ECNL moving to school year part 2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s club in California (ECNL-Girls MLSN-Boys) just had our age group change meeting lat night.

For the girls this is strictly Aug-July change, if a player wants to stay and play up that is decided by each individual coach/player, a players who is Aug-Dec wants to play with the age group closer aligned with their school grade will be allowed but again it’s up to each coach and families to decide based on playing time and other factors. No Aug-Dec player will be forced up.

Boys is still BY and nothing changes. However players who are Aug-Dec ca get additional playing time on the MLS2 team that switches to SY. Also a player who is Aug-Dec 2011 will be 2011/12 U15 next year for MLS2 they can bioband down to play in the U14 2012/2013 age groups.

Are club will also allow girls 2011 to bioband down and play 2012/2013 boys to get extra playing time and development opportunities.

A better way to put this is Aug birthdays can choose to try out on the correct grade A team or the A team a grade down. However coaches (and clubs) decide who makes the team. Clubs dont want Aug birthdays playing down on A teams and will offer players that choose to play down the option of playing on the correct grade in school B team or the grade down B team. Parents will choose the correct grade in school B team because playing on a grade down B team would hurt their ego too much and either way their kid doesnt want to be on a team with kids a grade below them.

Too many logic flaws again.

Makes no sense to say clubs won't want players on an A team if they are eligible and make the cut. Clubs are competitive and try to win not replicate school teams. On age is the default, they don't even know the kids grades unless they petition to play up.

Is your DD a goalie? Because it seems that as a Sept girl should should get on the field even if an August girl takes her position other than goalie.

[Anonymous]

Even Google ai has figured it out and is relaying.

For the 2026-2027 season, ECNL and major leagues are switching to a school-year calendar (Aug 1 – July 31), replacing birth-year (Jan 1 – Dec 31). August-September birthdays generally align with their school grade, allowing "play up" options if they are on the younger side of a grade, ensuring they play with classmates.

Key Details & FAQ
The Shift: Age groups are now based on school year (Aug 1 - July 31).
August/September Birthdays: These students will generally be placed with their school grade, preventing them from being "trapped" (playing a year up from their classmates).
"Play Up" Option: If a player has an August/September birthday and is young for their grade, they can choose to play up with the older, current grade level to align with their school peers.
Tryouts (2026-27): With the shift, August-December birthdays might be targeted by clubs for physical advantages, affecting squad makeup. Tryouts will require online registration and usually involve attending multiple sessions.
Impact on "Trapped" Players: This change eliminates the "trapped" player issue, where kids were forced to play up in 8th grade to be with their classmates, according to U.S. Club Soccer.
Recommendation: Talk to coaches before tryouts to evaluate if playing up is best for development and to understand the club's needs, suggest

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s club in California (ECNL-Girls MLSN-Boys) just had our age group change meeting lat night.

For the girls this is strictly Aug-July change, if a player wants to stay and play up that is decided by each individual coach/player, a players who is Aug-Dec wants to play with the age group closer aligned with their school grade will be allowed but again it’s up to each coach and families to decide based on playing time and other factors. No Aug-Dec player will be forced up.

Boys is still BY and nothing changes. However players who are Aug-Dec ca get additional playing time on the MLS2 team that switches to SY. Also a player who is Aug-Dec 2011 will be 2011/12 U15 next year for MLS2 they can bioband down to play in the U14 2012/2013 age groups.

Are club will also allow girls 2011 to bioband down and play 2012/2013 boys to get extra playing time and development opportunities.

A better way to put this is Aug birthdays can choose to try out on the correct grade A team or the A team a grade down. However coaches (and clubs) decide who makes the team. Clubs dont want Aug birthdays playing down on A teams and will offer players that choose to play down the option of playing on the correct grade in school B team or the grade down B team. Parents will choose the correct grade in school B team because playing on a grade down B team would hurt their ego too much and either way their kid doesnt want to be on a team with kids a grade below them.

Too many logic flaws again.

Makes no sense to say clubs won't want players on an A team if they are eligible and make the cut. Clubs are competitive and try to win not replicate school teams. On age is the default, they don't even know the kids grades unless they petition to play up.

Is your DD a goalie? Because it seems that as a Sept girl should should get on the field even if an August girl takes her position other than goalie.

Reasons clubs dont want Aug birthdays playing down on grade down A teams. Or any grade down team really.

1. Aug birthdays would be out of alignment with level played in club and grade in school.

2. 8th grade teams dont want 9th grade players leaving for half the season to play high school soccer

3. Correct grade in school players and parents dont want grade older losers playing down on their team

4. College coaches recruit players by graduating year / grade in school. Aug birthday players that choose to play on a grade down team will be ignored

5. Playing down is embarrassing for players and gets more and more pathetic the older they are.

You make good points if your kid is currently an 8th grader, but a couple of your arguments fall apart for current 9th graders being asked to “play down” next year. This is terrible for recruiting, less showcases, and less recruiters showing up to watch their games during an important recruiting year. Very bad for them unless coaches play them up a year at showcases and let the team play in the same amount of showcases the kids that didn’t have to “play down” play in. Doubtful. So this age change will be bad for them. Never mind they are being moved to a team that is devoid of their friends and teammates for the last decade. All to play down and show out against younger kids? This means less competition in practice and games all year, and then they need to then play up for showcases when they have been playing down all year. No kids at this age want that. None. No one is happy to “play down.” This is being forced on them, and it will not be good for them. Plus, they will be taking opportunities for the kids playing on grade, which is bad for them. Bad all around. Everyone on here makes it seem like it is a choice. It is not. Take a look at the top teams and their ID rules. There is no choice for the players.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s club in California (ECNL-Girls MLSN-Boys) just had our age group change meeting lat night.

For the girls this is strictly Aug-July change, if a player wants to stay and play up that is decided by each individual coach/player, a players who is Aug-Dec wants to play with the age group closer aligned with their school grade will be allowed but again it’s up to each coach and families to decide based on playing time and other factors. No Aug-Dec player will be forced up.

Boys is still BY and nothing changes. However players who are Aug-Dec ca get additional playing time on the MLS2 team that switches to SY. Also a player who is Aug-Dec 2011 will be 2011/12 U15 next year for MLS2 they can bioband down to play in the U14 2012/2013 age groups.

Are club will also allow girls 2011 to bioband down and play 2012/2013 boys to get extra playing time and development opportunities.

A better way to put this is Aug birthdays can choose to try out on the correct grade A team or the A team a grade down. However coaches (and clubs) decide who makes the team. Clubs dont want Aug birthdays playing down on A teams and will offer players that choose to play down the option of playing on the correct grade in school B team or the grade down B team. Parents will choose the correct grade in school B team because playing on a grade down B team would hurt their ego too much and either way their kid doesnt want to be on a team with kids a grade below them.

Too many logic flaws again.

Makes no sense to say clubs won't want players on an A team if they are eligible and make the cut. Clubs are competitive and try to win not replicate school teams. On age is the default, they don't even know the kids grades unless they petition to play up.

Is your DD a goalie? Because it seems that as a Sept girl should should get on the field even if an August girl takes her position other than goalie.

Reasons clubs dont want Aug birthdays playing down on grade down A teams. Or any grade down team really.

1. Aug birthdays would be out of alignment with level played in club and grade in school.

2. 8th grade teams dont want 9th grade players leaving for half the season to play high school soccer

3. Correct grade in school players and parents dont want grade older losers playing down on their team

4. College coaches recruit players by graduating year / grade in school. Aug birthday players that choose to play on a grade down team will be ignored

5. Playing down is embarrassing for players and gets more and more pathetic the older they are.

You make good points if your kid is currently an 8th grader, but a couple of your arguments fall apart for current 9th graders being asked to “play down” next year. This is terrible for recruiting, less showcases, and less recruiters showing up to watch their games during an important recruiting year. Very bad for them unless coaches play them up a year at showcases and let the team play in the same amount of showcases the kids that didn’t have to “play down” play in. Doubtful. So this age change will be bad for them. Never mind they are being moved to a team that is devoid of their friends and teammates for the last decade. All to play down and show out against younger kids? This means less competition in practice and games all year, and then they need to then play up for showcases when they have been playing down all year. No kids at this age want that. None. No one is happy to “play down.” This is being forced on them, and it will not be good for them. Plus, they will be taking opportunities for the kids playing on grade, which is bad for them. Bad all around. Everyone on here makes it seem like it is a choice. It is not. Take a look at the top teams and their ID rules. There is no choice for the players.

Time to put down the bottle and get sone sleep. You're not making sense.

[Anonymous]

From almost a year ago written from feedback from CincySC. (Who said they play to group by grade in SY) When they were debating switching from Sept 1st to Aug 1st. (Which ended up happening)

https://www.soccerparenting.com/blog/upcoming-age-group-changes-youth-soccer-csc

An earlier cutoff = more players eligible to participate with their classmates. We support a July 1 or August 1 soccer cutoff, with the assumption that clubs & leagues will allow players to play up and that most players will choose to play with their grade, even those eligible to play with the grade below.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s club in California (ECNL-Girls MLSN-Boys) just had our age group change meeting lat night.

For the girls this is strictly Aug-July change, if a player wants to stay and play up that is decided by each individual coach/player, a players who is Aug-Dec wants to play with the age group closer aligned with their school grade will be allowed but again it’s up to each coach and families to decide based on playing time and other factors. No Aug-Dec player will be forced up.

Boys is still BY and nothing changes. However players who are Aug-Dec ca get additional playing time on the MLS2 team that switches to SY. Also a player who is Aug-Dec 2011 will be 2011/12 U15 next year for MLS2 they can bioband down to play in the U14 2012/2013 age groups.

Are club will also allow girls 2011 to bioband down and play 2012/2013 boys to get extra playing time and development opportunities.

A better way to put this is Aug birthdays can choose to try out on the correct grade A team or the A team a grade down. However coaches (and clubs) decide who makes the team. Clubs dont want Aug birthdays playing down on A teams and will offer players that choose to play down the option of playing on the correct grade in school B team or the grade down B team. Parents will choose the correct grade in school B team because playing on a grade down B team would hurt their ego too much and either way their kid doesnt want to be on a team with kids a grade below them.

If you are in a club where a player is excluded from A team in their age group just based on their school grade, you should probably search for a better club. That sounds unethical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s club in California (ECNL-Girls MLSN-Boys) just had our age group change meeting lat night.

For the girls this is strictly Aug-July change, if a player wants to stay and play up that is decided by each individual coach/player, a players who is Aug-Dec wants to play with the age group closer aligned with their school grade will be allowed but again it’s up to each coach and families to decide based on playing time and other factors. No Aug-Dec player will be forced up.

Boys is still BY and nothing changes. However players who are Aug-Dec ca get additional playing time on the MLS2 team that switches to SY. Also a player who is Aug-Dec 2011 will be 2011/12 U15 next year for MLS2 they can bioband down to play in the U14 2012/2013 age groups.

Are club will also allow girls 2011 to bioband down and play 2012/2013 boys to get extra playing time and development opportunities.

A better way to put this is Aug birthdays can choose to try out on the correct grade A team or the A team a grade down. However coaches (and clubs) decide who makes the team. Clubs dont want Aug birthdays playing down on A teams and will offer players that choose to play down the option of playing on the correct grade in school B team or the grade down B team. Parents will choose the correct grade in school B team because playing on a grade down B team would hurt their ego too much and either way their kid doesnt want to be on a team with kids a grade below them.

Too many logic flaws again.

Makes no sense to say clubs won't want players on an A team if they are eligible and make the cut. Clubs are competitive and try to win not replicate school teams. On age is the default, they don't even know the kids grades unless they petition to play up.

Is your DD a goalie? Because it seems that as a Sept girl should should get on the field even if an August girl takes her position other than goalie.

Reasons clubs dont want Aug birthdays playing down on grade down A teams. Or any grade down team really.

1. Aug birthdays would be out of alignment with level played in club and grade in school.

2. 8th grade teams dont want 9th grade players leaving for half the season to play high school soccer

3. Correct grade in school players and parents dont want grade older losers playing down on their team

4. College coaches recruit players by graduating year / grade in school. Aug birthday players that choose to play on a grade down team will be ignored

5. Playing down is embarrassing for players and gets more and more pathetic the older they are.

Losers? Pathetic? Who talks about kids in this manner?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s club in California (ECNL-Girls MLSN-Boys) just had our age group change meeting lat night.

For the girls this is strictly Aug-July change, if a player wants to stay and play up that is decided by each individual coach/player, a players who is Aug-Dec wants to play with the age group closer aligned with their school grade will be allowed but again it’s up to each coach and families to decide based on playing time and other factors. No Aug-Dec player will be forced up.

Boys is still BY and nothing changes. However players who are Aug-Dec ca get additional playing time on the MLS2 team that switches to SY. Also a player who is Aug-Dec 2011 will be 2011/12 U15 next year for MLS2 they can bioband down to play in the U14 2012/2013 age groups.

Are club will also allow girls 2011 to bioband down and play 2012/2013 boys to get extra playing time and development opportunities.

A better way to put this is Aug birthdays can choose to try out on the correct grade A team or the A team a grade down. However coaches (and clubs) decide who makes the team. Clubs dont want Aug birthdays playing down on A teams and will offer players that choose to play down the option of playing on the correct grade in school B team or the grade down B team. Parents will choose the correct grade in school B team because playing on a grade down B team would hurt their ego too much and either way their kid doesnt want to be on a team with kids a grade below them.

Your example here basically says that all August players should be stuck on B team no matter what they do. That's not reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s club in California (ECNL-Girls MLSN-Boys) just had our age group change meeting lat night.

For the girls this is strictly Aug-July change, if a player wants to stay and play up that is decided by each individual coach/player, a players who is Aug-Dec wants to play with the age group closer aligned with their school grade will be allowed but again it’s up to each coach and families to decide based on playing time and other factors. No Aug-Dec player will be forced up.

Boys is still BY and nothing changes. However players who are Aug-Dec ca get additional playing time on the MLS2 team that switches to SY. Also a player who is Aug-Dec 2011 will be 2011/12 U15 next year for MLS2 they can bioband down to play in the U14 2012/2013 age groups.

Are club will also allow girls 2011 to bioband down and play 2012/2013 boys to get extra playing time and development opportunities.

A better way to put this is Aug birthdays can choose to try out on the correct grade A team or the A team a grade down. However coaches (and clubs) decide who makes the team. Clubs dont want Aug birthdays playing down on A teams and will offer players that choose to play down the option of playing on the correct grade in school B team or the grade down B team. Parents will choose the correct grade in school B team because playing on a grade down B team would hurt their ego too much and either way their kid doesnt want to be on a team with kids a grade below them.

Your example here basically says that all August players should be stuck on B team no matter what they do. That's not reality.

Whats going is clubs (and college recruiters) only want grade in school teams. It's easier for them and its better for players. Unfortunately some parents want to play against younger players and will do anything to make it happen. Theres ways to address all issues and make everything 100% clea avoiding the Aug Sept playing down issue but it requires an additional level of verification. Clubs make more money if they have "flexibility" and can roster Aug Sept players however they want and its easier to have a single level of verification.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s club in California (ECNL-Girls MLSN-Boys) just had our age group change meeting lat night.

For the girls this is strictly Aug-July change, if a player wants to stay and play up that is decided by each individual coach/player, a players who is Aug-Dec wants to play with the age group closer aligned with their school grade will be allowed but again it’s up to each coach and families to decide based on playing time and other factors. No Aug-Dec player will be forced up.

Boys is still BY and nothing changes. However players who are Aug-Dec ca get additional playing time on the MLS2 team that switches to SY. Also a player who is Aug-Dec 2011 will be 2011/12 U15 next year for MLS2 they can bioband down to play in the U14 2012/2013 age groups.

Are club will also allow girls 2011 to bioband down and play 2012/2013 boys to get extra playing time and development opportunities.

A better way to put this is Aug birthdays can choose to try out on the correct grade A team or the A team a grade down. However coaches (and clubs) decide who makes the team. Clubs dont want Aug birthdays playing down on A teams and will offer players that choose to play down the option of playing on the correct grade in school B team or the grade down B team. Parents will choose the correct grade in school B team because playing on a grade down B team would hurt their ego too much and either way their kid doesnt want to be on a team with kids a grade below them.

Your example here basically says that all August players should be stuck on B team no matter what they do. That's not reality.

They're welcome to try out for and make their grade in school A team. How would they be stuck on a B team?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From almost a year ago written from feedback from CincySC. (Who said they play to group by grade in SY) When they were debating switching from Sept 1st to Aug 1st. (Which ended up happening)

https://www.soccerparenting.com/blog/upcoming-age-group-changes-youth-soccer-csc

An earlier cutoff = more players eligible to participate with their classmates. We support a July 1 or August 1 soccer cutoff, with the assumption that clubs & leagues will allow players to play up and that most players will choose to play with their grade, even those eligible to play with the grade below.

It's case by case again, nobody forced up and they don't know your grade unless you tell them, "Players with Aug/Sept birthdays that are young for their grade will have the option of playing with their grade or playing with the grade below" And nobody cares what teams outside DMV are doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s club in California (ECNL-Girls MLSN-Boys) just had our age group change meeting lat night.

For the girls this is strictly Aug-July change, if a player wants to stay and play up that is decided by each individual coach/player, a players who is Aug-Dec wants to play with the age group closer aligned with their school grade will be allowed but again it’s up to each coach and families to decide based on playing time and other factors. No Aug-Dec player will be forced up.

Boys is still BY and nothing changes. However players who are Aug-Dec ca get additional playing time on the MLS2 team that switches to SY. Also a player who is Aug-Dec 2011 will be 2011/12 U15 next year for MLS2 they can bioband down to play in the U14 2012/2013 age groups.

Are club will also allow girls 2011 to bioband down and play 2012/2013 boys to get extra playing time and development opportunities.

A better way to put this is Aug birthdays can choose to try out on the correct grade A team or the A team a grade down. However coaches (and clubs) decide who makes the team. Clubs dont want Aug birthdays playing down on A teams and will offer players that choose to play down the option of playing on the correct grade in school B team or the grade down B team. Parents will choose the correct grade in school B team because playing on a grade down B team would hurt their ego too much and either way their kid doesnt want to be on a team with kids a grade below them.

Your example here basically says that all August players should be stuck on B team no matter what they do. That's not reality.

Whats going is clubs (and college recruiters) only want grade in school teams. It's easier for them and its better for players. Unfortunately some parents want to play against younger players and will do anything to make it happen. Theres ways to address all issues and make everything 100% clea avoiding the Aug Sept playing down issue but it requires an additional level of verification. Clubs make more money if they have "flexibility" and can roster Aug Sept players however they want and its easier to have a single level of verification.

Not true. College coaches told clubs like Eastside that don't care what age group or age a recruit is. Remember, the take transfers and Internationals and have to evaluate them all. Playing on age has best chance of making kids better players as the oldest, youngest tends to quit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s club in California (ECNL-Girls MLSN-Boys) just had our age group change meeting lat night.

For the girls this is strictly Aug-July change, if a player wants to stay and play up that is decided by each individual coach/player, a players who is Aug-Dec wants to play with the age group closer aligned with their school grade will be allowed but again it’s up to each coach and families to decide based on playing time and other factors. No Aug-Dec player will be forced up.

Boys is still BY and nothing changes. However players who are Aug-Dec ca get additional playing time on the MLS2 team that switches to SY. Also a player who is Aug-Dec 2011 will be 2011/12 U15 next year for MLS2 they can bioband down to play in the U14 2012/2013 age groups.

Are club will also allow girls 2011 to bioband down and play 2012/2013 boys to get extra playing time and development opportunities.

A better way to put this is Aug birthdays can choose to try out on the correct grade A team or the A team a grade down. However coaches (and clubs) decide who makes the team. Clubs dont want Aug birthdays playing down on A teams and will offer players that choose to play down the option of playing on the correct grade in school B team or the grade down B team. Parents will choose the correct grade in school B team because playing on a grade down B team would hurt their ego too much and either way their kid doesnt want to be on a team with kids a grade below them.

Your example here basically says that all August players should be stuck on B team no matter what they do. That's not reality.

Whats going is clubs (and college recruiters) only want grade in school teams. It's easier for them and its better for players. Unfortunately some parents want to play against younger players and will do anything to make it happen. Theres ways to address all issues and make everything 100% clea avoiding the Aug Sept playing down issue but it requires an additional level of verification. Clubs make more money if they have "flexibility" and can roster Aug Sept players however they want and its easier to have a single level of verification.

Not true. College coaches told clubs like Eastside that don't care what age group or age a recruit is. Remember, the take transfers and Internationals and have to evaluate them all. Playing on age has best chance of making kids better players as the oldest, youngest tends to quit.

College coaches recruit players by graduating year.

Graduating Year = Grade in school

But keep posting your nonsense you everyone can see that you're crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s club in California (ECNL-Girls MLSN-Boys) just had our age group change meeting lat night.

For the girls this is strictly Aug-July change, if a player wants to stay and play up that is decided by each individual coach/player, a players who is Aug-Dec wants to play with the age group closer aligned with their school grade will be allowed but again it’s up to each coach and families to decide based on playing time and other factors. No Aug-Dec player will be forced up.

Boys is still BY and nothing changes. However players who are Aug-Dec ca get additional playing time on the MLS2 team that switches to SY. Also a player who is Aug-Dec 2011 will be 2011/12 U15 next year for MLS2 they can bioband down to play in the U14 2012/2013 age groups.

Are club will also allow girls 2011 to bioband down and play 2012/2013 boys to get extra playing time and development opportunities.

A better way to put this is Aug birthdays can choose to try out on the correct grade A team or the A team a grade down. However coaches (and clubs) decide who makes the team. Clubs dont want Aug birthdays playing down on A teams and will offer players that choose to play down the option of playing on the correct grade in school B team or the grade down B team. Parents will choose the correct grade in school B team because playing on a grade down B team would hurt their ego too much and either way their kid doesnt want to be on a team with kids a grade below them.

If you are in a club where a player is excluded from A team in their age group just based on their school grade, you should probably search for a better club. That sounds unethical.

It won't happen because clubs don't have rules in place with documentation and transparency stating policies to force kids to play up. Then they would need to collect school documentation from thousands of school districts which doesn't exist and verify it. Forcing kids up an age group is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Clubs don't want this hassle at all anyway because they never cared about forcing grade, they just follow league rules and leagues know they can't legistate grade rules fairly and police them across the country. That's why they picked 8/1, 12 month window

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter’s club in California (ECNL-Girls MLSN-Boys) just had our age group change meeting lat night.

For the girls this is strictly Aug-July change, if a player wants to stay and play up that is decided by each individual coach/player, a players who is Aug-Dec wants to play with the age group closer aligned with their school grade will be allowed but again it’s up to each coach and families to decide based on playing time and other factors. No Aug-Dec player will be forced up.

Boys is still BY and nothing changes. However players who are Aug-Dec ca get additional playing time on the MLS2 team that switches to SY. Also a player who is Aug-Dec 2011 will be 2011/12 U15 next year for MLS2 they can bioband down to play in the U14 2012/2013 age groups.

Are club will also allow girls 2011 to bioband down and play 2012/2013 boys to get extra playing time and development opportunities.

A better way to put this is Aug birthdays can choose to try out on the correct grade A team or the A team a grade down. However coaches (and clubs) decide who makes the team. Clubs dont want Aug birthdays playing down on A teams and will offer players that choose to play down the option of playing on the correct grade in school B team or the grade down B team. Parents will choose the correct grade in school B team because playing on a grade down B team would hurt their ego too much and either way their kid doesnt want to be on a team with kids a grade below them.

Your example here basically says that all August players should be stuck on B team no matter what they do. That's not reality.

Whats going is clubs (and college recruiters) only want grade in school teams. It's easier for them and its better for players. Unfortunately some parents want to play against younger players and will do anything to make it happen. Theres ways to address all issues and make everything 100% clea avoiding the Aug Sept playing down issue but it requires an additional level of verification. Clubs make more money if they have "flexibility" and can roster Aug Sept players however they want and its easier to have a single level of verification.

"Unfortunately some parents want to play against younger players and will do anything to make it happen."

You must have an agenda, right? You realize that to August players could be in two different grades depending on when they were sent to school by their parents? As a matter of fact the younger August player could be in a higher grade than an older August player from the same year. You really do seem like you have an agenda.