WSA AGE GROUP HYBRID PLAYER MODEL
revised 1/2/2026, expect further updates to this policy

WHO: U15 and younger players 

WHAT: Opportunity for players to elect to play for a team in the Fall 2026 season with the option to request a transfer during the Dec 15, 2026 - Jan 15, 2027 window. 

POLICY:  The player's parent will elect the club's "Hybrid Model" during registration.  This indicates the player will participate on the athlete's registered team as the "primary team".  Throughout the Fall season the player may train and/or play with the team one age up and/or one age down.  

PURPOSE:  WSA recognizes it is unfair for parents to forecast their own child's developmental curve.  Nor does WSA claim to "foreknow" this at a level of detail that is necessary to foreknow the best possible pathway for 2026-2027 seasonal year for an athlete in the midst of so many unknowns regarding the age group change. 

This "hybrid model" calls out the option of the athlete to be in a "hybrid" space for 2026-27.  The purpose of calling this out is to help guide coach's roster construction and roster management.  The coach knowing which players are in a hybrid phase will help the coach guide the athlete and the team with greater care and understanding.

EXPLORATORY PHASE:  The "hybrid model" essentially allows athletes to exist in a one-season, abbreviated exploratory phase. 

SELF ELECT IN:  Players will be able to choose to self-elect into this hybrid exploratory phase during registration. 

CONDITIONS:  If teams have more than 20% of the team roster in a hybrid phase, conditions will be placed on the team to protect and insulate the team from large roster turnover between the Fall & Spring season (details will be provided for teams in this situation).