ECNL moving to school year not calendar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots of talk about Q3's here. But if you look at the state requirements to start school DC and Virginia are turns 5 by Sept 30 and DC Sept. 1. All of these would lean to 9/1 (Q4) not 8/1.

We don’t care. I want my Aug 1st GA kid beat the shit out of the Q2 ECNL player.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of talk about Q3's here. But if you look at the state requirements to start school DC and Virginia are turns 5 by Sept 30 and DC Sept. 1. All of these would lean to 9/1 (Q4) not 8/1.

We don’t care. I want my Aug 1st GA kid beat the shit out of the Q2 ECNL player.

Then try to make an ECNL team 🤣

[Anonymous]

Hard to believe ECNL will not plan a smooth transition and grab potential outside players along the way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Georgia Soccer
November 27, 2024 4:02 pm
Share
U.S. Soccer and our members are committed to growing participation and providing the best experiences to participants at all levels. U.S. Soccer has a number of initiatives focused on supporting the growth of soccer in America, and is constantly listening and learning on how to best support those ringing soccer to life all across the country.


We’ve gotten very clear feedback: members need the flexibility to organize their player registration calendar based on what will best support soccer in their environment and communities. U.S. Soccer members want more kids to experience the joy of soccer — and to offer the optimal opportunity for each player’s desired development.


Starting in the fall of 2026, members and leagues will have reasonable flexibility to choose the best registration option for their participants. Assessment Insights


U.S. Soccer conducted a survey with members, leagues, and clubs, while also gathering formal feedback from the broader ecosystem. We received over 15,000 responses from members, leagues, clubs, coaches, families, and participants. A special thank you to US Club, USYS, AYSO, SAY Soccer, the State Associations, Girls Academy, MLS, USL, NWSL, and USSSA for helping us understand the context of these responses and demonstrating commitment to work together on the next steps. Key insights from the assessment are outlined below.

Ecosystem segment (recreation, competitive, pre-professional) and local considerations should drive player registration timing considerations (e.g., birth year, school year).

It’s not practical or optimal to choose one registration choice for the entire ecosystem given these considerations, particularly as we aim to expand the growth and success of the game in every community across the country.
There is recognition that there are many leagues and clubs at the recreational level who currently organize around the school year – which could mean August 1 or September 1. Organizing around school year should be a local market /
member decision.
Key Results and Learnings

41% prefer birth year (1/1-12/31), 47% prefer school year (8/1-7/31 or 9/1-8/31), 12% other
Of those who prefer birth year, change management concerns were a key reason why
Key drivers supporting preferred choice: social benefits, participation & retention, team formation, and
managing physical advantages
Over 60% of respondents say that they have some players adversely impacted by being in different school grades 82% of respondents indicated they were not immediately ready for a change in the upcoming season, many highlighting that they would need to work with their registration tech platform to prepare
Top desired areas of support from U.S. Soccer are (1) change management guidance and (2) best practices
Path Forward Plan

U.S. Soccer’s Board of Directors and staff reviewed these insights and have recommended the following next steps aimed at empowering organizers of soccer and benefitting players of all levels.

Members and leagues will have reasonable flexibility to choose between birth year or school year for the 2026-2027 season. We are conducting a thorough review of considerations and best practices to equip members, leagues, and clubs with making the right registration choice for the 2026-2027 season. This includes understanding more about the implications between various school year start dates (e.g., 8/1 vs. 9/1) and how
to resolve instances where teams organized with different registration calendars want to compete.
No change for the 2025-2026 season. There should be no registration change for the 2025-2026 season. This allows organizations transitioning to school year calendars to prepare their operations and provide the best experience for all participants. The recommendation is based on overwhelming feedback from the engagement process.
U.S. Soccer will formally approve the implementation process in the coming weeks following feedback from members and stakeholders on a draft version of the plan. We anticipate these next steps will conclude by the 2025 AGM (2/27/2025-3/2/2025) and be communicated to the ecosystem immediately after.
U.S. Soccer will build resources and tools to support members.
There will be webinars, training, and feedback forums for members and leagues to support their decision-making and participants with navigating a change.
U.S. Soccer will maintain a website that hosts the considerations, best practices, and tracks the decisions member organizations / leagues make over time.

This assessment acknowledges the complexities of our ecosystem and demonstrates decision-making collaboration with our members, leagues, clubs, and the broader soccer community. We sincerely appreciate your commitment to shaping this path forward and feel energized about our sport’s exciting future.

For questions or feedback, please contact [e-mail].
We are working quickly to get you the implementation details and support to make this a smooth process.

"A special thank you to US Club, USYS, AYSO, SAY Soccer, the State Associations, Girls Academy, MLS, USL, NWSL, and USSSA for helping us understand the context of these responses and demonstrating commitment to work together on the next steps."

Looks like ECNL wasn't at the big kids table.

[Anonymous]

ECNL is US Club you big dummy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Georgia Soccer
November 27, 2024 4:02 pm
Share
U.S. Soccer and our members are committed to growing participation and providing the best experiences to participants at all levels. U.S. Soccer has a number of initiatives focused on supporting the growth of soccer in America, and is constantly listening and learning on how to best support those ringing soccer to life all across the country.


We’ve gotten very clear feedback: members need the flexibility to organize their player registration calendar based on what will best support soccer in their environment and communities. U.S. Soccer members want more kids to experience the joy of soccer — and to offer the optimal opportunity for each player’s desired development.


Starting in the fall of 2026, members and leagues will have reasonable flexibility to choose the best registration option for their participants. Assessment Insights


U.S. Soccer conducted a survey with members, leagues, and clubs, while also gathering formal feedback from the broader ecosystem. We received over 15,000 responses from members, leagues, clubs, coaches, families, and participants. A special thank you to US Club, USYS, AYSO, SAY Soccer, the State Associations, Girls Academy, MLS, USL, NWSL, and USSSA for helping us understand the context of these responses and demonstrating commitment to work together on the next steps. Key insights from the assessment are outlined below.

Ecosystem segment (recreation, competitive, pre-professional) and local considerations should drive player registration timing considerations (e.g., birth year, school year).

It’s not practical or optimal to choose one registration choice for the entire ecosystem given these considerations, particularly as we aim to expand the growth and success of the game in every community across the country.
There is recognition that there are many leagues and clubs at the recreational level who currently organize around the school year – which could mean August 1 or September 1. Organizing around school year should be a local market /
member decision.
Key Results and Learnings

41% prefer birth year (1/1-12/31), 47% prefer school year (8/1-7/31 or 9/1-8/31), 12% other
Of those who prefer birth year, change management concerns were a key reason why
Key drivers supporting preferred choice: social benefits, participation & retention, team formation, and
managing physical advantages
Over 60% of respondents say that they have some players adversely impacted by being in different school grades 82% of respondents indicated they were not immediately ready for a change in the upcoming season, many highlighting that they would need to work with their registration tech platform to prepare
Top desired areas of support from U.S. Soccer are (1) change management guidance and (2) best practices
Path Forward Plan

U.S. Soccer’s Board of Directors and staff reviewed these insights and have recommended the following next steps aimed at empowering organizers of soccer and benefitting players of all levels.

Members and leagues will have reasonable flexibility to choose between birth year or school year for the 2026-2027 season. We are conducting a thorough review of considerations and best practices to equip members, leagues, and clubs with making the right registration choice for the 2026-2027 season. This includes understanding more about the implications between various school year start dates (e.g., 8/1 vs. 9/1) and how
to resolve instances where teams organized with different registration calendars want to compete.
No change for the 2025-2026 season. There should be no registration change for the 2025-2026 season. This allows organizations transitioning to school year calendars to prepare their operations and provide the best experience for all participants. The recommendation is based on overwhelming feedback from the engagement process.
U.S. Soccer will formally approve the implementation process in the coming weeks following feedback from members and stakeholders on a draft version of the plan. We anticipate these next steps will conclude by the 2025 AGM (2/27/2025-3/2/2025) and be communicated to the ecosystem immediately after.
U.S. Soccer will build resources and tools to support members.
There will be webinars, training, and feedback forums for members and leagues to support their decision-making and participants with navigating a change.
U.S. Soccer will maintain a website that hosts the considerations, best practices, and tracks the decisions member organizations / leagues make over time.

This assessment acknowledges the complexities of our ecosystem and demonstrates decision-making collaboration with our members, leagues, clubs, and the broader soccer community. We sincerely appreciate your commitment to shaping this path forward and feel energized about our sport’s exciting future.

For questions or feedback, please contact [e-mail].
We are working quickly to get you the implementation details and support to make this a smooth process.

"A special thank you to US Club, USYS, AYSO, SAY Soccer, the State Associations, Girls Academy, MLS, USL, NWSL, and USSSA for helping us understand the context of these responses and demonstrating commitment to work together on the next steps."

Looks like ECNL wasn't at the big kids table.

US Club = ECNL its the same thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Georgia Soccer
November 27, 2024 4:02 pm
Share
U.S. Soccer and our members are committed to growing participation and providing the best experiences to participants at all levels. U.S. Soccer has a number of initiatives focused on supporting the growth of soccer in America, and is constantly listening and learning on how to best support those ringing soccer to life all across the country.


We’ve gotten very clear feedback: members need the flexibility to organize their player registration calendar based on what will best support soccer in their environment and communities. U.S. Soccer members want more kids to experience the joy of soccer — and to offer the optimal opportunity for each player’s desired development.


Starting in the fall of 2026, members and leagues will have reasonable flexibility to choose the best registration option for their participants. Assessment Insights


U.S. Soccer conducted a survey with members, leagues, and clubs, while also gathering formal feedback from the broader ecosystem. We received over 15,000 responses from members, leagues, clubs, coaches, families, and participants. A special thank you to US Club, USYS, AYSO, SAY Soccer, the State Associations, Girls Academy, MLS, USL, NWSL, and USSSA for helping us understand the context of these responses and demonstrating commitment to work together on the next steps. Key insights from the assessment are outlined below.

Ecosystem segment (recreation, competitive, pre-professional) and local considerations should drive player registration timing considerations (e.g., birth year, school year).

It’s not practical or optimal to choose one registration choice for the entire ecosystem given these considerations, particularly as we aim to expand the growth and success of the game in every community across the country.
There is recognition that there are many leagues and clubs at the recreational level who currently organize around the school year – which could mean August 1 or September 1. Organizing around school year should be a local market /
member decision.
Key Results and Learnings

41% prefer birth year (1/1-12/31), 47% prefer school year (8/1-7/31 or 9/1-8/31), 12% other
Of those who prefer birth year, change management concerns were a key reason why
Key drivers supporting preferred choice: social benefits, participation & retention, team formation, and
managing physical advantages
Over 60% of respondents say that they have some players adversely impacted by being in different school grades 82% of respondents indicated they were not immediately ready for a change in the upcoming season, many highlighting that they would need to work with their registration tech platform to prepare
Top desired areas of support from U.S. Soccer are (1) change management guidance and (2) best practices
Path Forward Plan

U.S. Soccer’s Board of Directors and staff reviewed these insights and have recommended the following next steps aimed at empowering organizers of soccer and benefitting players of all levels.

Members and leagues will have reasonable flexibility to choose between birth year or school year for the 2026-2027 season. We are conducting a thorough review of considerations and best practices to equip members, leagues, and clubs with making the right registration choice for the 2026-2027 season. This includes understanding more about the implications between various school year start dates (e.g., 8/1 vs. 9/1) and how
to resolve instances where teams organized with different registration calendars want to compete.
No change for the 2025-2026 season. There should be no registration change for the 2025-2026 season. This allows organizations transitioning to school year calendars to prepare their operations and provide the best experience for all participants. The recommendation is based on overwhelming feedback from the engagement process.
U.S. Soccer will formally approve the implementation process in the coming weeks following feedback from members and stakeholders on a draft version of the plan. We anticipate these next steps will conclude by the 2025 AGM (2/27/2025-3/2/2025) and be communicated to the ecosystem immediately after.
U.S. Soccer will build resources and tools to support members.
There will be webinars, training, and feedback forums for members and leagues to support their decision-making and participants with navigating a change.
U.S. Soccer will maintain a website that hosts the considerations, best practices, and tracks the decisions member organizations / leagues make over time.

This assessment acknowledges the complexities of our ecosystem and demonstrates decision-making collaboration with our members, leagues, clubs, and the broader soccer community. We sincerely appreciate your commitment to shaping this path forward and feel energized about our sport’s exciting future.

For questions or feedback, please contact [e-mail].
We are working quickly to get you the implementation details and support to make this a smooth process.

"A special thank you to US Club, USYS, AYSO, SAY Soccer, the State Associations, Girls Academy, MLS, USL, NWSL, and USSSA for helping us understand the context of these responses and demonstrating commitment to work together on the next steps."

Looks like ECNL wasn't at the big kids table.

US Club = ECNL its the same thing.

No…it’s not “the same thing.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of talk about Q3's here. But if you look at the state requirements to start school DC and Virginia are turns 5 by Sept 30 and DC Sept. 1. All of these would lean to 9/1 (Q4) not 8/1.

We don’t care. I want my Aug 1st GA kid beat the shit out of the Q2 ECNL player.

Sure…that is why your GA kid is in GA…because they’ve got skills…😂

Like mother / father like daughter apparently….😂

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hard to believe ECNL will not plan a smooth transition and grab potential outside players along the way.

ECNL has majority control of the player talent pool for girls. And as of now ECNL and US club have not said anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ECNL plans to go in '25. that has been discussed and delivered by many DOC's across the country to the parents several months ago. Our DOC told us we were definitely going to school year in '25. so I am not sure what to think. maybe something changed on the US Club/ECNL. ECNL needs to go ahead and do it.

All the Ecnl clubs have been sending notes to parents over the last two days saying nothing changing for 25/26.

No, just no. That definitely did not happen.
Haha

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ECNL plans to go in '25. that has been discussed and delivered by many DOC's across the country to the parents several months ago. Our DOC told us we were definitely going to school year in '25. so I am not sure what to think. maybe something changed on the US Club/ECNL. ECNL needs to go ahead and do it.

All the Ecnl clubs have been sending notes to parents over the last two days saying nothing changing for 25/26.

No, just no. That definitely did not happen.
Haha

It did happen. You must be at Bethesda where they feel no need to communicate anything. Just take whatever happens. We are the almighty who cares about winning. Your kid is a number. Shut up and fall in line. Don't ask questions.

[Anonymous]

My DD is at Bethesda. No official communication from the club, but coach said select Q3/Q4 players will join training sessions for the younger team. He said this last week (before this week’s rollercoaster).

[Anonymous]

There is a reason ECNL hasn’t said anything yet. They have to either acknowledge/admit that their league too will only change registrations in Fall 26 (despite promising sooner) or release a modified plan for Fall 25 for trapped players only. All statements released to clubs so far have been from USYS

[Anonymous]

This thread just shows, as bad as the youth soccer culture and environment is in the US, the majority are determined to make it worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread just shows, as bad as the youth soccer culture and environment is in the US, the majority are determined to make it worse.

+1,000