Age categories added for youth provincial championships in 2017

(June 20, 2016) With Canada Soccer announcing their new format for national club championships which includes only two age categories for 2017, Alberta Soccer has engaged in dialogue with our District Members regarding the best course of action for our members over the past six months.

For 2016-17, Alberta Soccer will add two additional age categories for both indoor and outdoor provincial championships: U15 Tier I and U17 Tier I. All other age categories and tiers will remain the same as in previous years. Therefore, the competition structure will be as follows:

Indoor

• U12 Tier I – IV
• U14 Tier I – IV
• U15 Tier I
• U16 Tier I – IV
• U17 Tier I
• U18 Tier I – IV

Outdoor

• U12 Tier I – III
• U14 Tier I – III
• U15 Tier I
• U16 Tier I – III
• U17 Tier I
• U18 Tier I – III
• Cities (Tier IV)
U12, U14, U16 & U18
• Rural (Tier IV)
U12, U14, U16 & U18

*Note: Senior provincial championships structure remains unchanged

“Alberta Soccer has been conducting a review and analysis of our Provincial Championships since late 2015, consulting and collaborating with all District Members on this topic,” said Alberta Soccer Executive Director, Richard Adams. “In light of Canada Soccer’s decision, it was necessary to add the U15 and U17 Tier I competitions, however, we feel that there is the need for further review of all of our age categories going forward in order to provide the best playing experience for our members while also aligning to the long term player development pathway.”

A future announcement will be made in 2017 regarding any further changes to the provincial competition structure.

Alberta Soccer hosts the most provincial competitions of any province in Canada. Last year, almost 11,000 players and coaches participated in the youth provincial championships. The provincial championships provide healthy competition for the best teams from across Alberta while fostering the development of players, coaches and referees.