CHALLENGE

About the Program


Challenge soccer is a competitive program that requires players to try out and provides a higher level of competition and commitment than our Recreation program, but lower time and financial commitment than Classic. Challenge is offered to players born between 2015-2005 (ages 9-19) and is led by Challenge Director Jamie Corti.


Teams in the Challenge program are formed by birth year (not grades) and require a full-year commitment that includes both a Fall season (August - November) and a Spring season (February - May).

Quick Facts:

  • Intermediate program for players ages 9 - 19
  • Teams train 2x/week and play a game on the weekend
  • Teams are led by volunteer coaches supported by a full-time Challenge Director & 2 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.
  • U15-19 Challenge teams practice 1x week to maximize attendance and minimize conflicts with other activities
  • U15-U19 Challenge Coaches may request a 2nd session through our scheduler.
  • 2nd sessions are assigned once all other NCFC trainings have been scheduled, based on availability, and are not guaranteed.

Tryout Registration


In order to be evaluated for the Challenge program, new players must:


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. We will reach out to all players registered for tryouts the week prior to tryouts. If you have any questions, please email us at Challenge@ncfcyouth.com.


Current Challenge players interested in returning to their team do not need to complete an Intent to Play and will receive a Team Invite through PlayMetrics in mid-April. (U15-U19 Challenge Boys will receive their Team Invites in October for the Spring season).

Tryout Dates


We will be holding Challenge tryouts in June for U15-U19 (2009-2005) Girls and U9-U14 (2015-2010) Boys and Girls. Dates are listed below. 


U15-U19 (2009-2005) Boys will have tryouts in November/December, as they play only during the Spring.


For 2015-2010 players, tryouts are a two-day event. Players are expected to attend both days. 2009-2005 Girls tryouts are one night only.


Players will need to check in with Challenge staff to get their tryout bib and field assignment. Check-in opens an hour prior to each tryout session—come check in with us anytime during that window. Players only need to check in on the first day of their tryout.


Times & Field Locations will be updated the first week of May.

Tryout Dates and Times

2015 Boys and Girls Tryouts

Date Location Times
Saturday, June 3 WRAL Soccer Park 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Sunday, June 4 WRAL Soccer Park 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

2014 Boys and Girls Tryouts

Date Location Time
Saturday, June 3 WRAL Soccer Park 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Sunday, June 4 WRAL Soccer Park 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

2013 Boys and Girls Tryouts

Date Location Time
Wednesday, June 7 WRAL Soccer Park 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM
Thursday, June 8 WRAL Soccer Park 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM

2012 Boys and Girls Tryouts

Date Location Time
Wednesday, June 7 WRAL Soccer Park 7:00 PM - 8:15 PM
Thursday, June 8 WRAL Soccer Park 7:00 PM - 8:15 PM

2011-2010 Boys and Girls Tryouts

Date Location Time
Monday, June 5 WRAL Soccer Park 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Tuesday, June 6 WRAL Soccer Park 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

2009-2005 High School Girls Tryouts

Date Location Time
Thursday, June 1 WRAL Soccer Park 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

The Tryout Process

  1. Registration: All players wishing to attend tryouts must register online before the registration deadline.
  2. Tryouts: Challenge tryouts will be held for each age group and region at WRAL Soccer Park (7700 Perry Creek Road, Raleigh, NC).
  3. Draft: Based on evaluations made during tryouts, coaches use a draft system to form competitively-balanced teams within each region and age group.
  4. Phone Calls: If your child is drafted to a Challenge team, you will receive a phone call either from the coach or from Challenge staff within 1 week after tryouts. You will be asked to either accept or decline the spot on the team.
  5. Emails: After all phone calls have been made to newly drafted Challenge players, the Challenge department will send out an “All Calls Made” email. If you receive this email and you have not received a phone call offering your child a spot on a team, then unfortunately, your child was not selected. This email may take up to 10 days, depending on your age group. This email may be routed to your SPAM/JUNK folder. If after 10 days you do not see an email in your inbox/junk/spam folder, please email  Challenge@ncfcyouth.com
  6. Team Invite: If you received a phone call and accepted a spot over the phone, you will also receive an email through PlayMetrics with a Team Invite (within two weeks after the end of tryouts). The invite will be sent to the email address associated with the PlayMetrics account your family used to register for tryouts. Please click on the invite to formally accept your child’s spot on their Challenge team.
  7. Payment: Accepting your child’s spot on the team in PlayMetrics will enable you to make payment for your Challenge fees and submit the required paperwork (medical waiver, birth certificate, headshot photo).
  8. Uniform: A link will be sent to all Challenge families from SOCCER.com to complete the uniform ordering process.
Tryout Process Graphic

Important Dates


Dates below are for the 2022-23 season.

Spring 2023 Play Dates

Date Description
February 20th Practices Begin
Mar 11th-12th #1 Play Date
Mar 18th-19th #2 Play Date
Mar 25th-26th #3 Play Date
April 1st-2nd #4 Play Date (1st weekend WCPSS Spring Break)
April 8th-9th No Games
April 15th-16th #5 Play Date
April 22nd-23rd #6 Play Date
April 29th-30th #7 Play Date
May 6th-7th #8 Rain Make Up Weekend

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.

View Schedules →

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
  • Durham/Chapel Hill (DCH)
  • Holly Springs/Fuquay Varina (HSFV)
  • Knightdale
Field Locations & Maps →
  • Cary
  • Chatham County
  • Garner
  • Wake Forest

Club Fees


2023-24 Club Fees

NCFC Youth Challenge players who accept a spot on a Challenge team are committing to the full year (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
2015 (U9) - 2014 (U10) $600
2013 (U11) - 2012 (U12) $630
2011 (U13) - 2010 (U14) $640
2009 (U15) - 2005 (U19) $400

Installments - Full Year

Date U9-U10 U11-U12 U13-U14 U15-U19
Acceptance Fee $150 $155 $160 $200
July 15 $150 $160 $160 $200
September 15 $150 $155 $160 --
October 15 $150 $160 $160 --

Uniforms


Fall 2021 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 2023 season. 

All Challenge players are required to wear the NCFC Grey Training Top at all training/practices. Navy shorts and Navy socks should be worn to training. We recommend Adidas shorts and socks.

AWAY                                             HOME                                    PRACTICE

Uniform Size Approx. Cost*
Youth Kit $175
Adult Kit $189

*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 Resources


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.


Apply Now

Practice Plans

Print, study and execute these pre-designed practice sessions to help you plan for the season.


Get Started →

Rules of Play

Understand the rules of the game for whichever age group you are coaching.


Learn the Game →

Coaching Education

We provide a number of coaching education opportunities to coaches at all skill levels.




Code of Coduct

All Challenge Coaches must abide by the five points of the Coaches Code of Conduct.


Read the Code 

Coaches Meeting

Each season kicks off with a pre-season coaches meeting led by our Challenge Director.



Team Manager Resources


Everything Team Managers need to know before, during and after the season!

Team Dues & Budget Guidelines

See a sample budget and learn how to manage the team budget and team dues.


Learn More →

Survival Guide

We provided a printable guide on what to do before, during and after the season.


Get the Guide →

Team Manager Handbook

Our Team Manager Handbook provides you with information on

responsibilities and tips.

Download the Handbook →

Notification to Travel

Required whenever your team intends to play outside the state of North Carolina.


Get the Form →

Policies

Read more about Challenge Policies including refunds, coaches expense, insurance, and try-outs.


See all Policies →

Guest Player

Guest player policies and procedures for requests.



Learn More→

Contact Us

Please direct any questions to your area administrator:

Jamie Corti

Challenge Director



Patty Scharville

Assistant Challenge Director,

U9-U12Age Group Administrator

Lindsey Todd

U13-U19 Age Group Administrator


¿PREGUNTAS?

Comuníquese con el administrador de Español, Ramon Gallardo o Giovanni Solis

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