LCYSA Team Formation & Playing Up Policy

Lake Country Youth Soccer Association (LCYSA) is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate soccer experience for all participants. Team formation and player placement are guided by BC Soccer’s Long-Term Player Development (LTPD) model and Grassroots standards, which emphasize age-appropriate play, enjoyment, and long-term growth.

Age Group Placement

Players are assigned to teams based on their birth year, in accordance with BC Soccer guidelines. This approach supports appropriate physical, emotional, social, and technical development while fostering positive peer relationships and enjoyment of the game.

Playing Up an Age Group

Placement of a player into an older age group (“playing up”) is not standard practice and will be considered only in exceptional circumstances.

Approval to play up may be granted solely at the discretion of LCYSA and requires a comprehensive review of the player’s:

• Demonstrated outstanding technical ability

• Physical, emotional, and social maturity

• Decision-making ability and understanding of the game

• Willingness and readiness to participate in a more challenging environment

All factors must clearly indicate that playing up is in the best interest of the player’s long-term development and overall well-being.

Policy Intent

LCYSA prioritizes the long-term development, safety, confidence, and enjoyment of all players. In the vast majority of cases, participation within a player’s designated age group best supports these objectives. Requests to play up may be declined even when a player demonstrates advanced skill, if other developmental factors are not met.

Final Decision

All decisions regarding team placement and requests to play up are final and made in alignment with BC Soccer guidelines and LCYSA’s commitment to fair, consistent, and development-focused programming.