Playing Up can typically occur one of two ways:

1. Via a requests by parents/guardians.

• Request Procedure – Requests must be submitted in writing (email is acceptable) prior to tryouts for the age group being requested. The request should contain all pertinent information (i.e. player’s DOB, grade in school, ODP/National team experience).
• All requests will be reviewed by the Director of Coaching and technical staff. Players whose request to tryout in an older age group is approved must attend both the requested age group as well as the age-appropriate group tryout.
• Approval must be requested and granted annually for any player seeking to play up.
• It is also possible that the request may be denied.

2.  Via the technical staff observations of the players’ developmental needs - this means a player may be identified by the technical staff and then a recommendation made about playing up an age group.

Guidelines for Playing Up

Who Plays Up? -- When it is appropriate for the players’ development, the opportunity for the exceptional player to play with older players shall be considered. For the purposes of this policy, the exceptional player shall be defined as being in the top 50% of players in the older age group highest level team (based primarily upon tryout performance and prior coaching evaluations) for which he/she may desire or being considered for.

Playing up is the exception rather than the rule.

Dual Rostering -- Players granted permission to play up may be dual rostered (please refer to dual rostering policy for further information) to their own age group. There will be no additional cost incurred to the player for the administration of this procedure or for extra games or practices. The player may be asked to contribute towards tournament expenses if they attend an event as a dual rostered player. It should be noted that when a player dual rosters the club has to declare the players “cup team” this is sometimes referred to as the “primary team” and defines which team the player will play with in a state cup series event. This will typically be the team the player is playing up with.

U14 Age Group – In the event a player is of age to play U14, but is granted permission to play U15, it will be highly recommended that the player plays both seasons (U15 only play fall or spring) as this will aid the players’ development. In the event the players primary team (U15) is attending a tournament the weekend of league games the player may be expected to attend the tournament. The scenarios will be dealt with on a case by case basis. When a player plays both seasons (fall and spring) rather than one (fall or spring) they are expected to pay the two season rate rather than the one season rate. Tournament fees are to be paid to the individual teams.
 
Junior Year - When a player has been playing up and is going into their junior year it will be recommended that they play in their own age group so that college exposure can be maximized. This would give the player two years of “showcase” opportunities thus maximizing their potential college placement and allowing them a greater time period time to consider offers. In the event a player does not wish to play in college, but is a junior, consideration will be given to allowing the player to remain with their current team. All cases will dealt with on an individual basis.
 
Soccer Year vs. School Year - North Carolina “Soccer Year” (begins August 1st) and the “School Year” (begins mid October) differ by approx 10 weeks. As such some players fall into an area where their age allows them to play in a different age group to which they attend school. These cases will be treated on a case by case basis and we ask that parents contact the Executive Director to create an awareness of this situation. These players will need to follow the “Playing Up” procedure request if they wish to be considered to play in their grade year and are subject to the clubs Tryout policy.

Consultation

• The Executive Director DOC or /and technical staff may consult with previous coaches, tryout coordinators and others as deemed appropriate before rendering a decision. All tryout results, coach’s evaluations and other factors in rendering a decision remain confidential and are not distributed by the DOC or designee.
• Players and Parents/Guardians will be involved in the decision making process so that ideas can be shared and education offered as to the benefits of playing up or remaining in their own age group.

Approvals/denials associated with requests to play up will not be motivated by any action to intentionally strengthen/weaken a particular team.

As a result of registration/tryout numbers, the Club may seek volunteers to play up in order to complete a team roster. This is only used on rare occasions in order to field a team.

The DOC or technical staff member will communicate all playing up decisions.

The above guidelines serve to give general direction to the DOC or designee and do not necessarily cover all unique situations presented for consideration.

All decisions are final. There is no process to appeal a decision to deny permission to play up.