Spring 2026 Tournament Schedule (CLICK HERE)

As we currently update the schedule page, please refer to the spreadsheet for the current tournament schedule.  The schedule webpage will be up to date soon.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GulfSouth Academy with Coach JJ Opens Registration for Spring 2026

Santa Rosa Beach & Freeport, FL — GulfSouth Academy is excited to announce that registration is now open for its Spring 2026 Academy program, led by Coach JJ.

Designed specifically for boys and girls ages 5–8, the GulfSouth Academy provides a fun, structured, and development-focused introduction to soccer that builds confidence, coordination, and a lifelong love of the game.

The Spring Academy will run from late February through the first week of May, with sessions offered at two convenient locations:

  • Santa Rosa Beach: Begins February 26

  • Freeport: Begins February 27

What the GulfSouth Academy Includes

Participants in the Academy program will receive:

  • Professionally guided training led by Coach JJ

  • Age-appropriate curriculum emphasizing ball mastery, movement, and basic game understanding

  • A positive, encouraging learning environment focused on development over results

  • Small-sided activities that maximize touches and engagement

  • A clear pathway into future GulfSouth recreational and competitive programs

The Academy is ideal for both new players and young athletes looking to strengthen their foundational skills in a low-pressure, high-fun setting.

Registration Information

Spots are limited and expected to fill quickly. Families can register online at the links below:

For additional information about GulfSouth Academy and its youth development programs, families are encouraged to visit the club’s website or follow GulfSouth Soccer on social media.

GulfSouth Soccer Club is committed to providing the best possible development environment for our players, and we want to keep you informed about a significant change coming to youth soccer age group registration starting with the upcoming 2026-2027 season.

After extensive feedback from clubs, coaches, parents, and players across the country, US Youth Soccer (USYS), US Club Soccer, AYSO, and MLS NEXT (Academy Division) have decided to shift from the current calendar birth year system (January 1 – December 31) back to a seasonal/school-year system (August 1 – July 31). This change aims to better align soccer teams with school grade levels, allowing more players to compete alongside their classmates and reducing the challenges faced by “trapped players” (those whose birthdays cause them to be separated from grade-level peers at key transition points like 8th grade or high school senior year). In order to be eligible to participate in US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer leagues and competitions, GulfSouth RUSH Soccer must be compliant with this change.

The 2025-2026 season will remain under the current birth year rules, giving everyone until this fall to prepare. Starting in fall 2026, the new August 1 – July 31 cutoff will apply to most competitive teams across the United States.

How This Affects GulfSouth Soccer Club Travel Teams

GulfSouth competes in a variety of tournaments across the Sun Belt, and listed below is a breakdown of how the age group change will impact leagues and age groups for the 2026-2027 season and beyond:

What This Means for Your Player

  • Players born August 1 – December 31 will generally “move down” an age group.
  • Players born January 1 – July 31 will generally “move up” an age group.
  • Teams will now span two calendar birth years (e.g., a U12 team might include players born August 1, 2014 – July 31, 2015, plus any approved play-up/play-down exceptions).

Age Group Chart 2026/2027 Season

Age Group Birth Date Range (2026-27 Season)
U19 Aug 1, 2007 – Jul 31, 2009
U17 Aug 1, 2009 – Jul 31, 2010
U16 Aug 1, 2010 – Jul 31, 2011
U15 Aug 1, 2011 – Jul 31, 2012
U14 Aug 1, 2012 – Jul 31, 2013
U13 Aug 1, 2013 – Jul 31, 2014
U12 Aug 1, 2014 – Jul 31, 2015
U11 Aug 1, 2015 – Jul 31, 2016
U10 Aug 1, 2016 – Jul 31, 2017
U9 Aug 1, 2017 – Jul 31, 2018
U8 Aug 1, 2018 – Jul 31, 2019
U7 Aug 1, 2019 – Jul 31, 2020

 

1. Why is this change happening?

U.S. Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, and AYSO agreed to this change based on extensive research and feedback. 

MLS NEXT announcement.

2. When exactly does this change take effect?

The new August 1 – July 31 system starts with the 2026-2027 seasonal year (fall 2026 tryouts and registration). The entire 2025-2026 season remains under the current birth year rules.

3. Will my child have to repeat or skip an age group?

Most players will simply shift into the new grouping without repeating or skipping a full year of soccer. For example, a player born in September who is currently on a “younger” birth year team will likely join classmates they already know from school.

4. Can my child play up an age group?

No. We prefer players continue to play in the appropriate age group.

5. Will this affect high school soccer eligibility?

No. High school eligibility is determined by Florida’s athletic association and school grade/age rules, not club soccer age groups.

6. How will tryouts and team selection work in spring 2026?

Tryouts in 2026 will form teams for the 2026-2027 season under the new age groups. We will communicate exact dates and processes early in the year.

7. My child has a late birthday and has struggled with being the youngest – will this help?

Yes! The school-year alignment is designed to reduce the “relative age effect” and “trapped player” issues that have impacted many families under the birth year system.

8. If we move to a new team and there are duplicate jersey numbers, will I have to purchase a new jersey?

Duplicate jersey number conflicts may happen as players transition to new age groups.  We realize this may have a financial impact on families.

We are currently developing policies to address these issues and will communicate the guidelines once they are approved.

9. “But these kids have played together for years. This policy by the governing bodies of Youth Soccer doesn’t take into account my individual desire for our kids to play together!”

We hear you, and you’re not wrong to be worried. When kids have played together for years, those friendships and that chemistry matter a lot, and nobody at the club wants to break that up. That said, this age-group change isn’t a club preference or something we can opt out of. US Club Soccer, USYS, and AYSO have all moved to the new age guidelines for the 2026–27 season, and MLS NEXT is aligning its age groups as well. To register teams properly and keep players eligible, we have to follow the governing body’s age matrix.

What we can do is work with you to protect what matters most:

  • We’ll prioritize keeping friend groups together when it’s allowed and appropriate.

  • We’ll look at team placement options that maintain continuity and development.

  • We can explore shared training opportunities, combined sessions, or guest play (where permitted) so the kids still feel connected.

 

GulfSouth RUSH Soccer Club is already planning tryout processes and team placements for 2026-2027. We will share detailed player-specific information in early 2026 so families can see exactly where their child will be placed.

We are excited about this return to a system that prioritizes player development, friendships, and long-term enjoyment of the game. GulfSouth RUSH directors and coaches are here to answer any questions – please reach out:

DOC.Operations@gulfsouthsoccer.com
DOC.Development@gulfsouthsoccer.com
President@gulfsouthsoccer.com
Community@gulfsouthsoccer.com

Thank you for being part of the GulfSouth family!

Did you miss the fall season? Have you recently moved to the area? Are you looking for a new club or ready to move up from rec soccer?

Registration is now open for our Spring Supplemental Tryouts for birthyears 2017-2007.

From 2-6 February, we will hold evaluations for all non-club members who would like to join the best youth soccer club in the area.

Register here: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/482597

We are excited to announce a Spring sponsor banner special!!  For a $500 donation to the club, we will print and present at Walton Sports Complex (i.e., Dune Lakes) a sponsor banner with your company’s logo for the Spring season (and potentially longer).

All donations are tax-deductible as the club is a 501(c)(3).

As some of the membership may be aware, Walton County Parks and Recreation has, at times, threatened to move the recreational soccer program to the Walton Sports Complex.  The most recent threat was for this Spring season, which thankfully never came to fruition.  However, such uncertainty made it difficult for the club to plan and solicit new banner sponsors.  In any case, we now have clarity for this Spring season.

Please note that this sponsorship opportunity is not limited to GulfSouth families.  We welcome you to share this opportunity with employers, colleagues, or other businesses who may be interested in supporting the club.  Shared banners may be available for two businesses wishing to split a banner; details available upon request.  In addition to on-site banner placement, banner sponsors will also be recognized on GulfSouth’s social media platforms, acknowledging and thanking all banner sponsors.

Banner space is limited and will be allocated as commitments are received.  In order to have the sponsor banners in place by the Spring season, we will need commitments and company logos by January 16th, 2026.

How to Participate

To participate, please email your company logo and sponsorship inquiry to President@gulfsouthsoccer.com and sponsorships@gulfsouthsoccer.com.  Company logos may include a website, phone number or other contact information beneath the logo, subject to space and banner design/size restrictions.  Please note that company logos need to be in “vector format.”

With respect to process and payment, we will work with our printer (Copy Systems Business Center, Santa Rosa Beach) to have a printer proof created and emailed back to you or the respective business for approval.  Upon printer proof approval, we will expect prompt payment.  Payment may be made by check made out to GulfSouth Soccer Club.  Checks may be mailed or hand-delivered; additional details will be provided upon confirmation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GulfSouth Soccer Club Confirms Walton Sports Complex as Home Field for Spring 2026

GulfSouth Soccer Club is pleased to inform our parents, players, coaches, and members that the club will remain at Walton Sports Complex for the 2026 Spring Season.

There will be no change to our home fields for the upcoming spring season. All training sessions, home matches, and club activities will continue to take place at Walton Sports Complex as planned.

We appreciate the continued support of our families and the broader community, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back for another exciting spring of player development, competition, and community connection.

Thank you for being part of GulfSouth Soccer Club. We can’t wait to see you on the fields this spring.

GulfSouth Soccer Club