CHALLENGE
About the Program
Challenge soccer is a competitive program that requires a higher level of commitment than recreation, but a lower time and financial commitment than Classic. Players are required to tryout and teams are formed by birthyear (not grades).
For the 25-26 year, Challenge is offered to players born between 2017-2007 (U9-U19).
- U9-U14 is a two-season commitment that includes a Fall (August-early November) and Spring Season (February-early May)
- U15-U19 Girls play Fall Only to accommodate their HS Soccer Season
- U15-U19 Boys play Spring Only to accommodate their HS Soccer Season.
Quick Facts:
- Intermediate program for players ages U9-U19
- Teams train 2x/week and play a game on the weekend
- Teams are led by volunteer coaches supported by a full-time Challenge Director & 3 full-time Administrators
- Option to compete in select local/travel tournaments throughout the year
- U15-U19 Girls teams only play in the Fall season, U15-U19 Boys teams only play Spring season to accommodate the high school season.
About our Coaches
The Challenge program is led by passionate volunteer coaches.
The overall goal of our program and coaches is to provide a fun, positive and safe environment for our players to grow their love and development for the game.
Interested in becoming a coach?
Tryouts
Challenge Tryouts for 2011-2007 Boys (Older Boys Division)
This is the main tryout for the 2011-2007 Boys interested in exploring the Challenge program for Spring 2026. Specific field location and tryout information will be communicated to registered participants closer to the tryout date.
| Date | Location | Check-In | Tryout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, November 21 | WRAL Soccer Park | 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM |
New players interested in the Challenge Program:
- Create an account in PlayMetrics
- Complete an Intent to Play – Challenge Program- Older Boys Registration
- Parents/Guardians should create an account in their name and add each child as a participant
Already have a PlayMetrics Account? ·
- Please
login to register for Intent to Play – Challenge Program – Older Boys Registration.
Are you a Returning Challenge Player in the Older Boys Division?
If you are a returning player (participated in 2024-2025 Challenge season) and would like to return to your previous team, do not register for tryouts through the Intent to Play; this is for tryouts only.
A Team Invite registration will be sent to your PlayMetrics account on/around October 1st.
Supplemental Tryouts for the 2017-2012 Boys and Girls
This is a mid-year supplemental tryout for new players interested in exploring the Challenge program. This tryout is designed to fill empty roster spots on existing teams as we head into the Spring season.
Tryouts are birth year specific; please locate your specific date.
Specific time and field location will be posted once finalized and communicated to registered participants closer to the tryout date.
2017 (U9) Boys & Girls
| Date | Location | Check-In | Tryout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, November 22 | WRAL Soccer Park | 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM | 9:30 AM - 11 AM |
2016 (U10) Boys & Girls
| Date | Location | Check-In | Tryout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, November 22 | WRAL Soccer Park | 8:30 AM -9:30 AM | 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM |
2015 (U11) Boys & Girls
| Date | Location | Check-In | Tryout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, November 22 | WRAL Soccer Park | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM |
2014 (U12) Boys & Girls
| Date | Location | Check-In | Tryout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, November 22 | WRAL Soccer Park | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM |
2013 (U13) Boys & Girls
| Date | Location | Check-In | Tryout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, November 23 | WRAL Soccer Park | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM |
2012 (U14) Boys & Girls
| Date | Location | Check-In | Tryout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, November 23 | WRAL Soccer Park | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM |
New players
interested in the Challenge Program must
create an account in PlayMetrics and complete an Intent to Play – Challenge Program- Supplemental Tryouts (Parents/Guardians should create an account in their name and add each child as a participant.) If you already have an existing PlayMetrics account, please
login to register.
2011-2007 Girls (Older Girls Division) play Challenge only during the Fall season to accommodate the high school soccer season in the spring. The next opportunity to try out for that age group will be in May/June 2025.
Questions? Contact Challenge@NCFCYouth.com. Be sure to include your player's full name and birth year in your email.
Important Dates
Fall 2025
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| August 4 | Fall Season Kick-off Zoom for families |
| August 11 | First Week of Practoce |
| August 23-24 | Play Date #1 |
| September 6-7 | Play Date #2 |
| September 13-14 | Play Date #3 |
| September 20-21 | Play Date #4 |
| September 27-28 | Play Date #5 |
| October 4-5 | Play Date #6 |
| October 11-12 | No Regular Season Games Scheduled (Capital City Classic - Optional) |
| October 18-19 | Play Date #7 |
| October 25-26 | Play Date #8 |
| November 1-2 | Weather Make-Up* |
*The Weather Make-Up Weekend will be activated if the season experiences multiple weather-related disruptions. Whenever possible, early weather-related cancellations will be rescheduled within the existing season calendar. However, due to the unpredictable nature of weather, please keep this weekend reserved in case it is needed.
Spring 2026 Play Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| Mid-February | First Week of Practice |
| March 7-8 | First Play Date |
| April 4-5 | No Games (Easter Weekend) |
| Early/Mid-May | Last Play Date |
Schedules
Challenge teams participate in NCFC Youth's Challenge Scheduling League which is sanctioned by NCYSA.
Game schedules are available to view both through NCYSA's SINC Website as well as your team's PlayMetrics page.
To view Schedules in PlayMetrics, login to your account, click on your Team's page and then on the Games tab at the top.
Field Locations
Players select a designated region during registration, which helps determine team assignment. We make every effort to place players on age-appropriate teams in their selected region of choice.
- Raleigh/Knightdale
- Durham/Chapel Hill (DCH)
- Holly Springs/Fuquay Varina (HSFV)
- Cary
- Garner
- Wake Forest
Club Fees
2025-2026 Full Year
NCFC Youth Challenge players who accept a spot on a Challenge team are committing to the Fall & Spring seasons (barring extenuating circumstances), will pay the Challenge Club Fee upfront or in installments, and purchase a uniform kit every two years.
| Age Group | Full Year Fee |
|---|---|
| 2017 (U9) - 2016 (U10) | $675 |
| 2015 (U11) - 2014 (U12) | $705 |
| 2013 (U13) - 2012 (U14) | $715 |
| 2011 (U15) - 2007 (U19) | $425 |
Installments - Full Year
| Date | U9-U10 | U11-U12 | U13-U14 | U15-U19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Fee | $180 | $180 | $185 | $225 |
| July 15 | $160 | $175 | $175 | $200 |
| September 15 | $180 | $175 | $180 | -- |
| October 15 | $155 | $175 | $175 | -- |
Installments - Mid Year (Supplemental New Players & Older Boys
| Date | U9-U10 | U11-U12 | U13-U14 | U15-U19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Fee | $180 | $175 | $180 | $225 |
| January 15 | $155 | $175 | $175 | $200 |
Uniforms
Fall 2025 begins the first year of our 2-year Adidas uniform cycle. NCFC Youth Challenge players will be using the Challenge uniform kit through the end of the Spring 2027 season.
2025-2027 Challenge Uniform Kits:
| Uniform Size | Approx. Cost* |
|---|---|
| Youth Kit | ≈$175 |
| Adult Kit | ≈$195 |
*Estimated uniform costs are based on minimum required uniform kit items and do not include taxes or shipping, if applicable, and may change based on sizes, mix of sizes, etc.. Economy shipping is free on orders over $100.
Coach Support
We provide a number of coaching education opportunities to coaches at all skill levels. Click the links below to learn more.
Coaching Application
Qualified candidates must have passion, energy, enthusiasm, and desire to work with young players.
Season Plans
We provide a weekly session for the length of the season that is easy to follow, implement or adapt to your environment. These plans are created by our Director of Coach Development and are developmentally appropriate for each age and format.
Rules of Play
Contact Us
Please direct any questions to your area administrator:
Patty Scharville
Assistant Challenge Director
U9-U12 Age Group Administrator
Christine Rocchio
Assistant Challenge Director
U13-U19 Age Group Administrator
Comuníquese con el administrador de Español, Ramon Gallardo
