As part of ongoing efforts to align player development nationally, US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, and NJ Youth Soccer announced age group changes for the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 soccer season. 

• For new U8 Teams and new U9 Teams (current U8 Teams) we plan to enforce the new age group rules highlighted below.
• For current U9 Teams and above, our intention is to "keep teams together", letting a player continue to play in the age group they are currently in, if that is what they prefer to do.
• With a lot of the other clubs requiring players to play in their age group  we recommend that players not on the A team tryout for their age appropriate age group.  Next year parents and players should take into account that the teams they are playing against will be going against other players who have decided to play age appropriate.    Existing Freehold parents should take into account that other Freehold players will choose to play in their correct year which might have existing players move down to a lower team.   Again,  we are allowing families a choice but want families to understand what it means to remain playing within the same age group.
• Parents for U10 Teams and above will be advised to register and try out for the age group they intend to play during the 2026/27 season.
  
• Players will not be forced to rate in the top 5 to "Play Up" to keep playing in their current age group.
• You do not need to attend multiple age group tryouts to receive a rating.

Note:  If a player (1) was eligible to repeat an age group, (2) decided to stay in their current age group for tryouts (3) and does not get an offer for that age group, the Director of Coaching will work with the player to give them an offer for an appropriate team in the younger age group.

Keep in mind the amount of player movement may dictate that we combine age groups and play them up, in order to keep all kids playing travel soccer that wish to.