NCFC Youth Set to Kickoff the visitRaleigh.com Showcase Series

From visitRaleigh.com:


Raleigh, N.C. (Oct. 31, 2023) – The visitRaleigh.com Showcase Series is the largest annual youth and amateur sporting event in Wake County. The event returns for kickoff November 4-December 3, 2023, with WRAL Soccer Park serving as the headquarter venue and utilizing multiple surrounding area fields. North Carolina Football Club (NCFC) Youth’s annual visitRaleigh.com Showcase Series commences with the Girls Junior Showcase on Saturday, November 4. Several prominent youth and collegiate soccer events will take place simultaneously in the area including the ACC Women’s Soccer Championship, ACC Men’s Soccer Championship and the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship (College Cup). Combined these events exemplify why Wake County will become the center of the soccer universe over the next month.

NCFC Youth
 is one of the country's largest and most notable soccer clubs and has been a longstanding contributor to area tourism. The club was recently honored with the prestigious John B. Ross Leadership Award at the 2023 GRCVB Annual Meeting in recognition of their remarkable contributions to both Wake County tourism and the local community. This recognition comes as the club approaches its 50th anniversary in 2024, marking nearly a half-century of dedicated service.


“We are looking forward to welcoming teams from across the country for our annual visitRaleigh.com Showcase Series. The generations of leadership at NCFC Youth have built up the event from a single weekend in 1982 to an event that now spans 4 weekends,” said Gary Buete, NCFC Youth CEO. “The growth and support of our hospitality community – from hotels, and restaurants, to entertainment around town – along with the investment into field development throughout our area has helped ensure that our tournament can sustain for years to come and that visitors have a great experience while they are here.”


As the largest youth sporting event held in the Triangle, NCFC Youth’s visitRaleigh.com Showcase Series is expected to attract more than 1,350 teams from across the country to play over four weekends of competition. Around 1,000 college coaches are expected to attend for recruiting purposes, bringing an estimated total of over 72,000 visitors to the Greater Raleigh area, equaling over 32,000 total room nights and an estimated $27.8 million in economic impact.


“The visitRaleigh.com Showcase Series is a massive economic impact event for this market,” said Scott Dupree, Executive Director of the GRSA. “In fact, it’s the largest annual sporting event anywhere in the Triangle, based on hotel room nights, and there really isn’t a close second. It’s a signature event with a sterling reputation nationally, and we are proud to partner with NCFC Youth in order to help make it happen.”


The complete lineup of events can be found here.


By Georgia Kelley May 8, 2025
NCFC Youth is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Lane Meyer Scholarship , a $2,500 award given to exceptional college-bound, NCFC Youth seniors who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in academics, athletics, friendships, and community service — the pillars that define Lane Meyer's legacy.  Each year, the family of Lane Meyer and the scholarship review committee selects recipients from NCFC Youth applicants who have distinguished themselves on and off the field. This year, three outstanding student-athletes have been selected for their achievements and unwavering dedication to their teams, schools, and communities. Please join us in congratulating the 2025 Lane Meyer Scholarship recipients: Addison Faris High School: Heritage High School NCFC Youth Teams: 07 NCFC WF United Black, ECNL 07 Elite G Future Plans: Addison will attend the University of South Carolina , where she plans to study International Business, Business Management, and/or Chinese Language & Culture. A strong leader and high-achieving student, Addison has balanced academic excellence with competitive play, embodying the values of teamwork and global citizenship. Davis Sauls High School: Wakefield High School NCFC Youth Team: 06 ECNL Elite Future Plans: Davis will be attending UNC Chapel Hill , with plans to study Business. Known for his discipline on the pitch and in the classroom, Davis exemplifies maturity, resilience, and a commitment to lifelong learning — qualities that will serve him well as he continues in this next chapter. Katie Paulakonis High School: Middle College High School at Durham Tech NCFC Youth Team: 06/07 ECNL G Future Plans: Katie is headed to Bellarmine University , where she intends to major in Exercise Science Sports Performance. A dedicated athlete with a passion for health and wellness, Katie has consistently demonstrated compassion, perseverance, and a drive to make a positive impact in her community. We are incredibly proud of Addison, Davis, and Katie, and we look forward to seeing all they will accomplish in the next chapter of their lives. Congratulations to these inspiring student-athletes — your NCFC Youth family celebrates you! To learn more about Lane Meyer and the Lane Meyer Scholarship, which is awarded each year to at least 1 boy and 1 girl in NCFC Youth Challenge soccer or higher, click here.
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