Rumorville: ECNL Switching to School Year (Versus Birth Year)

There have been rumors about ECNL leadership wanting to change from school year to birth year.

This wouldn’t happen in the upcoming season but could it happen in the fall of 2025?

The decision would favor colleges as there is a more streamlined flow from high school to college. Recruitment would certainly be easier for colleges.

On the other hand, it doesn’t align with U.S. Soccer and their national teams. It also creates major advantages for certain kids. Read on…

Who does this benefit? Players born in August through December…and who are “older” for their grade.

Who does this not benefit? Players who were born in January through July. By birth year, they are some of the oldest on the team. They could be some of the youngest depending on the grade they are in.

My Stance

Selfishly, I don’t like it.

My son is an August birthday but we decided in Kindergarten that he was ready for first grade. He is one of the youngest in his grade so it would put him at a disadvantage. He’s still fourteen while some kids are sixteen.

Unselfishly, I still don’t like it.

If the change happens, – similar to hockey and lacrosse – parents will hold back their child. This will happen much more often. This is the scenario where youth sports trumps academics.

Also, each State has its own cutoff. For example, some States use September 1st as their cutoff while others use January 1st. This matters.

Lastly, the current is working. I think it levels out the playing field a little more. It aligns with our U.S. Youth National teams.

I think we have a system that works. Sure, there are trapped players but there are options for a small percentage of them.

By organizing athletes within the same birth year, there’s less swings in growth, maturity, and development.

You can read more thoughts here: http://talking-soccer.com/TS4/forum/soccer-by-region-state/region-1/massachusetts/4636827-ecnl-wants-to-switch-back-to-school-year-from-birth-year