Playing Up - Younger Players in Older Divisions

General Info

"Playing Up" refers to when younger players play in an older age category.

Pending evaluation by coaches, if you and your player feel they are ready to play at an older level, they may do so; but only if numbers permit it and a coach has approved it.

Even if they are not selected for an older team, if their coach feels they are ready, older teams are frequently in need of guest players to fill out their rosters. It's not uncommon for 1 to 3 younger players to be invited up as substitute players on the older teams, for any given game.

Parents are also expected to sign an age waiver for their child to be allowed to play in an older division. The waiver may be downloaded from the BCYSL website, here: BCYSL Age Waiver

2nd-Graders and Travel Soccer

2nd-Graders are generally not quite ready for travel soccer, and we strongly recommend that all 2nd-Grade players take part in our Mighty Kickers Saturdays programs. However, if parents and their 2nd-Grader both believe they are ready to play travel soccer, pending an evaluation by coaches, they may be allowed to play. At this level, there is a huge range in development: mentally, emotionally and physically. This is not a competition. If your 2nd-Grader is determined not to be ready, please let them know that they could still be the best 3rd-Grade soccer player in Berkshire County ... next year.

We care about the safety of every player and we care that every player has the best experience possible. Decisions are NOT based on whether a team will win or lose, because there are no standings or scoring kept at this age. Decisions are based on safety and maximizing the experience for all involved. Coaches' decisions may be imperfect, but they are final; and we humbly request that you respect that ... and please sign your 3rd-Grader up for travel soccer, next school year!
If your 2nd-Grader is accepted, but it later appears that they weren't quite ready after all, either as a risk to themselves or a disruption to the team, the coach may request that your child wait another year and your fees will be fully refunded. We promise that your player will be warmly welcomed back next year.
Finally, for every 2nd-Grader who plays in travel soccer, a completed and signed age waiver is required, in order to be allowed to play in Travel Soccer. Download it from the BCYSL website, here: BCYSL Age Waiver

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2nd-Graders and Travel Soccer

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