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Transition to School-Year Age Groups (2026–2027 Season) Beginning with the 2026–2027 season, USYS, TSSA & US Club Soccer will move from a birth-year age grouping system to a school-year (academic year) model, using an August 1 cutoff date (scroll to bottom for a handy chart). As a club participating in USYS, TSSA and US Club Soccer–aligned leagues, ARIS FC will adopt this change for the 2026–2027 season. What’s Changing • Age groups will now be based on school year, not calendar birth year • The new cutoff date is August 1 (instead of December 31) • Players will generally be grouped with others in their same grade level In simple terms: players will now be placed with their school peers, not split across teams based on birth year. Why This Change Is Being Made This is a nationwide shift across US Club Soccer, designed to better support players and teams. The goals are to: • Align teams with school-based peer groups • Strengthen team continuity and chemistry • Reduce frequent roster changes year to year • Better align with school sports and college recruiting timelines How ARIS FC Will Implement This Our approach will remain thoughtful, structured, and focused on long-term development. • Players will be evaluated within their school-year age group • The August 1 cutoff will determine placement • Teams will be formed based on: • Player ability • Readiness • Team balance • Long-term development In select cases, flexibility may be considered. Any adjustments outside of standard age grouping will be made on a case-by-case basis, with the goal of supporting both the individual player and overall team structure. How We Evaluate Players Player placement is based on a complete view of development—not a single factor. We consider: • Technical ability • Tactical understanding • Physical development • Confidence and mindset • Training habits and coachability This allows us to place players in environments where they can continue to grow and contribute, both immediately and over time. What Families Should Know • This change applies to all clubs within US Club Soccer • Team formation will continue to prioritize development, balance, and fit • Our commitment remains the same: providing a positive, competitive, and well-organized experience for every player Bottom Line The age group structure is changing. Our focus on player development and team experience is not. We are committed to making this transition clear, consistent, and well-supported for our families.