NEW U9-U12 PLAYERS

Still looking for a team? Fill out our player questionnaire below to see if we have a fit

Player Questionnaire

2026–27 Age Group Transition Policy (Birth Year to School Year)

Purpose

To support player development and roster continuity during the transition from birth-year to school-year age grouping, EPSC will allow limited “play-up” flexibility for the 2026–27 seasonal year.

Policy Statement
For the 2026–27 season only, players may be permitted to play in an older age group aligned with their 2025–26 birth-year placement, subject to strict evaluation criteria.

Eligibility Criteria
Approval to play up will be granted only to players who clearly demonstrate the ability to make a positive impact at the higher age group. This includes:


Technical ability: Able to perform consistently at the speed and quality of the older group
Tactical understanding: Demonstrates game awareness appropriate for the level
Physical readiness: Can safely and effectively compete with older players
Psychological maturity: Shows confidence, resilience, and coachability
Team impact: Projects as a meaningful contributor, not solely a roster filler

Approval Process
Final decisions will be made by the Director of Coaching (DOC) in collaboration with:
Age Group Directors and team coaches

Evaluations may include:
Prior season performance (2025–26)
Training observations
Tryout results

Roster Considerations
Priority will be given to maintaining:
Balanced rosters
Appropriate development environments for all players
Players approved to play up will not be guaranteed positional roles or playing time

Duration
This policy applies only to the 2026–27 seasonal year
All placements will be reassessed annually beginning in 2027–28 under full school-year alignment

Guiding Principle
The primary objective is to ensure that all placement decisions:
Support long-term player development
Maintain competitive integrity
Align with EPSC’s values of Passion, Respect, and Excellence

*Players will tryout at their own age group (2026-27 school year) but this is as much for logistics as anything else. Players will be considered for their current age group team (2025-26). Players with August birthdays who are in an older grade will automatically be eligible to “play up”. Players cannot play down in age.

Grade Eligible Players
Players whose school grade matches the older peer group can request to try out with the older age group.
Example: August 12th, 2011 = 15U for the 2026/27 Season
However, if this player was an incoming 10th grader, they would be eligible to tryout with the 16U (10th grade) age group.

Any questions please email tryout@epsoccerclub.com

TRYOUTS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

  • How are the Try Out sessions structured?

    • There is no onsite registration required.
    • Try Out session #1: players will play small-sided soccer games. Players will be assessed on their technical ability and decision-making skills.
    • Try Out session #2: players will play 9v9 and 11v11 matches.

  • Who will be assessing my player during Try Outs?

    • Players will be assessed by multiple coaches and will be placed on the most appropriate team.

  • How does the assessment process work?

    • During the Try Out sessions, coaches will use a software that automatically inputs scores for players into the EPSC system. 
    • The numbers assigned to players during these sessions are them coupled with coach and Director scores to provide one overall score for each player.
    • All EPSC Staff are involved in the team formation process.

  • How are teams formed once Try Outs have concluded?

    • If players cannot attend, they can still be placed on a team, but must be registered in the Try Out event on PlayMetrics.
    • To be placed on a team, any participating player must be registered in the Try Out event on PlayMetrics. No exceptions will be made.
    • Players are placed within 48 hours after the final Try Out session. Notification of team placement will arrive via email.

  • What should my player bring to the Try Out Session?

    • Current EPSC players should wear their training jersey.
    • New players should wear weather appropriate clothing, including shorts and a soccer jersey or t-shirt
    • All players must wear shin guards
    • Plenty of water
    • A fully inflated size 4 or 5 soccer ball
    • Pinnies will be handed out at the field

  • My player wants to be a goalkeeper. Will there be specific sessions for goalkeepers?

    • Goalkeepers should plan to attend their respective age group tryout.
    • Goalkeepers will train with the EPSC Goalkeeper Director for approximately half of the session.

  • What if my player is unable to attend the Try Out Sessions or can only attend one of them?

    • Current EPSC players unable to attend will be placed according to prior season coach evaluations and Director player rankings. 
    • If you know that your player is unavailable for one or both sessions, please register your player under the Try Out event in PlayMetrics, note the absence in your registration, AND notify club staff at Info@EPSoccerClub.com.
    • New players who cannot attend the session will be placed on the most developmentally appropriate team.
    • Placements cannot be contested. However, players will be assessed by EPSC staff during the Fall season and moved to a more developmentally appropriate team in the Spring, if needed.

  • What if my player is new to EPSC, but should be on a 13U-19U (birth years 2013-2007) team?

    This Try Out session is only for 9U-12U (birth years 2017-2014) players. If you have a player who is interested in joining EPSC at one of the 13U-19U (birth years 2013-2007) age group levels, please reach out to our 13U-19U Age Group Director, Chris Bagshaw, at chrisdoc@epsoccerclub.com for age-specific openings and tryout opportunities.

  • How long do I have to make a decision for my player?

    • You will have 48 hours to accept the team placement offer for your player.
    • If you do not accept your spot within 48 hours, there is no guarantee that your player's spot will still be available.