About Northern Utah Development League

U8 & U9 NUU Academy teams, along with non-NUU teams, compete in the Northern Utah Development League as a developmental stepping stone to competitive soccer. To keep the focus on learning and growth, there are no scores or standings until U10.

There are no additional team fees, as club dues cover participation for younger teams. The only additional costs would be if your player decides to participate in additional training, tournaments or leagues.

Our goal is to establish NUU teams across the following areas. 

Preston: Preston, Idaho
Upper North: Richmond/Lewiston
North: Smithfield/Hyde Park
North Central: North Logan
Central: Logan
South Central: Providence/Nibley/Millville
Southeast: Hyrum/Paradise
Southwest: Wellsville/Mendon
Benson: Benson
Brigham City: Brigham City/Perry
Tremonton: Tremonton/Garland/Riverside

If you know of a coach or group interested in starting a team in your area please contact our Development Academy Director, Nicole Hale at nuu.nicolehale@gmail.com

LOCAL NUU TEAMS:
These are established teams made up of players who want to continue playing competitive soccer locally. When these teams are formed, coaches may request additional team fees. Details on these fees can be found in the Teams section of the website.

U8 & U9 we do not keep scores and standings.

U10 and older we keep scores and standings.

The Northern Utah Development League is not a closed league. However, due to established league standards and expectations, teams from outside of NUU will be expected to follow league policies, game-day procedures, and sideline expectations.

There is no intention to exclude any teams from participating. However, to ensure league operators, participating teams, and clubs are aligned on expectations prior to registration, the registration process will include a code of conduct form that clearly outlines the expectations for all participants.

PLAYER FEES
$185 per player: This fee covers all league-related expenses, including field fees, referee fees, administrative costs, and other operational expenses.
View Fee Breakdown & Summary

Note: Your coach or club may add additional expenses, but this fee represents the total league cost for a full year of soccer, including both the Fall and Spring seasons.

NUU Players and NON-NUU TEAMS are committing to Spring & Fall Leagues and will be given the option to participate in the Winter.

Pre-Season & Fall Season
August 17-October 20
Minimum of 8 games

Spring Season
March 15-May 15th
Minimum of 8 games

All NUU Development Academy players (U8 & U9) and NUU Competitive teams (U10-U14) will be offered the opportunity to commit to participating in:

Winter Season (optional)
November-March
Minimum of 10 games

Tournaments (optional)
Cache Valley Cup July 8-11
Additional Summer & Winter Tournemants TBD

Game Formats by Flight

• Flight 4 (5v5): Beginner players (ages 6–8)
• Flight 3 (5v5): Experienced players (ages 6–9)
• Flight 2 (7v7): Beginner players (ages 10–11) and top 9-year-olds
• Flight 1 (7v7): Experienced players (ages 9–11)

  Note: The maximum game-day roster size is seven players for 5v5 and ten players for 7v7.
  
  Our age ranges are purposely larger than traditional models because not all players grow and develop at the same pace. We place players based on physical maturity while also considering skill level to support both player safety and soccer development.

  Our approach is influenced by methods used in other countries and professional professional youth acadamies and built around two key principles:

  Bio-Banding – grouping players by physical and developmental stage rather than strictly by birth year.

  Individual Vertical Integration – ensuring players are appropriately challenged across levels within the club based on readiness and development.

  We believe a birthdate alone is a poor way to place players when they are learning to love the game.

  There is simply too much discrimation agianst late developers.

  The Green Bananas Anallogy in Belgium.

Once teams have registered, we will finalize a predictable schedule structure. For example, each flight may consistently play on the same weeknight or within the same Saturday time frame each week.

The dates, times, and locations listed below are not finalized, but represent our anticipated schedule structure.

Season Structure

• 11-week season
• 8-game schedule
• Season Dates: August 10 – October 25

5v5 Games

• U8 Girls — Wednesdays @ 5:30 P.M.
• U8 Boys — Wednesdays @ 6:30 P.M.
• U9 Girls — Thursdays @ 5:30 P.M.
• U9 Boys — Thursdays @ 6:30 P.M.

7v7 Games

• U10 Girls — Wednesdays @ 5:30 P.M.
• U10 Boys — Wednesdays @ 6:30 P.M.
• U11 Girls — Thursdays @ 5:30 P.M.
• U11 Boys — Thursdays @ 6:30 P.M.
• U12 Girls — Saturdays @ 8:30 A.M.
• U12 Boys — Saturdays @ 9:30 A.M.
• U13 Girls — Saturdays @ 10:30 A.M.
• U13 Boys — Saturdays @ 11:30 A.M.
• U14 Girls — Saturdays @ 12:30 P.M.
• U14 Boys — Saturdays @ 1:30 P.M.

Anticipated 5v5 Field Locations

• Legacy Park — Hyde Park
• Blackhawk — Logan
• Meadow Park — Tremonton

Anticipated 7v7 Field Locations

• Greenville Elementary — North Logan
• Blackhawk — Logan
• Meadow Park — Tremonton

In addition to opening up fields for training, reducing the number of field locations helps create a more consistent schedule for parents and coaches, simplifies referee scheduling, and reduces the amount of goals, nets, paint, and other field maintenance resources required throughout the season.

5v5 Rules (U8 & U9)
7v7 Rules (U10 and older)

The NUU Development League is built on a commitment to higher standards that prioritize long-term player growth, a positive environment, and modern development principles.

A Positive Learning Environment

We foster an environment where players feel supported, challenged, and encouraged. Respect, effort, and growth mindset are at the core of every training session and game day.

Player Development First Approach

Our focus is on developing complete players—not just winning games. Training and competition are designed to build technical ability, decision-making, confidence, and creativity.

Modern Development Principles

We integrate leading development concepts into our curriculum, including:

• Bio-Banding – grouping players by physical and developmental stage rather than just age
• Individual Vertical Integration – ensuring players are challenged appropriately across levels within the club
• Ecological Dynamics Approach – developing players through realistic, game-like environments that encourage problem solving and adaptability
  LEARN MORE

Age & Ability Appropriate Competition

Rules and environments are designed to match both age and ability, ensuring players are consistently challenged without being overwhelmed.

Balanced Game Day Experience

We prioritize meaningful playing time for every individual through:

• Maximum game-day minutes per player thoughtful roster sizing to ensure participation and engagement
  • U8 and U9 teams play 5v5 in a no-scores, no-standings league where players can move fluidly from team to team within their club. The maximum game-day roster size is seven players.

  • U10 and older teams play 7v7 on set teams, where player passes may be used to challenge players who need either a stronger or less demanding environment. The maximum game-day roster size is ten players. 

Fluid Player Movement & Challenge Opportunities

Players are not confined to fixed teams. Fluid rosters allow athletes to:

• Compete across multiple levels or “flights”
• Be challenged appropriately based on development needs
• Experience different competitive environments within the league guidelines and rules

Standards in Sideline Behavior

We promote a culture of respect and professionalism on and off the field. Coaches, parents, and players are expected to uphold positive sideline behavior that supports learning, enjoyment, and player development. Constant yellling and telling will not be allowed. Kids deserve a calm environment during this phase of their development.

Coaching Standards: Why We Don’t Yell

In our youth soccer environment, one of our core coaching standards is simple: we do not yell at players. 

This isn’t about being soft on expectations. In fact, our coaches are very clear about standards, effort, and accountability. The difference is how we communicate those expectations.

Many people assume yelling motivates kids—but in youth development, it usually does the opposite. When players are yelled at, they often shift into a fear-based response: they become tense, less confident, and more focused on avoiding mistakes than learning from them. Over time, this can reduce creativity, decision-making, and enjoyment of the game.

Instead, we believe in clear, calm, and purposeful coaching. Players respond far better when they understand what happened, why it matters, and what to do next. For example, rather than yelling about a missed defensive recovery, coaches take the opportunity during a natural pause in play—or when the player is off the field—to calmly explain the consequence in the moment and teach the correct decision for next time. This approach builds understanding, not fear.

We also hold players accountable, but in a structured way. Expectations are communicated clearly, and consequences are consistent and fair (such as adjusted playing time when appropriate). Accountability does not require raising your voice—it requires consistency.

Our coaching approach is built on proven principles:

• Clear communication over emotion
• Teaching consequences instead of reacting with anger
• Positive reinforcement to build confidence and motivation
• Strong personal connections with players
• Understanding age-appropriate development
• Guided Discovery
• The use of “key words”

We also believe coaching behavior sets the standard. Players learn how to respond to adversity by watching how adults handle it. Calm leadership during mistakes and pressure situations teaches emotional control, resilience, and problem-solving—skills that matter far beyond soccer.

Importantly, positive reinforcement is one of the most effective tools in youth development. Recognizing effort, good decisions, and improvement—even when outcomes aren’t perfect—creates more long-term growth than criticism or shouting ever could.

This approach is widely used at the highest levels of the game. Top coaches consistently demonstrate that success does not require yelling—it requires clarity, consistency, and trust.

Finally, our focus is simple: we want players to learn, compete, and enjoy the game in a positive environment where they are challenged, respected, and supported.

For that reason, our standard is clear:
Coaches in our league and program do not yell at players.