Programs
Teams by Age Group
fourteen-year-old need completely different things from their coaches, their training, and their team environment.
Here’s how Utah Surf structures programs so every age group gets exactly what they need.
- Ages 4–8
Jr. Surfer Academy
This is where it all starts. The Jr. Surfer Academy is designed for kids born between 2018 and 2021, and it focuses entirely on individual technical development in a fun, supportive environment. No games, no scores, no pressure — just coaches who know how to make young kids fall in love with the ball.
Sessions run on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the summer, fall, and spring seasons, and shift to Saturdays in the winter. Everything happens at The PEAC in Pleasant Grove. Director Kiona Silvey leads the academy alongside coaches Danika and Stacy.
Jr. Surfers is designed to supplement city rec soccer, not replace it. It’s the technical piece that rec programs don’t usually provide. Registration is through the Byga app.
- Ages 8–10
U8–U10: Building the Foundation
At this age, players are ready for their first taste of organized team competition. Utah Surf’s youngest competitive teams play in the IRL (Intermountain Recreation League), where the emphasis is still heavily on development. Training happens twice a week, games are on weekends, and coaches focus on building comfort with the ball, basic positioning, and learning how to play as part of a team.
This is a great transition from Jr. Surfers or rec soccer into the club environment. The jump isn’t as big as parents sometimes fear — our coaches know how to make it smooth.
- Ages 10–12
U10–U12: Stepping Up
By U10-U12, players start to differentiate. Some are ready for SCL or even Premier-level competition. Others are still developing and do better in IRL. We form multiple teams per age group so every player is challenged at the right level.
Training ramps up to two or three sessions per week. Players start learning more complex tactical concepts — how to read the game, how to combine with teammates, how to make decisions under pressure. This is also where the possession-based playing style that defines Utah Surf really starts to take shape.
- Ages 12–14
U12–U14: The Competitive Jump
This is where things get serious for a lot of players. U12-U14 is the age range where ECNL RL placement becomes a real possibility, and where Premier-level teams start preparing for regional competition. Training is more demanding, the tactical detail goes deeper, and players begin to take ownership of their own development.
For families with college soccer ambitions, this is when the pathway conversation starts in earnest. Our coaches work with families to set realistic goals and build a plan to get there.
- Ages 14–19
U14–U19: Elite Competition & College Preparation
The oldest age groups at Utah Surf compete at the highest levels — ECNL Regional League and UYSA Premier. Training is at its most intense, with an expectation of year-round commitment. Players at this level are building college recruiting profiles, attending showcases, and refining their games for the next step.
We currently field 27 boys teams and 24 girls teams across all levels from U8 through U19, so there’s room for players of all abilities — not just the ones chasing ECNL. Plenty of high school-age players compete happily at the SCL or IRL level and get tremendous value from the experience.
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