Effective in the fall of 2016, U.S. Soccer mandated changes that affected all youth soccer organizations, including those affiliated with Connecticut Junior Soccer Association.

Previously, age groups (U10, for example) were determined based on players born between August 1 and July 31. This August 1 cutoff meant that two players born in the same year could be in different age groups.

Beginning the Fall of 2016, however, there was a change to calendar-year age groups; specifically, players will be grouped based on their birth year (January 1 to December 31). Simply put, if you are born in a certain year, you belong in that certain age group.

One of the main reasons U.S. Soccer is making this change is based on its desire to ensure "a balance of players that are born throughout the year..., those born in the earlier months and those born later, have equal opportunity to grow and develop as soccer players.

Please use the matrix below to line up your child's birth year, which will show the specific age group for a given season.