GBYSL builds the foundation, from first kicks in Recreational soccer to competitive Select play. From there, players can move up to regional leagues and elite programs. Here’s how the journey fits together, by age.
Many players who started in GBYSL Recreational and Select now play at the highest level of competitive club soccer, and some have been identified by U.S. Soccer at the highest levels.
Many GBYSL players have gone on to play college soccer at every level, including NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, and junior college programs.
Many coaches from the GBYSL community now coach in college programs.
Several coaches from the GBYSL community serve as U.S. Soccer scouts, even coaching U.S. national teams.
Ages 3–12 (U4–U12). No tryouts, local teams, volunteer coaches. Recreational soccer →
From U9, players can join a member club or independent team that plays in the GBYSL Select league. Select league →
Select teams play at Silver or Gold through U15. We encourage top teams to move on to the NorCal Premier League. N1 is a team qualification league, where individual teams apply and must be accepted. ECNL RL is a club qualification league, with a few wildcard teams. All three are US Club Soccer affiliated leagues operated by NorCal Premier Soccer. norcalpremier.com →
Northern Nevada ODP holds open tryouts for players U11–U18. No club or team affiliation, and no permission needed from a club or coach to try out or participate. Players take part in ODP and remain on their club teams throughout the year. northernnevadaodp.org →
| Level | Who it’s for |
|---|---|
| Recreational | Beginners and kids who play for fun, friends, and exercise. Teams by zip code, volunteer parent coaches. |
| GBYSL Select | A US Club Soccer affiliated competitive league for member clubs and independent teams, U9–U15. Silver (developing) and Gold (competitive) levels in most age groups, with teams placed each season. Local games across Reno, Sparks, Carson, Truckee and Tahoe. |
| NorCal Premier League | A US Club Soccer affiliated league operated by NorCal Premier Soccer. Regional league play for U9–U18 against clubs across Northern California. |
| NorCal N1 | A US Club Soccer affiliated league operated by NorCal Premier Soccer. The higher division for the strongest club teams, U13–U18. A team qualification league: individual teams apply and must be accepted. |
| ECNL Regional League (RL) | The ECNL Regional League, U13–U18. A US Club Soccer affiliated league operated by NorCal Premier Soccer. A club qualification league: clubs must be accepted to enter their teams, plus a few wildcard teams. Teams that win the ECNL RL league can have opportunities to be promoted into ECNL. |
| Northern Nevada ODP | US Youth Soccer’s Olympic Development Program. Open tryouts for players U11–U18. No club or team affiliation, and no permission needed from a club or coach to try out or participate. Players take part in ODP and remain on their club teams throughout the year. |