I just read something regarding age verification and holdbacks. Not an exact quote. No one would ever hold back a student to get an academic advantage. Actually it's the reverse, students. are pushed to be in advanced classes, higher more challenging learning, and even for those that are gifted place them up a grade. This a true advantage. However, in sports when a player is held back, it is not for their ability to be advanced and challenged but rather for an advantage based on their age and physical growth in order to achieve a goal through playing at a less challenging level. In academic terms its like a 9th grader taking 6th grade math for no other reason than the grade they are in (not because of academic difficulties). Just a thought.