THE RELATIVE AGE EFFECT IN ELITE YOUTH SOCCER ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine if relative age effects (RAE) were present among elite youth soccer players across the U.S. The objective of the first study was to determine if there was an overrepresentation of boys born early in the cohort and an underrepresentation of boys born late in the cohort. The sample included 3, 218 elite male soccer players (u15/16 = 1,724; u17/18 = 1,494) competing in the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy (USSDA) during the 2012-2013 season. When analyzed into quartiles and halves, a strong RAE was detected among the u15/16 age group indicating a bias toward the selection of older players. Maturation and competition may be the leading causes for the presence of RAEs. No RAE was found among the u17/18 age group. An overrepresentation of players born in the last quartile indicated a reverse RAE. The difference between the cut-off dates for the club and USSDA playing season, may have contributed to this RAE.

The aim of the second study was to examine the birthdate distribution among elite female soccer players for RAEs. The sample included 7,294 players (u14-u18) competing in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) during the 2012-2013 season. Statistically significant differences were observed among all age groups, indicating an overrepresentation of players born earlier in the cohort and an underrepresentation of players born later in the cohort. Competition may have been the key mechanism leading to a bias toward the selection of older players across the league. Taken together, the findings from these studies indicate a bias toward the selection of the oldest in the cohort is present among elite level soccer players in the U.S. Parents, coaches, and administrators need to implement measures to reduce or eradicate the systematic discrimination against athletes born toward the end of the selection year in sport.