Jason "Buddha" Keyes named NCFC Youth's Director, National Premier Leagues (NPL)

Keyes will also continue his role of South Boys Regional Director

Raleigh, NC (May 28, 2024) - Earlier this spring, NCFC Youth announced a move to join US Club Soccer’s National Premier Leagues (NPL) beginning Fall 2024. Through the Players First philosophy and established NPL platform, participating teams will have more meaningful games, less travel, and be provided a pathway to postseason competition.

NCFC Youth will have 11 total teams (one girls team and one boys team) from each of the U13-U18/19 age groups (with the exception of U19 girls) participating in the league this Fall. The teams will participate in the South Atlantic Premier League – East Division, which also includes Barca Academy, Charleston Soccer Club, Charlotte Eagles, FC Athletico, James Island YSC, among others.

To help oversee NCFC Youth’s participation in the NPL, Jason “Buddha” Keyes, takes on an additional role as the club’s NPL Director. In this role, he will oversee the day-to-day management of the coaches and teams participating in the league, and he will be the club’s liaison to the league. Keyes will continue his current role as the U13-19 South Boys Regional Director while acting as the NPL Director.

Keyes is entering his 10^th year with the club. He is a Fayetteville native, but he travelled to the Raleigh area to play for NCFC Youth (then CASL) on the ’75 ISA team in high school. He went on to have a stand-out career at NC State, then professionally with the Raleigh Flyers, Capital Xpress, and Harrisburg Heat.

After his professional career ended, Keyes transitioned his passion for the game to coaching. He was a 14-year veteran coach at Next Level Academy, and has coached teams across the boys and girls Classic programs and Girls ECNL program. He brings a wealth of coaching knowledge and director management to the NCFC Youth teams participating in the NPL.

To learn more about the NPL, click here.