Junior Academy faq's

2026–2027 U.S. Soccer Age Group Change

Beginning in the 2026–2027 soccer year, U.S. Soccer and its member organizations (US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, AYSO, etc.) will transition to a new age‑group formation model that aligns with the school-year calendar. Age groups will now run from:


August 1 of a birth year → July 31 of the following year

This replaces the current January 1–December 31 “birth‑year” model. The goal of this change is to better align youth soccer with school grade levels, reduce team disruption, and create more consistent developmental pathways.


Broomfield Soccer Club – Junior Academy Adoption

  • The Junior Academy will adopt the new August 1–July 31 age‑group structure beginning in the 2026–2027 soccer year.
  • Team formation will follow the new school‑year‑aligned birthdate ranges, consistent with other clubs and state associations.
  • The new age group chart is posted near the bottom of this page, and on several other pages on the BSC website!


Important Note for Current U8 Players (Recreational → Junior Academy Pathway)

For the current soccer year:

  • All U8 recreational players interested in the Junior Academy are welcome to attend mixers and join the program.
  • Under the new 2026–27 calendar, U8 will be defined as birthdates August 1, 2018 – July 31, 2019.
  • Players in this range are welcome to join the Junior Academy.


Parent FAQ: 2026–27 Age Group Change


How will this affect my child’s team placement?


Beginning in Fall 2026, your child’s age group will be determined by their birthdate relative to August 1. Example:

  • A player born September 2017 will be U9 for the 2026–27 soccer year.
  • A player born May 2018 will also be U9 for the 2026–27 soccer year.


Will my child have to switch teams?


Some players may shift age groups based on the new cutoff. Clubs nationwide—including Broomfield SC—are working to minimize disruption and keep players with appropriate developmental peers.


How does this impact the Junior Academy?


The Junior Academy will fully adopt the new age‑group structure starting in 2026–2027. Teams will be formed using the new August 1–July 31 birthdate ranges.


My child is currently U8. Can they still join the Junior Academy?


Yes. All current U8 recreational players (under the 2025-2026 age group alignment) are welcome to attend mixers and join the Junior Academy.


If my child is a “new U8” under the 2026–27 calendar, what happens?


Players born August 1, 2018 – July 31, 2019 will be considered U8 under the new model. These players may join the Junior Academy, and we will form U8 teams with the correct birth years and enter them to play up in the CSA competitive league to keep them aligned with the new structure.


Will playing up affect my child’s development?


Playing up is common at younger ages and is supported when teams and/or individual players are developmentally ready. Our staff will ensure players are placed in environments that are safe, appropriate, and beneficial for their growth.


Are other clubs making this change too?


Yes. All U.S. Soccer member organizations—including US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, and AYSO—are implementing this shift for the 2026–2027 soccer year. Clubs across the country are preparing for the same transition.

Junior Academy FAQ's

  • How are Rec and Select teams formed? 

    Rec teams are formed following the BSC Recreational Team Formation Policy. Junior Academy teams are formed by the Director of Developmental Soccer and by invitation only. Invitations are extended to players who have attended mixers. If you are new to the club and wish to be a part of the Junior Academy Program, you must contact our Director of Developmental Soccer, Michael Green, at michael.green@broomfieldsoccerclub.org prior to registering.  

  • 
What is the difference between premier, gold, silver and bronze? What is the difference between the two leagues (recreational and intermediate), and how do they correspond with gold, silver and bronze?

    Once your player gets to the U9 level, his/her team begins playing against teams from other clubs. With the current CSA league alignment, there are two leagues...recreational (less competitive) and intermediate (more competitive). Within each of these league there are gold, silver and bronze levels. Rec teams are placed in the recreational league, while Junior Academy teams are placed in the intermediate league (there are some exceptions). As a club, we can make requests for level, however, final placements are determined by the Rec LOC, which is a committee run by Colorado Soccer Association.

  • 
Can my kid “play up”?

    All players are asked to play in their true age group. Only if they are identified by the technical staff during the fall season, and a meeting takes place between the parents and the technical staff to discuss placement for the spring will playing up be considered. Please do not ever falsify your child's date of birth. If your child's birthdate has been entered incorrectly, intentionally or not, they are not guaranteed a roster spot.

  • 
Is my child's birth certificate required in order for my child to play?

    Yes. For all age groups, U4-U18, players are required to submit a copy of their birth certificate to verify date of birth. During registration you will be required to upload it to PlayMetrics. 

  • 
What is the refund policy for rec and Junior Academy soccer?

    For recreational soccer, if you request a refund prior to the closing of the registration period (January 15th for spring soccer, July 15th for fall soccer), a 100% refund is available, less a $10 processing fee. Following the close of the registration period, a 50% refund is available until the end of January for spring soccer, and the end of July for fall soccer, less a $10 processing fee. After that period, no refunds are available. Special circumstances may be considered (injury, family moving out of town, etc.), but a child changing their mind is not considered one of these special circumstances. 

 For Junior Academy, a 50% refund is available until June 20. After that period, no refunds are available.