US Youth Soccer – New Age Group Structure (Fall 2016-2017 Season): *Please note, beginning on August 1, 2016, US Youth Soccer (USYSA) has instituted a birth
-year registration mandate. For more information, go to: US Club Soccer update on US youth soccers birth year registration mandate. If you are not sure what age group to register for, this Player Age Chart will show you what age group your player is eligible for.
Beginning August 1, 2016 all regional and national US Youth Soccer competitions, including all levels of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series , US Youth Soccer National League, US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program , US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues, and US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup , will be based on age group cut-offs of January 1 for each age group. Due to additional interpretative changes by U.S. Soccer since this announcement in how competition age groups are labeled, US Youth Soccer and other sanctioning bodies are now clarifying the age group structures for the 2016 season and beyond.
Addison United strongly encourages players to play in their age group. Any exception
to this is at the sole discretion of the Director of Coaching in consultation with the player, their family, and the coaching staff. Contact: director@addisonunitedvt.com
Levels of Play
Addison United Soccer Club (AUSC) participates in the Vermont Soccer League (VSL), which maintains three distinct divisions. The selection of which division each team plays in is determined by the coaching staff, and is primarily based upon the skill levels of the players on a given team. Historically, the AUSC has primarily registered teams in Divisions 2.
Final team rosters are the coaches discretion. In most cases, numbers are the deciding factor. Addison United holds the right to move players into another age group or division if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the club. D1 has a maximum roster size for the spring season and State Cup tournaments. There is also a roster minimum for D2 & D3 teams. Addison United will follow the VSL Divisional Rules and Guidelines:
The divisions are described below (from the VSL website). For more information: VERMONT SOCCER LEAGUE – Divisional Rules and Guidelines: Divisional Rules and Guidelines
Division One (D1)
Division 1 is the premier level of play in the Vermont Soccer League. The goal is to provide the highest level of play managed through specific qualification criteria for team participation. Clubs and teams competing at this level will have a commitment that parallels this level of play. This may include a more rigorous training approach, a more competitive atmosphere, and a more extensive travel schedule.
D1 is the qualifying league for participation in the Vermont Soccer Association (VSA) State Cup Championship that establishes the State Champion in each age bracket. Teams winning the State Cup are required to participate in the US Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) Region 1 National Championship Series. Clubs entering teams in D1 should have the primary goal of representing Vermont in the Region 1 National Championship Series.
Division One B (D1B)
D1B is a subset of division one, and is for those teams that desire a higher level of competition without the commitment to participate in the State Cup.
Division Two (D2)
Division 2 provides a competitive level of play, and is open to all member Clubs whose teams match this level of play. Commitment for D2 will include travel to Vermont communities that are generally within a 90-minute travel time. Training schedule is to be determined by the individual club or coach, but VSL recommends 2 training sessions per week for teams competing in D2.
Any member club may at their discretion place their teams in D2, with guidance from the VSL as appropriate. It is highly recommended that clubs place teams in this division based on competitive tryouts or through assessment during winter training and play. The intent of this division it to be competitive at a level just below Division 1. Clubs should consider D2 appropriate for:
• Teams with players primarily in the older year of the 2-year bracket
• Teams developing skills and competitive experience just below the level of D1
Division Three (D3)
Division 3 provides entry-level competition travel team play, and is open to all member clubs whose teams match this level of play. D3 is designed to serve as an introduction to competitive soccer and/or for players to continue to enjoy the game under less rigorous commitments than D2. Clubs with teams that are not deep in experience or skills will have the opportunity to develop and grow while enjoying the spirit of the game. Commitment for D3 includes travel to Vermont communities that are generally within a one-hour travel time. In keeping with the spirit of introducing players to the game, VSL recommends one training session per week for teams competing in D3.
Any member club may at their discretion place their teams in D3, with guidance from the VSL as appropriate. While it is highly recommended that member clubs place teams in divisions based on tryouts or through assessment during winter training and play, D3 is generally recommended for clubs that establish their teams by registration only.
Clubs should consider D3 appropriate for:
• Teams with players primarily in the younger year of the 2-year bracket
• Teams that are established by registration only, without tryouts or assessment
• Teams that are looking for entry-level travel team competition and commitment