No doubt many are aware that the United State Soccer Federation (USSF) has announced they will be abandoning the “school year” classification of players in favor of a “birth year” classification beginning in 2017-18. 

United States Youth Soccer, of which our state association the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) is a member, has decided to mandate that change a year early, beginning with the 2016-17 season.  Of course, the Grand Valley Soccer Association (GVSA), our Affiliating League, and the Michigan State Premier Soccer Program (MSPSP), where our teams participate, will be following the directive of the state association beginning this fall.

Currently, players are placed into competitive groups depending on their age on August 1.   This year for example,  a player 14 years-old on August 1, 2015, with a birthday on July 11 2001;  would be classified in the U15 (Under 15) age group.

With this “school year” way of classifying players, there are players on the team from the example above who were born in 2000 and 2001.  Having players on teams, often born in different years, is currently the norm for all Lakeshore Premier SC teams and all soccer teams in Michigan, regardless of competitive level.

Beginning with the 2016-17 seasons, MSYSA has mandated the change to a birth year status where the year a player was born will determine the age group the player is part of.   For the 2016-17 season, this chart illustrates what age group the MSYSA, GVSA and the MSPSL will classify players as.

Birth Year                               Age Group

2005                                          U12

2004                                          U13

2003                                          U14

2002                                          U15

2001                                          U16

2000                                          U17

1999                                          U18

1998                                          U19

Of course, this raises all kinds of questions which is why we hope you’ll continue reading to see how Lakeshore Premier SC is handling this significant change.

We have been reviewing the documentation provided by MSYSA, as well as communicating with other clubs in the competitive soccer community.  We’re finding that not all clubs are doing the same thing, but rather, are tailoring their responses to circumstances unique to their club.

Please know that EVERY soccer club in the state is determining how to respond to this mandate.

The MSPSP is helping clubs manage this upcoming shift by amending several leagues rules that will provide clubs flexibility in organizing teams for the 2016-17 season and beyond.

When determining our response, we need to keep in perspective the smaller size of our club relative to many of those we compete against.  While we have fewer teams then most, we still maintain a significant competitive position within the MSPSP.  That’s a result of the outstanding players and coaches who participate in our program.

Given our geographic location and population base, we do not typically see the kind of turnout at tryouts that many of our larger competitors do.  Of course, we are not alone where that’s concerned.

Lakeshore Premier SC has seen significant competitive growth in the five years since the club began in the fall of 2010.  Our model of providing players along the lakeshore with an affordable, convenient club in which to participate in the higher level of MSPSP soccer continues to be an unparalleled opportunity to grow in the game.

Nearly all our teams are competing in the MSPSP P1 division this spring.

There simply is no precedent along the lakeshore for what this club, players and coaches have accomplished in terms of competitive circumstances and success.  That’s underscored this year with the U14 Boys who won their pool this spring in the Michigan State Cup with a 3-0-0 record that included a convincing victory over a State Cup semi-finalist from last year, and who will play this weekend in the Round of 16 to determine further advancement.

It’s also seen in the fact that seven players from last fall’s U18 Women’s team have committed to playing college soccer next season, and there are over a dozen players currently playing college soccer since our first U18 teams cycled out just two years ago.

Most do not remember a time when there was no such program.  Families had two choices; remain with their home Select clubs, or absorb the high cost and difficult logistics of driving to Grand Rapids to play premier soccer.

It’s why we all have much at stake as the club moves forward in complying with the age change, insuring a tremendously competitive experience for players at all age groups.

In talking with our coaches, comparing what other clubs are doing, and what amended league rules are going to allow, it is our intention to keep current players aligned with current teams to the extent that is possible.

While it’s not feasible in every age group, for different reasons, we think such a move will serve players and families well, providing predictability, consistency and most importantly, competitiveness.

Players registering for tryouts who were NOT rostered on a Lakeshore Premier SC team in 2015-16 should register for their age-appropriate tryout using the Birth Year classification.

In most instances, teams will be formed to compete at the age level of the older players on the team. 

For the upcoming season, we see teams developing consistent with this chart.

 

2015-16 Team                                       2016-17 Team                                                  Season

U18 Women & U17/16 Girls        U18/17/16 Girls with birth years 99/00/01                  Fall 2016

U18/17 Boys & U16 Boys           U19/18/17 Boys with birth years 98/99/00                  Spring 2017

U15 Boys                                        U17 Boys with birth years 00/01                             Spring 2017

U14 Boys                                        U16 Boys with birth year 01/02                               Spring 2017

U13 Boys                                        U15 Boys with birth year 02/03                               Fall 2016/Spring 2017

U13 Girls                                         U14 Girls with birth year 03                                    Fall 2016/Spring 2017

U12 Boys                                        U14 Boys with birth year 03/04                              Fall 2016/Spring 2017

No Previous Team                              U13 Boys with birth year 04                                Fall 2016/Spring 2017

No Previous Team                              U13 Girls with birth year 04                                 Fall 2016/Spring 2017

No Previous Team                              U12 Boys with birth year 05                                Fall 2016/Spring 2017

 

As you review these charts, please know there may be circumstances that could cause a realignment of some of the age group offerings, but at this time, this is how we see team formation occurring.

The MSPSP has amended two rules which will make this transition a bit easier.  The first is suspending the requirement that 51% of the roster be comprised of players who are of the age for the division the team will be participating in.   The other rule being suspended would have required that 51% of the roster be the same from the previous year to maintain a team’s divisional status.

The MSPSP will be hosting an unprecedented Directors of Coaching Divisional Assignment meeting later this summer to aid in putting teams where they rightfully belong.  As you might imagine, the MSPSP is expecting a great amount of movement in players and teams, so they are taking this steps to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Unfortunately, there are going to be challenges in implementing this new US Youth Soccer, USSF/MSYSA requirement, and while it may impact individual players differently, the club’s goal is to maintain the competitive success that our teams enjoy, providing a unique experience for elite players to grow in the game.

Out of necessity, the club will monitor tryout registrations, insuring that players are placed commensurate with their standing in the club during the 2015-16 season, and/or their individual competitive circumstance. 

The club retains the exclusive right to place participants consistent with our competitive goals.

With the distribution of this note, the club will now begin moving forward with the administrative functions necessary for a successful tryout. 

PLAYER FEES will remain the same for 2016-17. To review fees, please CLICK HERE.

ON-LINE Tryout Registration is now open.  You can CLICK HERE to be taken to the Easy Register option.

COACHING ANNOUNCEMENTS will begin on May, 21, 2016.  Be sure and follow us on FACEBOOK to get the latest.  We are excited to welcome a new coach to Lakeshore Premier SC, so be sure and stay tuned!

TRYOUTS SCHEDULE will be posted on May 22, 2016. The schedule will be available on the TRYOUTS page of the Lakeshore Premier SC website.   Tryouts this year for ALL MSPSL PREMIER TEAMS will be held on June 18, 2016 at White Pines Middle School in the morning.

Lakeshore Premier SC appreciates your understanding and patience as we implement this new directive from youth soccer’s governing bodies.  We’ll continue answering questions emailed to lakeshorepremier@gmail.com, and provide guidance to coaches and families as we seek to improve our efforts in offering a highly affordable, convenient and very competitive soccer experience.

Thank you,

Lakeshore Premier SC