My solution to the U18 division problem is to run a U17 division and a half season for U18 from Mar to July. That way the U18 players get their national year and clubs can stop worrying about losing players at those levels. If a U17 player is exceptional, U18 teams can call them up and if they are that good, they'll sign them to the roster.
The drop out at this age is more than most age groups (concentration on other matters, getting jobs, school etc...) but by cutting the teams from 10 to 6 or, this year, 9 to 6, really will allow the numbers to not be effective. There are teams in the U18B that are predominately made up of U17 players.
The drop out at this age is more than most age groups (concentration on other matters, getting jobs, school etc...) but by cutting the teams from 10 to 6 or, this year, 9 to 6, really will allow the numbers to not be effective. There are teams in the U18B that are predominately made up of U17 players.