Durango Rapids FAQs Academic Year Registration
What does Academic Year Registration Mean?
Starting in the fall of 2026, youth soccer age groups will be registered by academic year
across the entire country. The Academic year calendar is August 1st- July 31st.
FOR THE 2026-27 SEASON
U5 8/1/21 - 7/31/22
U6 8/1/20 - 7/31/21
U7 8/1/19 - 7/31/20
U8 8/1/18 - 7/31/19
U9 8/1/17 - 7/31/18
U10 8/1/16 - 7/31/17
U11 8/1/15 - 7/31/16
U12 8/1/14 - 7/31/15
U13 8/1/13 - 7/31/14
U14 8/1/12 - 7/31/13
U15 8/1/11 - 7/31/12
U16 8/1/10 - 7/31/11
U17 8/1/09 - 7/31/10
U18 8/1/08 - 7/31/09
Why is Academic Year Registration Taking Effect at All Levels of Play and All
Ages?
Following extensive review and discussion, US Youth Soccer, AYSO, and US Club Soccer
have collectively decided to move to an age group player formation cycle that runs from
August 1 to July 31, starting with the 2026-27 season/registration year. This change
was made based on additional critical feedback, data, and expert input to better align
players with their school-grade peers. These associations feel that this age group
player formation will be the most inclusive and help increase participation. This
primarily eliminates the issues for teams made up of 8th/9th graders when
part of the team is playing high school soccer and the rest are not. Forming age
groups based on academic year for the younger players in the club will allow age
groups, and teams, to remain stable as they move forward.
Will All Durango Rapids SC Rosters be Transitioning to Academic Year
Registration?
We as a club plan on implementing academic year rosters across the entire club. For
our players to have the best experience, and to remain competitive, transitioning to
academic year teams will be very important. As has always been the case, if the
coaching staff feels a player would benefit from continuing to play in the age group
above their academic year; that player will be given the opportunity to play up. The Club’s Directors, and the coaching staff, of each team will be involved in looking at what is best for teams and individual players as we go through this process. Throughout the spring season, there will be ongoing conversations and meetings to ensure staff awareness of player birth years in the roster formation process.
What Steps is Durango Rapids SC Taking to Support the Transition to Academic
Year?
Below is a general timeline/structure for the process:
November/December: Age Group Directors and Head coaches look at how their
current team roster breaks down based on the academic year.
January/February: Each team’s parent group will meet with their head coach (and
age group director when possible) to review the 2026-27 season plans for the team
April/May: Player/parent/coach conversations prior to tryouts for 2026-27 season to
discuss individual player development plans and what to expect.