Cal Odyssey Members,

The NorCal Board of Directors has approved the implementation of age group registration by calendar year, as mandated by the U.S. Soccer Federation. The registration of youth soccer players nationwide will shift to calendar-year age grouping, as opposed to the current school-year age grouping. The board approved a motion for NorCal programs and competitions to introduce the change to calendar-year registration for the 2016/17 soccer year. The board also approved a one-year phase in for the Small-Sides Games mandate for ages U8 through U12. The 2016/17 soccer year will serve as a transition year to the U.S. Soccer specifications on the NorCal programs listed above, and the Small-Sides Games requirements will be fully implemented for the 2017/18 soccer year. These U.S.S.F. coaching initiatives, which will be mandated by August of 2017, are focused on advancing youth players’ individual skill and intelligence, and providing players with the best opportunity to improve.

I have met with the Cal Odyssey coaching directors regarding these mandates and we will have many more meetings to ensure a smooth transition to the new requirements. We will be meeting with the full coaching staff in the near future regarding the transition. There will be no changes in the immediate future and once our planning is complete we will let everyone know what to expect. Pleases do not inundate the coaches with questions regarding which team your child will be on or who will coach the team as these decisions will be made at a later date. I know there will be a lot of questions from parents and players about the transition but we ask for your patience as we plan for the future.

David Bynum

President Cal Odyssey

The full implementation plan for all soccer Clubs that participate in NorCal can be found here: http://www.norcalpremier.com/home/894044.html