Player Registration Process

All players applying for membership must do so through an affiliated member club. Travel players may only submit an application through one member club per seasonal-year. See the instructions below for the registration methods available to Member Clubs. The general process is the same for both recreational and travel programs.

All clubs must complete the Annual Affiliation Form to begin the registration process on an annual basis.

Registration Document Requirements for Players

Travel players must submit a proof of age document upon their first competitive registration with NJYS, and a recent head-portrait photo (within the past 6 months) on a bi-annual basis. Recreational players are not required to submit any documents for registration.

Player SafeSport Requirement: All players that are 18 years old or will be 18 years old by seasonal year end are required to complete SafeSport training prior to team assignment. Click here for additional information.

Out of State Player Registration

For questions related to Out of State player registration, please contact registration@njyouthsoccer.com.

Coach Registration Process

To register as a coach for the 2025-2026 seasonal year, click the appropriate link below:

 For an instructional video, click here.

NOTE:  When registering, be sure to use the exact variation of the first name, last name, and date of birth that you have previously used to avoid creating a duplicate account that requires new uploads for all compliance documents. 

Compliance Requirements for Coaches

All coaches (i.e., travel, recreation, and TOPSoccer) must submit NJYS approved compliance documents and pass a NJYS background check in their Sports Connect account for verification (if not previously verified).

The Coaching Education requirement is satisfied by completing a minimum of the NJYS State Certificate (Formerly “F” License), US Soccer Grassroots Licenses (online or in-person), National D, National C, National B, or National A licenses. The “Y” course will temporarily satisfy the minimum coaching education requirement.  Coaches with a “Y” course certificate will be required to upgrade to the NJYS State Certificate or complete a US Soccer Grassroots License course. Note: UEFA diplomas, United Soccer Coaches Diplomas (formerly NSCAA), and the Rutgers Safety Course certificate do not satisfy this requirement. Click here to visit our course offerings.

The Concussion Education requirement is satisfied by completing the CDC Heads Up! course or the NFHS Head Injury Awareness course. Click here to learn more.

The SafeSport Training requirement must be completed on an annual basis, with a certificate dated after January 1st for the start of the seasonal year in which the coach applies (e.g., Jan. 1, 2025 for the 2025-2026 seasonal year). Click here to learn more.

The NJYS Background Check must be submitted through the NJYS registration provider every other year and screens federal, state, county, and municipal databases for criminal offenses. This check may also review the SafeSport Disqualification List and Discipline & Risk Management lists for National Governing Bodies. Adult participants must submit and pass the background check to be eligible for participation. The necessary information is collected during the regular coach registration process.

Age Group Formation Change FAQs

What is changing?

Beginning with the 2026/27 seasonal year, youth soccer age groups will be formed using a school-year cycle (Aug 1 – Jul 31) rather than a calendar-year cycle (Aug 1 – Jul 31). Players will be grouped with peers who are generally in the same academic grade instead of strictly by birth year.

This change also updates the youth soccer seasonal year, which will now run from Aug 1 through Jul 31.

Why is this change being made?

This change to a school year age-based formation cycle is being made based on feedback, data and expert input that indicates aligning players with their school grade peers will be more inclusive, provide more enjoyment and help increase participation.

Improve Enjoyment and Participation through Social Belonging and Peer Connections

What is the challenge with social belonging under the calendar-year model?

• Under a calendar-year age group formation cycle, players on the same team may be in different school grades, have separate peer groups, and experience differing stages of social development.
• This can result in children playing with teammates they do not see at school, which may contribute to feelings of social disconnection—particularly at younger ages.

How does the school-year model help improve social belonging and participation?

• A school-year age group formation cycle more closely mirrors school classrooms and peer groups. Players are more likely to:
  • Already know their teammates
  • Share social circles and support systems
  • Travel together to school and activities
• Feelings of social belonging and peer connections are associated with enjoyment, commitment and sustained participation in the sport.

Reduce the impact of the Relative Age Effect (RAE)

What is the Relative Age Effect (RAE)?

The Relative Age Effect occurs when players are grouped within a fixed 12-month age window, creating age gaps of up to one year within the same age group.

As a result, players born earlier in the cycle are more likely to:

• Be physically larger and stronger, particularly at younger ages
• Be identified as more advanced or “talented”
• Receive more playing time, positive coaching feedback, and selection to higher-level teams

Why does the School Year age group formation cycle help?

While a school-year age group formation cycle does not eliminate the Relative Age Effect, it helps reduce its impact.

By aligning players more closely by school grade, school-year cohorts better match players across:

• Cognitive development
• Emotional maturity
• Physical development timelines

This alignment narrows both perceived and actual maturity gaps within teams, particularly at younger ages (U7–U12), creating a more balanced and inclusive playing environment.

How does this improve player participation and enjoyment of the game?

Playing with school-age peers in the same maturity band, late-born or late-developing players feel more competitive and confident, which creates an environment where more players feel they belong.

This consequently leads to more equitable evaluations, greater retention of late-born players, and an overall more positive experience for the player.

Increase “Trapped Player” Participation

Who is a “Trapped Player”?

A “Trapped Player” is typically:

• An 8th-grade player who is age-eligible for U15, or
• An 11th-grade player who is age-eligible for U18

In New Jersey, under a calendar-year age group formation cycle, this most often affects players who:

• Are born between Oct 2^nd to Dec 31^st
• Started school later than initially eligible (often referred to as “red-shirting”), or
• Repeated a grade

Why is this a challenge under the calendar-year model?

• U15 / 8th Grade: Many U15 players do not have an appropriate fall team because older U15 players are participating in high school soccer. This can limit playing opportunities and lead to players leaving the sport or only participating seasonally.
• U18 / 11th Grade: U18 players face reduced exposure in the college recruiting process, as most spring recruiting activity is focused on U17 teams, making U18 players less likely to be evaluated by college coaches.

How does the school-year age group formation cycle help?

Aligning youth soccer age groups with the school-year cycle significantly reduces the number of U15 8th-grade and U18 11th-grade players—particularly those born between Aug 1^st and Dec 31^st —who are most commonly affected by “trapped player” circumstances.

This alignment improves access to age- and grade-appropriate teams, competition opportunities, and player development pathways, supporting continued participation during key transition years.

How will age groups be determined now?

Age groups will still be based on birth date, but the cutoff window will change:

• New window: August 1 – July 31
• Previous window: January 1 – December 31

What does the change mean for my player?

Clubs will evaluate the approach that is best for players based upon the club’s specific situation.  The window for each age group affords clubs the flexibility to align players based upon individual situations.  It is best to communicate with your club on the approach being taken for your child’s specific situation.

Can players play up to stay with their current team or grade?

There are no changs to NJYS policy on which age groups can play-up (be aware that leagues sometimes may be more stringent when it comes to playing-up). Club’s will determine which players play for which teams based upon individual needs and the club’s approach.

Rule 4.3 Travel Players Playing Up

Players are permitted to “play up”. Travel Players may not play up on a higher age team other than as specified below* (effective with the 2021-2022 seasonal year). Travel Players playing up does not impact the number of travel team roster spots referenced in section 3.3.

• 6U Team – 5U not permitted on a 6U team
• 7U Team – 6U Player(s) permitted on a 7U team
• 8U Team – 7U Player(s) permitted on an 8U team
• 9U Team – 8U Player(s) permitted on a 9U team
• 10U Team – 9U Player(s) permitted on a 10U team
• 11U Team – 9U & 10U Player(s) permitted on a 11U team
• 12U Team – 10U & 11U Player(s) permitted on a 12U team
• 13U Team – 11U & 12U Player(s) permitted on a 13U team
• 14U Team – 12U and up Player(s) are permitted on a 14U team
• 15U Team – 12U and up Player(s) are permitted on a 15U team
• 16U Team – 12U and up Player(s) are permitted on a 16U team
• 17U Team – 12U and up Player(s) are permitted on a 17U team
• 18U Team – 12U and up Player(s) are permitted on a 18U team
• 19U Team – 12U and up Player(s) are permitted on a 19U team

*Be advised that a Competition Authority or Member Club may be more restrictive with local policies for “playing up” that are not covered by NJYSA.

Note:

• Players born August 1 – December 31 will remain in the same age group for the 2026/27 season (i.e., they will repeat their current age group).
• Players born January 1 – July 31 will generally move up to the next age group.
• Teams will now include players from two calendar birth years.

Example: A U12 team may include players born August 1, 2014 – July 31, 2015, plus players approved by the club to play-up.

Can players play down to play with their grade?

No, players are NOT permitted to play down on a younger team, as age groups are based on birth date.   

Is there an exception process to allow players to play down with their grade?

No, there is no exception to allow players to play down on Travel teams.

Is registration now based on school grade?

No. While the cutoff aligns more closely with the school year, birth date—not grade—remains the determining factor for age group placement.

Who should I contact with questions?

Parents should contact club leadership or technical staff first. Additional guidance may be provided by NJ Youth Soccer by contacting registration@njyouthsoccer.com.

Team Assignment Process

Once players and coaches are registered, a club administrator can assign them to a team.  Prior to team assignment, the team needs to be created in the new seasonal year through either of the two methods:

 (1) Migrate Existing Teams From a Previous Year*
 (2) Create New Teams

*Team migration does not migrate players and coaches with the team. Only the team name and code will be migrated to the next age group. 

For instructions on rostering players/admins through the state platform, click here.

Once all players and coaches are assigned, you may proceed to the team activation step. All players and coaches must be compliant (e.g, verified) prior to activation. For requests related to verification, please contact your assigned district commissioner. 

For team activation, pass printing, and roster printing instructions, click here. 

*Once teams are ‘activated the ONLY way to move a player off the roster is through transfer or release. When forming teams, please take careful note of the Member Policies (e.g. Roster Sizes, Transfer Windows and Limits, Minimum Number of Players, Playing Up Age Limits)

Player Transfers & Releases

A travel player may hold one NJYS (or USYS) Member Pass at any given time. Once a travel player is rostered to an active team, the player is bound to that team for the entire seasonal year (September 1st – August 31st). To change teams, including within the same club, for a player that is on an active team, there must be a transfer submitted by a parent/guardian. Please see the resources related to transfers below:

• Player Transfer Instructions
• Requesting a Player Transfer
• Approving a Player Transfer

A player that is leaving a club without knowing the transfer destination or is leaving the NJYS environment altogether, shall submit a release to be removed from the roster. To submit a release, see the directions below:

• Player Release [Quit/Removal] Instructions

At a Glance: The Transfer Process

There are two types of transfers:

• Inter-Club Transfer: A player is simultaneously moving from a team in a club to one team in different club.
• Intra-Club Transfer: A player is simultaneously moving from one team to a different team within the same club.

The NJYS Transfer Policies are designed to emphasize and support the commitment that a player makes to a club, and that of the club to a player. To facilitate transparency, a parent/guardian and a player 18 years or older are the only individuals who can request movement for the player; regardless of team movement between clubs or within the same club. A club representative cannot request movement of a player once the player is rostered to an active team.

To be eligible for a transfer, a team must (1) be in an ‘active’ status with the NJYS software, (2) have roster space available, and (3) in the case of an inter-club transfer, have not exceed the maximum number of transfers for the seasonal year. A player can request movement to a team in a new club at any time during the seasonal year. Transfers can be approved at any time during the seasonal year if there is mutual agreement by both clubs to do so. If there is not mutual agreement to approve a transfer, approvals can be made under the following conditions:

• Prior to December 15th: Unanswered transfer request or contested requests that do not involve balance disputes may be approved by the NJYS State Office after December 15th, so long as the club has been provided 30 days to accept or contest such request. This is not automatic, and a request must be made to registration@njyouthsoccer.com after the 30 day period.
• December 15th – February 15th: Unanswered transfer or contested requests that do not involve balance disputes requests may be approved by the State Office if the club has been provided 30 days to accept or contest the request. This is not automatic, and a request must be made to registration@njyouthsoccer.com after the 30 day period.
• After February 15th: Unanswered transfer requests or contested requests that do not involve balance disputes may be approved by the NJYS State Office after June 1st, so long as the club has been provided 30 days to accept or contest such request. This is not automatic, and a request must be made to registration@njyouthsoccer.com after the 30 day period.

At any time during the seasonal year, contested transfers regarding balances or club property obligations must be resolved with the member club directly. Member Clubs and parents/guardians of the player are encouraged to communicate directly with one another to resolve balances prior to transfer approvals.

Secondary Status Players

Beginning with the 2025–2026 seasonal year, NJ Youth Soccer will provide a centralized Secondary Status registration process for travel players. This update aims to streamline the application process for Secondary Status registrations across all NJYSA Member Clubs and Competitions.

• Secondary Statuses will originate within the NJYS registration system.
• Secondary Status players will appear on the Official Roster.
• A Secondary Status “pass” can be generated through the NJYS software
• Primary Clubs will receive a notification email upon a primary player’s rostering to a team as a secondary status player for transparency and awareness.

How to: Roster a Secondary Status Player

NJYS has prepared the following resources for club administrators. The secondary status registration window is open now.

• Video: How to Roster a Secondary Status Player
• Written Guide: How to Roster a Secondary Player Written Guide

Note: Secondary Status Players are added to the secondary team through the outlined process after the player is registered with the primary club and assigned to a team. Secondary players are not registered in the same manner as a primary player.

Secondary Status Eligibility

A secondary status is available to players that, among other things:

• The player must be of U9 age or older (based on the player’s age, not the team’s age),*
• The player must be registered with a Primary Club,
• The player must be assigned to a team within the Primary Club,
• The player must meet the team activation rules (e.g., verified age, photo, etc.),
• The player must not be assigned as a secondary player on another team,
• The secondary team must be of the U9 age group or older, and 
• The secondary team must have roster space available.

*After receiving a secondary pass from the NJYS system, teams must also be aware of the following league requirements (if any):

• Additional restrictions on secondary player age within a league/competition (e.g., MCYSA players must be of 11U age),
• The maximum number of secondary status players permitted on a league/competition roster,
• Fees imposed by the league prior to a secondary status player’s participation,
• Ability to participate in the same league with both a primary & secondary status, and/or
• Additional rules imposed by the league/competition regarding secondary permission players.

Changing a Secondary Status Designation

• Incorrect Primary/Secondary Designations: NJYS recognizes that this new process may see a player’s designation incorrectly designated. A Secondary Change Request from can be submitted for review by NJYS including the details and circumstances of the incorrect designations.
• “Swapping” Primary/Secondary: Players seeking to “swap” their primary and secondary designations must do so through the transfer process, after the player is removed from the secondary team by NJYS. A Secondary Change Request can be submitted to begin the process.
• Changing Secondary Teams: Players seeking to change their secondary designation, while leaving the primary designation unchanged, are subject to the approval of a Secondary Change Request to the NJYS Office.
• Changing Primary Teams: Players seeking to change their primary team designation, while leaving the secondary designation unchanged, are subject to the transfer process between the primary clubs/teams. The player must continue to uphold the obligation(s) of all clubs while the transfer is processed or is otherwise subject to revocation of the secondary status by NJYS while the transfer is resolved.  

Additional Information for Member Clubs:

• NJYS recommends that Member Clubs document player responsibilities, obligations, and seasonal-year commitments during the registration process, and require formal acknowledge and agreement prior to registration.
• Schedule conflicts will default to the player’s Primary Status unless the Primary Club grants an exception.
• Member Clubs and Competition Authorities are responsible for communicating their own rules to impacted players.
• Misuse of the Secondary Status process (e.g., avoiding a transfer request) may result in disciplinary action per NJYS Policy.
• A primary club may contact NJYS in the event a primary player, with a secondary status to another club, fails to uphold the obligations agreed to as a result of participation with the secondary status.

Make a Payment

Member clubs will receive an automated monthly invoice for players and coaches registered in the previous period. The invoice is sent on the 1st of each month to the primary contact and club treasurer listed in Sports Connect. 

To make a payment, NJ Youth Soccer recommends electronic payments through the Sports Connect platform. For organizations that traditionally pay by check, it is recommended to pay by e-check for amounts greater than $150. 

Click here for a “Make a Payment to NJYS” video. Written instructions are below:

1. Login to https://njysa.sportsaffinity.com
2. Click SETUP in the navigation bar and then CONFIG
3. In the Tabs area you will see an Invoice section
4. In the Invoice section, you will see several options:
5. Click on the Invoice Date under View to see your latest invoice
6. Click on the CSV option if you wish to export this data to Excel or CSV
7. Click on the Order# to complete payment for the amount due

Making Changes

Billing updates occur on the 1st of each month. Any changes made in the registration platform (e.g., newly registered players, transfers, or cancellation credits) are issued on the 1st of the following month.

• For assistance cancelling an application of a player that registered, but did not participate, click here.
• For assistance cancelling an application of a coach that registered, but did not participate, click here.

For questions regarding your invoice, please contact the NJYS Manager of Finance, Samantha LaManna (sam@njyouthsoccer.com).

Support & Troubleshooting

For account access assistance, forgotten passwords, “how-to” assistance, and technical troubleshooting, please contact:

• Sports Connect State Platform Support (Club Admins/Parents) | (855) 873-5357 | Monday-Friday, 11AM-8PM EST | Help Center | Submit a Ticket

For coach registration account assistance (e.g., forgotten username/passwords), please contact:

• Sports Connect Club Platform Support (Coach Registration) | (866) 258-3303 | Submit a Ticket

For policy, process, and payment inquiries please contact:

• New Jersey Youth Soccer | registration@njyouthsoccer.com

To learn more about the benefits of using the Sports Connect Club Product to manage your club registrations and payments, click here.