Which way would you go?

My DS plays travel soccer. He was lucky to be able to get on a team over the winter and is playing the spring season- it's normally a fall-spring team, but they created this team over the winter since there was a lot of interest. In order to get him playing, he went up a grade. He's 8 and is playing on a U9 team. They have tryouts next week. My debate is this... Keep him with the team he's currently with and plays on the U10- B team. Or take him down to the right age group where he'll play on the U9- A team.
I have mixed feelings. On one end, he wants to stay with his current team. But there's a good chance some of his teammates may move up to the A team. I really like his present coach and I think the trainer they have is awesome. But maybe he can be more of a "star" playing with kids his own age? But I don't know who, if anyone, he would knkw on this other team. And I don't know anything about the coach or trainer they have.
What would you do?

Re: Which way would you go?

Will he be equally challenged in both? I would go wherever is going to challenge him more as an athlete. The younger boys might be playing at a lower level.. kwim?

Re: Which way would you go?

Talk to the coach about the options. My concern would be playing time and level of instruction. I would rather my kid be with older kids that would help bring up his play rather than him be a standout star with kids his own age. But instruction of the coach is a high priority too. If you like the current coach and feel he would improve skills, then I would probably keep him there.

Re: Which way would you go?

I would let your son choose - if he likes his coach and his current team then I would keep him there.

Re: Which way would you go?

Personally, I would probably keep him where he is. If you have had such a positive experience with this coach and trainer team, and he knows and has fun with these kids, I would keep him there.

Re: Which way would you go?

I would pick the team that he will have the most fun and what team's schedule is best for your family.

Re: Which way would you go?

As a long time sports mom, I would probably take him down to where he belongs. There are a couple of reasons-first as kids get older they sometimes, depending on the league, are eventually forced to play with their age group anyway and then there's the issue that he will probably shine playing with the younger kids. The friends thing probably wouldnt enter into the equation for me, because at 10-12, kids who are dedicated to a particular sport are looking to make A teams and better travel teams, etc.. Good luck whatever you decide.

Which way would you go?

If it were my son and assuming he was very type A/competitive then i would move him up. It will push him to excel even more... Then again, he is only 8 years old so not everyone will think this is the right thing to do but if you think he can handle it, then i say go for it.