> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.gymart.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.gymart.org/competitions/create-age-groups.md).

# Create age groups

You want gymnasts ranked by age within a level. Here's how to set that up.

## Prerequisites

* [Create a level](/levels/create-a-level.md)
* Decide your structure: see [Age groups vs subdivisions](/competitions/choose-age-groups-vs-subdivisions.md)

## Steps

1. From the meet admin, go to **Levels** and select your level.
2. Navigate to **Age Groups**.
3. Click **Add Competition**.
4. Set the birth date window:
   * **Earliest Birth Date** - The oldest gymnasts allowed. A gymnast born on or after this date is eligible.
   * **Latest Birth Date** - The youngest gymnasts allowed. A gymnast born on or before this date is eligible.
5. Click **Save**.

A new competition is created for this age group. Repeat to create additional age groups within the same level.

## How Birth Date Windows Work

Age groups are defined by birth date boundaries, not by age number. A gymnast is eligible for an age group if their birth date falls within the window (both boundaries are inclusive).

| Field               | Meaning                                     | Example           |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------- | ----------------- |
| Earliest Birth Date | Gymnast must be born on or after this date  | January 1, 2012   |
| Latest Birth Date   | Gymnast must be born on or before this date | December 31, 2013 |

A gymnast born March 15, 2012 is eligible because their birth date falls between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013. Age is shown for display purposes only and is not used in scoring or ranking.

### Open-ended windows

You can leave one boundary empty:

* No earliest date means there is no upper age limit (the oldest gymnasts in the level qualify).
* No latest date means there is no lower age limit (the youngest gymnasts qualify).
* Both empty means "All Ages" with no restriction.

## What Happens After Creating an Age Group

* A new competition is created for that birth date window.
* The competition starts with one subdivision containing all eligible gymnasts.
* You can [add more subdivisions](/competitions/create-subdivisions.md) within the competition to split gymnasts across sessions.
* Each competition can optionally override the level's score settings.

## Example Setup

Level 5 with three age groups:

| Age Group | Earliest Birth Date | Latest Birth Date |
| --------- | ------------------- | ----------------- |
| Ages 7-8  | January 1, 2018     | December 31, 2019 |
| Ages 9-10 | January 1, 2016     | December 31, 2017 |
| Ages 11+  | January 1, 2011     | December 31, 2015 |

Each age group is its own competition with its own rankings and awards.

Make sure age groups do not overlap. A gymnast should fall into exactly one window. Use your governing body's age cutoff conventions to set the boundaries.

## What's Next

* [Create subdivisions](/competitions/create-subdivisions.md) within each age group to split gymnasts across sessions
* [Assign subdivisions to sessions](/competitions/assign-subdivisions-to-sessions.md)

## Related

* [How do competitions, age groups, and subdivisions work?](/competitions/index.md)
* [How to decide: age groups vs subdivisions](/competitions/choose-age-groups-vs-subdivisions.md)
* [How to configure individual score settings](/levels/individual-score-settings.md)


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