ECNL moving to school year not calendar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's an ideal age to move to ECNL? I could care less about the word salad of clubs, I just want what's best for my daughter. She's really good in flight one. She's a Q4 kid so I assume in 2026 she'll be considered a higher level player than she is. She's a Dec 2012 and in 6th grade currently. Im nervous if she doesn't play GA or ECNL soon it'll be hard to crack into an established team later and/or her skills relative to those players will decline because the practices and games aren't as intense.

From those of you that have walked this path do you have any advice on timing, especially given all this BY/SY stuff?

Probably a wait a year situation based on what is announced in age changes based on each league.

I would expect a club(s) to try to get her for next year, make promises of starting but rarely have make game day rosters. Then in fall 2026, drop her down a year and have her fight it out to make the roster against a couple of new players.

For Q3/4 kids at the tryouts for fall 2025, I'm not sure you can believe the promises as the clubs try to stockpile Q3/4s for SY in Fall 2026.

Switching clubs is tricky and tends to burn a bridge, save it for when it matters. She is most likely going to be U14 twice anyway.

Helpful perspective. What a bad time (or maybe good, who knows) to be making a switch. I'm assuming we'll get the empty promises that usually get thrown around plus some. I'll do my best to find a supportive environment where she can develop and be challenged while also being in the ECNL system. THere are a few options around us, so we're blessed that way. Its just how far does one want to commute. Uggh. I'm looking forward to being settled in 2026.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's an ideal age to move to ECNL? I could care less about the word salad of clubs, I just want what's best for my daughter. She's really good in flight one. She's a Q4 kid so I assume in 2026 she'll be considered a higher level player than she is. She's a Dec 2012 and in 6th grade currently. Im nervous if she doesn't play GA or ECNL soon it'll be hard to crack into an established team later and/or her skills relative to those players will decline because the practices and games aren't as intense.

From those of you that have walked this path do you have any advice on timing, especially given all this BY/SY stuff?

Probably a wait a year situation based on what is announced in age changes based on each league.

I would expect a club(s) to try to get her for next year, make promises of starting but rarely have make game day rosters. Then in fall 2026, drop her down a year and have her fight it out to make the roster against a couple of new players.

For Q3/4 kids at the tryouts for fall 2025, I'm not sure you can believe the promises as the clubs try to stockpile Q3/4s for SY in Fall 2026.

Switching clubs is tricky and tends to burn a bridge, save it for when it matters. She is most likely going to be U14 twice anyway.

Helpful perspective. What a bad time (or maybe good, who knows) to be making a switch. I'm assuming we'll get the empty promises that usually get thrown around plus some. I'll do my best to find a supportive environment where she can develop and be challenged while also being in the ECNL system. THere are a few options around us, so we're blessed that way. Its just how far does one want to commute. Uggh. I'm looking forward to being settled in 2026.

Find the club that best fits your kid. If things change and she repeats a year, if you like the club then you are fine. Don’t wait another year to see what happens. Get in the system now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's an ideal age to move to ECNL? I could care less about the word salad of clubs, I just want what's best for my daughter. She's really good in flight one. She's a Q4 kid so I assume in 2026 she'll be considered a higher level player than she is. She's a Dec 2012 and in 6th grade currently. Im nervous if she doesn't play GA or ECNL soon it'll be hard to crack into an established team later and/or her skills relative to those players will decline because the practices and games aren't as intense.

From those of you that have walked this path do you have any advice on timing, especially given all this BY/SY stuff?

Probably a wait a year situation based on what is announced in age changes based on each league.

I would expect a club(s) to try to get her for next year, make promises of starting but rarely have make game day rosters. Then in fall 2026, drop her down a year and have her fight it out to make the roster against a couple of new players.

For Q3/4 kids at the tryouts for fall 2025, I'm not sure you can believe the promises as the clubs try to stockpile Q3/4s for SY in Fall 2026.

Switching clubs is tricky and tends to burn a bridge, save it for when it matters. She is most likely going to be U14 twice anyway.

Helpful perspective. What a bad time (or maybe good, who knows) to be making a switch. I'm assuming we'll get the empty promises that usually get thrown around plus some. I'll do my best to find a supportive environment where she can develop and be challenged while also being in the ECNL system. THere are a few options around us, so we're blessed that way. Its just how far does one want to commute. Uggh. I'm looking forward to being settled in 2026.

Find the club that best fits your kid. If things change and she repeats a year, if you like the club then you are fine. Don’t wait another year to see what happens. Get in the system now.

Clubs aren't trust worthy. She will most likely have to switch clubs twice if she bounces this year. If she gets sent to ECRL for Fall 2025, clubs don't like promoting so she would have to leave again to get ECNL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's an ideal age to move to ECNL? I could care less about the word salad of clubs, I just want what's best for my daughter. She's really good in flight one. She's a Q4 kid so I assume in 2026 she'll be considered a higher level player than she is. She's a Dec 2012 and in 6th grade currently. Im nervous if she doesn't play GA or ECNL soon it'll be hard to crack into an established team later and/or her skills relative to those players will decline because the practices and games aren't as intense.

From those of you that have walked this path do you have any advice on timing, especially given all this BY/SY stuff?

Probably a wait a year situation based on what is announced in age changes based on each league.

I would expect a club(s) to try to get her for next year, make promises of starting but rarely have make game day rosters. Then in fall 2026, drop her down a year and have her fight it out to make the roster against a couple of new players.

For Q3/4 kids at the tryouts for fall 2025, I'm not sure you can believe the promises as the clubs try to stockpile Q3/4s for SY in Fall 2026.

Switching clubs is tricky and tends to burn a bridge, save it for when it matters. She is most likely going to be U14 twice anyway.

Helpful perspective. What a bad time (or maybe good, who knows) to be making a switch. I'm assuming we'll get the empty promises that usually get thrown around plus some. I'll do my best to find a supportive environment where she can develop and be challenged while also being in the ECNL system. THere are a few options around us, so we're blessed that way. Its just how far does one want to commute. Uggh. I'm looking forward to being settled in 2026.

Find the club that best fits your kid. If things change and she repeats a year, if you like the club then you are fine. Don’t wait another year to see what happens. Get in the system now.

Clubs aren't trust worthy. She will most likely have to switch clubs twice if she bounces this year. If she gets sent to ECRL for Fall 2025, clubs don't like promoting so she would have to leave again to get ECNL.

100% I’ve never heard of any kid at my club getting moved up full time. Have allowed guest playing when injuries happen.

But if they tell you can goto the RL team and work your way up to ECNL it’s better to stay GA or tryout for another ECNL team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I recently saw something where of the 550 or so division 1 freshman girls scholarships went to ecnl players with only like 17 outside of those going to "non-ecnl" girls. Number's were staggering.

Would be interested in seeing that link or reference.

He keeps it under his ECNL hat.

Stats come from @IMYouthSoccer account on twitter/IG. They also track every commit and transfer to D1 girls soccer programs

I don't think every commit -- that account seems to focus on ECNL and GA and seems to miss whenever our area USYS NL clubs make a splash. Also, perhaps important to be acknowledged, many of these commits started with other clubs and were key parts of their development as many top tier players spend time playing in all these leagues. One thing is very true ... ENCL is very good at marketing.

It looks like they focus on ECNL/GA because that’s 95% of commits. You’re right that many of those players didn’t join ECNL until high school. But that’s the point. ECNL and GA work well as designed as college recruiting platforms, which is why it’s your best shot once you reach U16.

only the commits posted on some social media. they do not have an inside line to colleges.

True -- but they also get told by other kids when someone commits. I doubt they miss more than 5%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's an ideal age to move to ECNL? I could care less about the word salad of clubs, I just want what's best for my daughter. She's really good in flight one. She's a Q4 kid so I assume in 2026 she'll be considered a higher level player than she is. She's a Dec 2012 and in 6th grade currently. Im nervous if she doesn't play GA or ECNL soon it'll be hard to crack into an established team later and/or her skills relative to those players will decline because the practices and games aren't as intense.

From those of you that have walked this path do you have any advice on timing, especially given all this BY/SY stuff?

Probably a wait a year situation based on what is announced in age changes based on each league.

I would expect a club(s) to try to get her for next year, make promises of starting but rarely have make game day rosters. Then in fall 2026, drop her down a year and have her fight it out to make the roster against a couple of new players.

For Q3/4 kids at the tryouts for fall 2025, I'm not sure you can believe the promises as the clubs try to stockpile Q3/4s for SY in Fall 2026.

Switching clubs is tricky and tends to burn a bridge, save it for when it matters. She is most likely going to be U14 twice anyway.

Helpful perspective. What a bad time (or maybe good, who knows) to be making a switch. I'm assuming we'll get the empty promises that usually get thrown around plus some. I'll do my best to find a supportive environment where she can develop and be challenged while also being in the ECNL system. THere are a few options around us, so we're blessed that way. Its just how far does one want to commute. Uggh. I'm looking forward to being settled in 2026.

Find the club that best fits your kid. If things change and she repeats a year, if you like the club then you are fine. Don’t wait another year to see what happens. Get in the system now.

Clubs aren't trust worthy. She will most likely have to switch clubs twice if she bounces this year. If she gets sent to ECRL for Fall 2025, clubs don't like promoting so she would have to leave again to get ECNL.

100% I’ve never heard of any kid at my club getting moved up full time. Have allowed guest playing when injuries happen.

But if they tell you can goto the RL team and work your way up to ECNL it’s better to stay GA or tryout for another ECNL team.

That's good insight. Working up from ECRL is absolutely touted as an option but wow some of those teams are bad. I wasn't too interested in that route anyway but thanks for taking it off the table all together. I can't believe some kids get so lucky. If you live in the right neighborhood and end up on the right team at a young age you can sit back while the better kids weave their way to you. If you live in the wrong area and didn't know how to navigate any of this stuff you're starting so far behind. I'd like to think will end up where she should based on her skill but I'm starting to think I need to obsess over this much more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's an ideal age to move to ECNL? I could care less about the word salad of clubs, I just want what's best for my daughter. She's really good in flight one. She's a Q4 kid so I assume in 2026 she'll be considered a higher level player than she is. She's a Dec 2012 and in 6th grade currently. Im nervous if she doesn't play GA or ECNL soon it'll be hard to crack into an established team later and/or her skills relative to those players will decline because the practices and games aren't as intense.

From those of you that have walked this path do you have any advice on timing, especially given all this BY/SY stuff?

Probably a wait a year situation based on what is announced in age changes based on each league.

I would expect a club(s) to try to get her for next year, make promises of starting but rarely have make game day rosters. Then in fall 2026, drop her down a year and have her fight it out to make the roster against a couple of new players.

For Q3/4 kids at the tryouts for fall 2025, I'm not sure you can believe the promises as the clubs try to stockpile Q3/4s for SY in Fall 2026.

Switching clubs is tricky and tends to burn a bridge, save it for when it matters. She is most likely going to be U14 twice anyway.

Helpful perspective. What a bad time (or maybe good, who knows) to be making a switch. I'm assuming we'll get the empty promises that usually get thrown around plus some. I'll do my best to find a supportive environment where she can develop and be challenged while also being in the ECNL system. THere are a few options around us, so we're blessed that way. Its just how far does one want to commute. Uggh. I'm looking forward to being settled in 2026.

Find the club that best fits your kid. If things change and she repeats a year, if you like the club then you are fine. Don’t wait another year to see what happens. Get in the system now.

Clubs aren't trust worthy. She will most likely have to switch clubs twice if she bounces this year. If she gets sent to ECRL for Fall 2025, clubs don't like promoting so she would have to leave again to get ECNL.

100% I’ve never heard of any kid at my club getting moved up full time. Have allowed guest playing when injuries happen.

But if they tell you can goto the RL team and work your way up to ECNL it’s better to stay GA or tryout for another ECNL team.

That's good insight. Working up from ECRL is absolutely touted as an option but wow some of those teams are bad. I wasn't too interested in that route anyway but thanks for taking it off the table all together. I can't believe some kids get so lucky. If you live in the right neighborhood and end up on the right team at a young age you can sit back while the better kids weave their way to you. If you live in the wrong area and didn't know how to navigate any of this stuff you're starting so far behind. I'd like to think will end up where she should based on her skill but I'm starting to think I need to obsess over this much more.

Not promoting from within, sadly, is true about most clubs of any size -- although it is, from what I've seen, the worst at top ECNL clubs (I've know of a starting player essentially demoted from a national championship winner, for example). Yes, all big clubs work with kids on development, BUT they also realize the faster path is to attract newer players who are already further ahead. That's why your best situation is probably to only move over when you can get on the top team, otherwise your home club -- where they know you and is likely logistically easier -- likely remains your best option. That's why this impending age change is both a great opportunity and a source of massive stress for both clubs and parents. Not necessarily good or bad, just another huge variable that will likely change the calculus for many.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I recently saw something where of the 550 or so division 1 freshman girls scholarships went to ecnl players with only like 17 outside of those going to "non-ecnl" girls. Number's were staggering.

Would be interested in seeing that link or reference.

He keeps it under his ECNL hat.

Stats come from @IMYouthSoccer account on twitter/IG. They also track every commit and transfer to D1 girls soccer programs

I don't think every commit -- that account seems to focus on ECNL and GA and seems to miss whenever our area USYS NL clubs make a splash. Also, perhaps important to be acknowledged, many of these commits started with other clubs and were key parts of their development as many top tier players spend time playing in all these leagues. One thing is very true ... ENCL is very good at marketing.

It looks like they focus on ECNL/GA because that’s 95% of commits. You’re right that many of those players didn’t join ECNL until high school. But that’s the point. ECNL and GA work well as designed as college recruiting platforms, which is why it’s your best shot once you reach U16.

only the commits posted on some social media. they do not have an inside line to colleges.

True -- but they also get told by other kids when someone commits. I doubt they miss more than 5%.

I have yet to see them share anything not ECNL or GA -- even when it exists. It could be someone legit who doesn't have a dog in the fight, but it also wouldn't surprise me if those leagues are behind that account in some way. They should be transparent on funding. It's highly unlikely this is purely a hobby. Image is so much these days. Maintaining the aura that your the top league is huge in getting very good players to come to them.

Unfortunately, this is the world of youth soccer. You CAN get recruited without playing in these leagues but you almost need to hire an expert to help you guide the way (See College Soccer Guy -- a lot of interesting YouTube videos, btw, but it's also seems to be a business model). Just like everything, don't forget, caveat emptor. Sigh.

[Anonymous]

483? Is that where the thread died? Time for a moment of silence....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:483? Is that where the thread died? Time for a moment of silence....

Naw, it's almost the holidays and no new details to speculate on.

[Anonymous]

Waiting on the Pod this week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Waiting on the Pod this week.

This purpose of this thread should be to share news about whether the age groups are being changed, and if so, when.

It's fair to say that 95% of the posts in this thread are people's personal opinions - and not actual information. Anyone who has posted an opinion rather than sharing actual news is a dumb person. Just own it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Waiting on the Pod this week.

This purpose of this thread should be to share news about whether the age groups are being changed, and if so, when.

It's fair to say that 95% of the posts in this thread are people's personal opinions - and not actual information. Anyone who has posted an opinion rather than sharing actual news is a dumb person. Just own it.

The irony in the post is palpable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I recently saw something where of the 550 or so division 1 freshman girls scholarships went to ecnl players with only like 17 outside of those going to "non-ecnl" girls. Number's were staggering.

Would be interested in seeing that link or reference.

He keeps it under his ECNL hat.

Stats come from @IMYouthSoccer account on twitter/IG. They also track every commit and transfer to D1 girls soccer programs

I don't think every commit -- that account seems to focus on ECNL and GA and seems to miss whenever our area USYS NL clubs make a splash. Also, perhaps important to be acknowledged, many of these commits started with other clubs and were key parts of their development as many top tier players spend time playing in all these leagues. One thing is very true ... ENCL is very good at marketing.

It looks like they focus on ECNL/GA because that’s 95% of commits. You’re right that many of those players didn’t join ECNL until high school. But that’s the point. ECNL and GA work well as designed as college recruiting platforms, which is why it’s your best shot once you reach U16.

only the commits posted on some social media. they do not have an inside line to colleges.

True -- but they also get told by other kids when someone commits. I doubt they miss more than 5%.

I have yet to see them share anything not ECNL or GA -- even when it exists. It could be someone legit who doesn't have a dog in the fight, but it also wouldn't surprise me if those leagues are behind that account in some way. They should be transparent on funding. It's highly unlikely this is purely a hobby. Image is so much these days. Maintaining the aura that your the top league is huge in getting very good players to come to them.

Unfortunately, this is the world of youth soccer. You CAN get recruited without playing in these leagues but you almost need to hire an expert to help you guide the way (See College Soccer Guy -- a lot of interesting YouTube videos, btw, but it's also seems to be a business model). Just like everything, don't forget, caveat emptor. Sigh.

The most certainly do post girls from non-ECNL/GA clubs when they commit. There are just not very many of them. They even post summary stats periodically on the ECNL %, GA %, International %, and others %.

[Anonymous]

We are in the window that US Club was going to announce plans. Hopfully we knpow somthng before xmas.

The Pod will have info as per Lavers.