Panels are U6, U8, U10, U12, U16 and U18 and for New York Minor Board competition panels are coed up to U14. Players that turn panel age within the calendar year are perfectly eligible to play in that age group. However, if their age exceeds the age group in a calendar year, they must play in the next panel up. For example, if a child turns nine years of age before January 1, they can no longer play in U8 and must move up to U10. Players in younger panels may play up by coach invitation and according to skill, and this is common practice. In New York Minor Board league play girls may play down one age group provided that their age exceeds that panel by one year. This is not the case in under Continental Youth Championship rules.
