Expert Responses
We received six expert responses from Youth Coach Advisory Group members
Steph Hempen, Allie Galoob, Lula Bauer, Tom Turner, Danielle Fagan, Dai Redwood
As we look ahead to age-group changes for next year, we want to acknowledge that there are many factors involved, and each club approaches these decisions differently. Our goal is always to look at each player individually and make choices that best support their long-term development, confidence, and enjoyment of the game.
If a player moves to a team that matches their school grade after previously playing with mostly older players, this is not automatically a step backward. In many cases, it can be a very positive move. Players may now be training and competing with their school peers, which often supports confidence, leadership growth, and overall comfort both on and off the field.
Some families worry this could mean a “drop in level,” but more often it places the player in the correct age group for the college recruiting timeline. This gives players an additional year to physically, mentally, and technically develop, more time to be seen by college coaches, and a better chance to grow into meaningful roles rather than feeling rushed.
There are also practical benefits: players often see more consistent playing time, have increased opportunities to lead, and can apply what they’ve learned from playing with older teammates in a setting where they can make a bigger impact. From a physical standpoint, being with a similar age group can also reduce injury risk and allow development to happen at a more appropriate pace.
While there may be specific cases when staying with an older age group makes sense, those situations are the exception rather than the rule. For most players, being in their correct grade year creates a healthier, more confident, and more sustainable pathway for long-term growth and success in the sport.
Find Steph’s response useful?
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