is that happening? It is not.

[Guest]

Wait I am so confused by this post. So graduation year or they will allow a select few to play down for games and showcases but not actually "be on" the younger team? Sorry for not understanding I would love some clarification.

I think they are saying if US soccer doesn’t make the change for next year but rather 26/27 then ECNL will be ahead of the curve and start their own version of bio banding to get teams prepared for 26/27.

[Guest]

Can you elaborate on what was discussed? So using the current trapped 08/09 situation for clarity. If a Q4 08 is a sophomore playing with mostly juniors in fall 25 will they "drop down" and play for their equivalent team but now with a team that is again predominantly juniors (like themselves) but who are also predominantly 09s? Or is it literally what is your graduation year that's your team?

Every player that falls into the trapped player Aug-Dec will basically redo the same age group next year.

[Guest]

I think they are saying if US soccer doesn’t make the change for next year but rather 26/27 then ECNL will be ahead of the curve and start their own version of bio banding to get teams prepared for 26/27.

When the change happened last time, wasn't it mandated for two years out from the initial announcement, but most leagues went ahead and made the change the next/first year?

[Guest]

When the change happened last time, wasn't it mandated for two years out from the initial announcement, but most leagues went ahead and made the change the next/first year?

My kid was 5 and playing Rec soccer when they made the change wasn’t paying enough attention to know.

[Guest]

When the change happened last time, wasn't it mandated for two years out from the initial announcement, but most leagues went ahead and made the change the next/first year?

I think the majority of leagues have to follow US soccer method only the academy’s have some wiggle room for biobanding or late developer rules within their own league.

[Guest]

It's definitely happening. Although nothing official from my ECNL / GA club, their actions speak louder than their (lack of) words.

ECNL / ga / uscs / usys etc are under no obligation to announce anything until they are ready. What difference will it make to parents to know now vs in April?
Coaches already know who's moving to which team. Bench players on by teams are going to remain bench players on gy teams. If you want your child to be a starter, you need to drop down a team e.g go to ECRL/ DPL etc.

Just as an example, we have a q4 kid that could start even on a team 2 birth years over hers. We have another q4 kid that's our biggest liability. I don't see her getting significant pt on ANY team where the wins matter.

This change will not make a significant difference to players except
1. Trapped 8th graders
2. Trapped seniors
3. Ulittle players who drop out because they don't want to play with "older" kids.
4. College coaches

The pros far outweigh the cons (temporary discomfort) and so the change is happening. No point arguing for or against it. It's not our decision to make. The ecNl podcast wouldn't mention it (multiple times) unless they've taken steps in that direction. Just have patience and wait for the official word.

While I agree with all of this wouldn't ENCL want to announce it so the Ulittle programs nationwide aren't scrambling in April? There's no way to secretly tell all of them, there's probably a hundred of them.

[Guest]

What I was told from an ECNL director is ECNL will go back to SY for older kids/Biobanding option for younger age groups. For 25/26 if US soccer drags their feet and pushes things out to 26/27. My contact thinks the announcement won’t come until February and will be for 26/27 from USSF.

[Guest]

My kid plays for an ECNL club in Ohio. So there’s your hint.

[Guest]

While I agree with all of this wouldn't ENCL want to announce it so the Ulittle programs nationwide aren't scrambling in April? There's no way to secretly tell all of them, there's probably a hundred of them.

It’s called an email.