This was a specific topic during last night's coaches teleconference with Scott Evans. During last night's teleconference, Scott Evans mentioned that the upper limit is a "hard limit" and that the lower age is a "soft limit". Scott also mentioned that there have been 8 year olds and some 7 year olds in the past. In my opinion, I think the enforcement of the lower age limit is determined by the region and tournament. References: The official rule, #2, (http://firstlegoleague.org/sites/default/files/Challenge/FoodFactor/FLL2011_Robot_Game.pdf) says to refer to the Coaches' Handbook (http://firstlegoleague.org/sites/default/files/Challenge/TeamResources/FoodFactor/CHB%202011%20Ch%202%20web%20res.pdf): 2 - PARTICIPATION * The maximum allowable team size is ten members, not including coaches and mentors. * See the FIRST LEGO League Coaches' Handbook for allowable ages. Depending on your location, the rules are different. For international teams, the age limit is 9-16 and for US teams, the age limit is 9-14. The Children Your FLL team will have up to ten children, ages 9 to 14. To be eligible, a child cannot be older than 14 on January 1 of the year the Challenge is announced. For example, a student who turns 15 in May of 2011 would be eligible to compete in the 2011 season, whereas a child who turned 15 in December 2010 would not. Children can be members of only one FLL team per season. Best of Luck! Bill -----Original Message----- From: First Lego League in Virginia and DC [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Stuart & Lori Roll Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2011 12:33 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: EXT :Re: [VADCFLL-L] Competition Age Restrictions/Requirements Interesting question - and one I hadn't seen before. Steve, I think your interpretation on minimum age is a pretty good one. It says you have to be 9 to participate but does not say when you had to have turned 9 in the past. I think you are leading people astray, though, regarding the "January 1 rule". This is a regional rule (only two regions in the country use split divisions, as I understand it) and it has always been explicitly stated that it applies to the *current* year. So, if anyone on your team was 12 or older on January 1, 2011 then your entire team must compete in Division 2 this year. Stuart -----Original Message----- From: VA/DC Referee Advisor Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2011 12:09 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [VADCFLL-L] Competition Age Restrictions/Requirements This isn't my area of expertise, but: FLL guidance (Coaches' Handbook): FLL is a program of exploration for 9 to 14 year olds. To be eligible, a child cannot be older than 14 on January 1 of the year the Challenge is announced. VA/DC FLL guidance (Q&A, Divisions): If all your team members are 11 or younger as of January 1, then they are a Division 1 team. If at least one team member is 12 or older as of January 1, then your team is in Division 2. [I believe that this applies to the January of the Challenge period--i.e. the January 1 of the year *after* the Challenge is announced.] So, the 9-year-olds you describe will be eligible to be on a team. Steve Scherr VA/DC FLL Referee Advisor On Tue, Sep 13, 2011 at 11:40 AM, Missi Lackas <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > I would like to verify how stringent the age requirements are. I have boys > that are close to 9 1/2 years old right now that joined the team last may > when they were 9 and a few months. Is it true that they cannot compete > this > November if they were not 9 as of January 1st 2011? > > I am not able to look this information up at the time and thought this > might > be the most productive and best informed place to start anyway. > > Thanks for any help you can offer. > -- To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave the list". -- VADCFLL administrative announcements are sent via VADCFLL-ANNOUNCEMENTS-L. Visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-ANNOUNCEMENTS-l.html to subscribe. -- To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave the list". -- VADCFLL administrative announcements are sent via VADCFLL-ANNOUNCEMENTS-L. Visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-ANNOUNCEMENTS-l.html to subscribe. -- To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave the list". -- VADCFLL administrative announcements are sent via VADCFLL-ANNOUNCEMENTS-L. Visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-ANNOUNCEMENTS-l.html to subscribe.