Team Formation Changes are happening at BENSC
Starting with the Fall 2026 season US Club Soccer, USYS, Nebraska State Soccer, BENSC (and all competitive clubs in the state of Nebraksa) are returning to creating teams/rosters based on the age group formation rather than birth year team formation.
What does this mean?
-Players will be rostered to a team now based on dates like a school year of August 1st - July 31st.
Why is this change happening?
-Better alignment with school and social groups
This closely matches the typical US school grade structure - meaning players are more often grouped with classmates and friends they naturally see everyday.
-Reduce roster disruption and "trapped" players
Under calendar-year systems, a player might be the youngest or oldest in a group or could even get left without a team because many teammates moved up in grade. The school year format reduces these mismatches and long term disruptions throughout multiple seasons. Having roster dates of August 1st - July 31st will eliminate the trapped players during the transition from 8th to 9th grade and again when players are seniors.
-Enhancing participation and player development
Feedback indicated that aligning age groups with academic grade levels could increase participation and make the soccer experience more meaningful for kids - socially and developmentally.
What is BENSC doing to help with this change?
-We are looking at current rosters and numbers in each age group and how those will shift for the Fall 26 season.
-Preparing BENSC club coaches for the change and what to expect.
-Working on finding coaches for each age group.
What if my player is older or younger for their age group/grade in school? Will they be rostered to a team based on where their birth year now falls on the age group calculator or will they be rostered to a team based on their grade in school?
-Players will be rostered to a team based on where their birthdate falls on the age group calculator, per the rules of Nebraska State Soccer and NYSL. This eliminates some players being rostered to a team a full year older than other players in the same grade.
About BENSC
Bennington Soccer Club is a non-profit, community based youth organization, located in Bennington, NE. The mission of our Club is to provide the youth of the Bennington area and surrounding communities the opportunity to participate in recreational and competitive soccer leagues by teaching and demonstrating soccer skills, sportsmanship, honesty, respect, and fair play.
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