Fall 2024 Age Brackets. In accordance with US Youth Soccer rules, our registration age brackets are defined by calendar birth year (not school grade). With that said, there is flexibility in the PreK-2nd Grade Recreational Program, where we do allow kids to play with their school grade, regardless of birth year. Depending on your child's birth year, you may see multiple registration options available, as some of the younger age brackets "overlap" to provide that flexibility. In general, we encourage PreK-2 players to play with their school grade, but some advanced players may be better suited in the "older" group. This is especially the case for rising 2nd graders born in 2016, who will have the option to play either 2nd grade Rec soccer, or to play in the Travel soccer program with 2015-2016 aged children (primarily 3rd-4th graders) in the U10 age group. Along those lines, rising 3rd graders should sign up for U10 Travel soccer, even though they may also see "2nd grade Rec soccer" available as an available option (if they were born in 2016).

Here are the registration options you will see, based on your child's birth year (only sign up for one). **Update June 1, 2024: registration is closed for Fall travel soccer, so you will no longer see the options for U10-U15 travel soccer.**

2020: PreK
2019: PreK, Kindergarten
2018: Kindergarten, 1st Grade
2017: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade
2016: 2nd Grade, U10 Travel closed 6/1/2024
2015: U10 Travel closed 6/1/2024
2014: U12 Travel closed 6/1/2024
2013: U12 Travel closed 6/1/2024
2012: U15 Travel closed 6/1/2024
2011: U15 Travel  closed 6/1/2024
2010: U15 Travel (for rising 8th graders) closed 6/1/2024

The program descriptions below highlight some of the differences between Recreational and Travel soccer (cost, commitment, etc). Please don't hesitate to reach out to an ELSA board member with any questions.

ELSA Fall 2024 PreK-2 Recreational Soccer
Saturday morning recreational soccer for kids entering PreK through 2nd Grade in Fall 2024.
-8 sessions, from Saturday 07Sep through Saturday, 26Oct
Times:
Pre-K: 10:30 - 11:15am
Kindergarten: 9:00 - 10:00am
1st Grade: 9:00 - 10:15am
2nd Grade: 10:30 - 11:45am

-Location: Samuel M. Peretz Park (AKA, "Bridebrook Park"), 221 W. Main St., Niantic CT 06357
-$75 registration fee includes ELSA T-shirt
-unlike Travel soccer, registration for fall PreK-2 soccer does not include the Spring 2025 season
-Parent volunteer coaches are needed, and no experience required!

ELSA Fall 2024 / Spring 2025 Travel Soccer
-For players who will be entering 3rd-8th grade in Fall 2024 (birth years 2010-2016)
-Two practices per week plus game on weekends; all teams eligible for tournaments
-Registration fee includes Fall '24 and Spring '25 seasons (this is unique to the travel program)
-Registration fee does not include uniform (additional $116)