Competition

As of the 2017/2018 season, the KNVB will be running a so-called year-of-birth competition for the Under-8 through Under-12 age-groups. This year-of-birth competition will ensure that the playing strength of every team can be determined and that games and competitions between evenly-matched teams can be organised. Clubs of course retain the right to register teams comprising of players of varying years-of-birth. For both the even and the uneven competitions, clubs will be able to register for a minimum of four playing levels. Hoofdklasse (001 and so on) - 1st class (101 and so on) - 2nd class (201 and so on) - 3rd class (301 and so on). By ensuring uniformity in the competitions we run, it could happen that clubs in the border regions of some districts may actually turn out for a neighbouring district.

Throughout the Netherlands, the same uniform football package will be on offer, resulting in greater uniformity in the playing calendar. That means three Cup matches before the Competition kicks off, and thereafter a series towards the end of the year and into the new year. Each series is good for 11 games and teams play against each other once only. 

As of the Under-8s, teams can be registered for the Cup. The pools will be classified at their own level, so that the final scores can be taken into account should a reclassification be required. 

Teams can vary enormously in terms of age composition. Should a team consist of players of two successive years-of-birth, the team will be classified according to the oldest player. So if there are 10 Under-11 players and four Under-12, the team will be classified as Under-12. 

It is important that clubs make the right call as to the level at which their teams will compete. By classifying the Cup pool according to age and level, we get an early heads-up as to the playing strength of the teams. The final scores in the Cup can be taken into account when assessing a reclassification request. Teams classified in the same pool in the Competition can also play against each other in the Cup. 

Clubs can register teams as they so desire but should distribute their teams proportionally over the various levels. Clubs also have to take generations into account. One generation of youthful footballers can be more talented than 

another generation and therefore be classified in a level too high or too low. This is the reason why the KNVB maintains the policy of 'you begin where you ended up'. That team is no longer reliant on the results of the generation that preceded it. This needs to be extrapolated at a divisional level during the transition from Under-12 to Under-13. This will be implemented within the districts as of the season ahead.

Dispensation can be requested for both the even and the uneven competitions (U-8s through U-12s). One dispensation per team will be permitted in the 6v6 and two dispensations for the 8v8 game formats. This dispensation will not be linked to any specific person. Dispensation may not be requested for the Highest class and the 1st class. Two dispensations per team can also be granted in the current 7v7 game format. Three dispensations per team can be granted in the 11v11 game format.

Girls playing for a boys' team may be one year older than the age group in which the boys play. For example, girls who belong to the Under-12 age-group may also play in a team in which the oldest boys are Under-11.