US Youth Soccer (USYS) has announced a nationwide update to its player age-group formation policy, beginning with the 2026-27 season.  This change shifts age groups from the current calendar-year model (January-December) to a school-year model (August-July).  

Blue Ridge United is adopting this structure in full, along with all clubs that compete in the National Capital Soccer League (NCSL).  In addition, we are introducing Local Evaluation Guidelines designed to support families whose children fall near the academic cutoff date used in Virginia schools.

Beginning with the 2026-27 season:

• Player age groups will be determined by birthdates between August 1 and July 31.
• This replaces the calendar-year system (January-December).
• The change aligns youth soccer more closely with the academic school year.

Read the official USYS Announcement here.

Since Virginia public schools use an October 1 cutoff date, we recognize that some players may be placed in a soccer age group that does not align with their grade level.  To better support development and team continuity, Blue Ridge United will apply the following guidelines for players near the cutoff:

Players Born in August or September

Players with August or September birth dates can complete a Play-Up Request Form, included here, for the opportunity to continue with their school-grade peers.  Each form submission will be evaluated by Blue Ridge United Technical Staff, who will determine whether the player is approved to play up or should remain in their USYS-assigned age group.

Please note: the deadline to submit this form is March 31

Families will be notified of the decision prior to tryouts.

This process ensures:

• Proper developmental placement for each player
• Preservation of competitive integrity
• Alignment with each player's individual pathway

All Other Play-Up Requests

Players born outside of August or September may submit a play-up request by sending an email to tryouts@brysa.org.  These requests will also be evaluated by Technical Staff; however, play-up approvals for non-August/September players will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.

Examples of exceptional circumstances may include:

• Safety or developmental necessity
• Advanced technical/tactical ability
• Club developmental pathway needs

Important Notes

• All play-up decisions are made exclusively by BRU Technical Staff.
• This process maintains fairness, competitive balance, and player development integrity across teams.

Through Spring 2026

The current calendar-year age grouping remains in effect.

Starting with 2026-27 Registration

• All age groups will follow the August 1-July 31 model.
• Eligible players (Aug/Sept birthdays) will be evaluated for potential play-up placement.
• All registration materials, age charts, and team assignments will reflect this new structure.

To prepare for this transition, we recommend:

For All Families

• Review your child's birthdate in the new August-July system.
• Use the US Soccer Age Group Calculator and the Blue Ridge United Age Group Matrix to confirm placement.

For Families with August or September Birthdays

• Begin discussing your child's development, confidence, and competitive level with your player.
• Contact your coach or BRU staff if you have questions regarding evaluation.
• Final placement will be based on Technical Staff assessment, not on parent or player preference.

For Other Families Requesting to Play-Up

• Understand that approvals are rare, and based solely on exceptional developmental circumstances.
• Requests will be assessed by the technical staff during the evaluation period.

Blue Ridge United supports these changes as a positive step toward aligning soccer development with academic pathways and ensuring fair, thoughtful placement for all players in our community!