Exeter United FC

As mentioned in our post yesterday, we are going to share a series of messages over the next week to familiarize you with Exeter United FC, the programs we offer to any interested youth soccer players in our area and help you understand how to navigate these options to have your child participate in the beautiful game with our club.

Today we will be explaining AGE GROUPS for youth soccer and describing the big changes that will start with the 2026-27 season beginning this fall.

Age groups are and will continue to be determined based on a player’s Date of Birth. Prior to 2016, age groups were organized using the ‘school year’ model. That year, US Youth Soccer mandated that all youth soccer switch to organizing age groups by ‘birth year’ (from January 1st to December 31st). The use of birth year age groups was designed to help youth development and talent identification. The reality is that this was beneficial for only a very small percentage of players at the elite level of youth soccer in the US and had some negative, unintended consequences for many youth players playing both club and scholastically. Therefore, beginning this fall, US Youth Soccer has decided to return to SCHOOL YEAR age groups by applying August 1st as the date for age group cutoffs. Additional explanation can be found here: https://usclubsoccer.org/age-group-cut-off-update-for-2026-27-season

What does this mean for players interested in Exeter United FC programs? Nearly all teams will be impacted by this update. Beginning with the FALL 2026 season, players will be placed in school year age groups as shown in the chart above. This means players born before August 1st will move up to the next age group and players born before August 1st will return to the appropriate age group by remaining in the age group they were in this past year. Players are not being held back. This is a re-grouping so that players in club soccer can play with the same teammates they will begin junior high and high school with.

Exeter United FC is in full support of this return to age groups organized by SCHOOL YEAR (Aug 1- July 31). This will be applied to all PROGRAMS we offer (Intramural, Recreational Travel and Competitive Travel). We understand that many players may be disappointed to lose current teammates from this switch. But the only way to do this right and see the benefits this switch is going to provide is to implement this fully and equally across all players we serve.

Additional Notes regarding school year age groups:
++ Players will still transition to the next age group at the start of each FALL season. For example, a player in the U10 age group this fall will still be U10 for the SPRING 2027 season and will move up to the U11 age group in the FALL 2027 season.
++ Although not shown in the chart EUFC does offer our Intramural program for players in the U5 age group. This fall we will welcome players born on or after July 31, 2022.
++ Requests will be considered to have players play up an age group, but these will need to be limited to allow us to still effectively form team rosters and only for those players suited to do so developmentally.
++ EUFC is eager to welcome players U14 & older who are interested to just play and have fun. We are looking to field multiple teams for these older age groups on Recreational Travel teams in the Suburban Counties Soccer League (SCSL).

In case you missed it, be aware that registration is open for the FALL 2026 season for all players U9 (8/1/2017 – 7/31/2018) & older. Players in the U9 through U12 age groups must attend tryouts which begin on May 11th.
https://system.gotsport.com/programs/2I4994748

We are happy to announce the Exeter High School Girls Soccer Youth Summer Camp Exeter HS Girls Soccer Boosters Club

Exeter High School Girls Soccer Youth Summer Camp
Join us for two evenings of fun, skill-building, and teamwork at the Exeter High School Girls Soccer Youth Summer Camp!
Dates: June 15–16, 2026 (Monday & Tuesday)
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Don Thomas Stadium, Exeter Township Senior High School
201 E. 37th St, Reading, PA 19606

This camp is open to boys and girls entering 1st–8th grade for the 2026–2027 school year. Players will have the opportunity to develop their soccer skills, learn from experienced coaches, and enjoy the game in a positive and supportive environment.
Cost: $40 (due by Monday, May 18, 2026) which includes a camp t-shirt

Payment Options:
Venmo: -Putt
Check: Payable to Exeter Girls Soccer Boosters
Mail to: 73 Scotland Drive, Reading, PA 19606

Registration Link: https://forms.gle/A7ie1no4G5VWgvpo9
Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to grow your game and have fun this summer—we hope to see you on the field!