The fact that parents hold their kids back and even go as far as to re-classify kids and have them repeat a grade to gain an advantage in sports (often at the urging of their club team) is ridiculous. The time when all reputable tournaments will go to an age-based system is not that far off. US Lacrosse has been trying to move the sport in the right direction, but USL has no power. The change will come after the NCAA changes their recruiting rules as there won't be an advantage to having a 15 or 16 yr old 8th grader anymore. My son is the youngest on his 7th grade team at 12 with a spring birthday. He regularly competes with kids that are 14 and in 7th grade. He holds his own with the older players that have all shot up in size with the onset of puberty and he is one of the leading scorers in the league. When he hits 13 or 14 and hits his growth spurt he will continue to pass these older players by. Several college coaches have told me they want the kid that is just turning 18 before they walk as a senior in HS, not the 20 yr old that has already peaked and maxed out.
WSYL has the best interest of the players in mind with their age rules that match US Lacrosse Guidelines. Eventually, the club teams will come around and do the right thing.