Important Information for Cleburne Soccer Association Families

Beginning with the 2026–2027 soccer season, youth soccer organizations across the United States will transition from the current birth-year registration system to a new seasonal-year age group format using an August 1 – July 31 cutoff. This change is being implemented nationwide by U.S. Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, and other major governing organizations.

At Cleburne Soccer Association, our goal is to make this transition as smooth and positive as possible for our players and families.

What Is Changing?
Current System
Players are currently grouped by calendar birth year:  January 1 – December 31

New System Beginning Fall 2026
Players will now be grouped using a seasonal-year format: August 1 – July 31

This adjustment better aligns players with their school-year peers and classmates.

Why Is This Change Happening?
National soccer organizations believe the seasonal-year format will:

Better align teams with school classmates
Improve social and developmental experiences
Reduce “trapped player” situations
Create greater consistency across leagues and competitions nationwide
For many players, this means they will now play with teammates who are in the same school grade.

When Does This Start?
The new age group structure officially begins with: Fall 2026 – Spring 2027

There are no changes to the current 2025–2026 seasonal year.

What This Means for CSA Players
Most players born between January and July will remain with a similar peer group.

Players born between August and December may see the biggest change as age groups realign closer to school-year classmates.

CSA will continue to focus on:

Player development
Positive team environments
Appropriate competition levels
Long-term growth and enjoyment of the game

Our Commitment to CSA Families
We understand that any large change can create questions and uncertainty. Our coaching staff and leadership are committed to communicating clearly and helping families understand:

New age groups
Team formation
Registration changes
Player placement options
Our priority remains creating the best possible environment for every player to develop, compete, and enjoy soccer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will teams change?
Some teams and rosters may shift as the new age groups are implemented.

Can players still play up?
In certain situations, players may still be evaluated for playing up based on development and roster needs.

Will this affect recreational soccer?
CSA recreational programming will continue focusing on fun, development, and age-appropriate play while aligning with the updated seasonal-year guidelines.

How do I know my player’s new age group?
CSA will provide updated age charts and registration guidance before Fall 2026 registration opens. see below

Does my players grade in school matter?

No, this format is based on the players birth date, not grade.

Can CSA make exceptions?

No CSA can not make exceptions. The decision to move to this format was decided by our national sanctioning organization, United States Youth Soccer and our local sanctioning organization North Texas Soccer Association.

Moving Forward Together
While transitions can feel challenging at first, this change is designed to create better long-term alignment for players across youth soccer nationwide.

CSA is excited to continue providing:
⚽ A positive soccer experience
⚽ Quality coaching and development
⚽ Competitive opportunities
⚽ A strong soccer community for Cleburne and Johnson County families

One Club • One Community • One Goal

Check Out More Announcements