Several American football directors for young people have published a joint declaration in the standard age group format sanctioned by the American Football Federation. This occurs in the middle of an in progress discussion to find out if the sanction of American football will be held in the format of the calendar year, which he adopted in 2017, or will return in the school year.
THE Current structure of the age group is known as the civil format of the year or of birth, which sorts teams and divisions by year of birth. The teams are made up of players born only in 2010 or 2009, for example, that these players were in the same year at school.
Many consider that the format of the age group of the school year (from August 1 to July 31) as a little more natural, because the youth teams are structured in a way that brings together as many players of the same year of graduation as possible. This structure of the school year is practiced in other major countries, including England.
The CEO of American youth football, Skip Gilbert, the CEO of Football of the US Club, Mike Cullina, and the national president Ayso Doug Ryan published a statement on the issue, while American football is currently examining his policy.
See below for the complete joint declaration:
US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer and the AYSO members and participants,
In 2017, American football decided to modify the training of age groups per school year (August 1-July 31) compared to the calendar year (January 1-31-31). Since the change, we have reviewed the impact on our sport, especially for players of all ages and all levels of competition.
In recent months, American football, at the request of its technical development committee, has embarked on an examination of this decision. We support these efforts and appreciate their approach to start members of the organization, leagues and clubs in the collection of comments. In addition, football of young Americans, football of American clubs and Ayso have requested and shared additional comments between them in order to make the most informed and appropriate decision for our sport.
Football of young Americans, football of American clubs and Ayso have been in constant communication on the subject, recognizing the importance of consistency in the three largest football organizations for young people in America. The youth and United States youth and the United States Leadership Leaders’ teams met in person in September, more recently in September at the American youth youth base in Salt Lake City. In addition, we welcome the involvement of other members of the American football organization.
We believe that all decisions should be made as a collective with as many youth organizations as possible, and it is our intention to do so.
As president and vice-president of the Technical Development Committee for American Football and young people’s representatives on the board of directors, Mike Cullina (CEO of football of the American club) and Louis Mateus (US Youth Soccer Board of Directors) are directly involved in the conversation and recommendation of the American football board. As president of the Youth Council and young people from the Board of Directors, Tina Rincon (Chairman of the US Youth Football Board of Directors) is also actively committed.
The next meeting of the American football council is November 22, 2024. We expect this subject to be on the agenda of this meeting and, consequently, an official and public decision by the end of the calendar.
As always, thank you for your passion for sport and commitment to our athletes.
Jump Gilbert
CEO of football to young Americans
Mike Cullina
CEO of American club football
Doug Ryan
National President of AYSO
