2020-2021 Challenge Tryouts
Registration for our Challenge High School Boys and U9-U14 Boys and Girls supplemental tryouts is now open. All players interested in our Challenge program must create an account in PlayMetrics in order to register for 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.
Challenge High School Boys and U9-U14 Boys and Girls Supplemental Tryouts
We will be holding Challenge tryouts December 11-12 for Challenge High School Boys age groups (2006-2002) and U9-U14 (2012-2007) Boys and Girls. 2006-2002 (U15-U19) boys play Challenge soccer only in the Spring, and attend our traditional tryout each December to form teams. U9-U14 Boys and Girls can attend supplemental tryouts December 11-12 to help replenish rosters of existing Challenge teams before they head into their Spring season. There is roster space available in all age groups. We intend to build additional U9 (2012) and U10 (2011) boys and girls teams.
Below are the available dates for tryouts. You will not be able to select a date to be evaluated. Please note that there is only one day of tryouts, Sunday will only be used if a tryout is cancelled.
In order to be evaluated for Challenge tryouts, you must complete an Intent to Play. We will reach out to all players registered for tryouts the week prior to tryouts. If you have any questions, please email Challenge Director [email protected].
High School Boys Tryouts
Challenge High School Boys Tryouts, for players born 2006-2002 will be held in December at WRAL Soccer Park. Registration for Challenge High School Boys Tryouts will open in early November. Please check our home page, challenge tryout page, and social media pages for updates and announcements.
High School Boys (2002-2006) Tryouts |
| Date | Check-In | Tryouts | Location |
Friday, December 11 |
5:30 PM | 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM |
WRAL Soccer Park |
U9-U14 Boys and Girls Supplemental Tryouts
U9-U10 (2012-2011) Supplemental Tryouts |
| Date | Check-In | Tryouts | Location |
Saturday, December 12 |
9:00 AM | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM |
WRAL Soccer Park |
U11-U12 (2010-2009) Supplemental Tryouts |
| Date | Check-In | Tryouts | Location |
Saturday, December 12 |
11:00 AM | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM |
WRAL Soccer Park |
U13-U14 (2008-2007) Supplemental Tryouts |
| Date | Check-In | Tryouts | Location |
Saturday, December 12 |
1:00 PM | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM |
WRAL Soccer Park |
New Challenge Players
All prospective Challenge players must register by December 4 and attend tryouts in order to be evaluated and potentially placed on a team.
Returning Challenge Players
Returning Challenge players who would like to return to their previous Challenge team must accept the invitation in PlayMetrics that was emailed to them. Returning Challenge players who want to be placed on a new Challenge team must register and attend tryouts. These players will be removed from their previous roster and placed in the tryout pool. Please note there is no guarantee of placement once a returning Challenge player goes back into the tryout poll and is put into the draft.
U9-U14 Challenge players who have been playing on a Challenge team in the Fall are already committed to their team for the Spring season. There is no further registration of payment required. Current Challenge players who do not wish to return for the Spring season must submit a refund request by November 16.
2012 (U9) Program
The 2012 (U9) age group is a developmental portion of the Challenge program. All U9 players are required to attend Challenge tryouts again in the following Fall to be selected for a U10 team. This means all U9 Challenge players must tryout to make U10, this is done to ensure parity at the U10 level and above.
Tryout Details
Our intent is to have Challenge teams at every age group and gender in Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Garner, Holly Springs, Durham-Chapel Hill, and Wendell. Whether or not teams will be formed in each region depends upon try-out numbers and Challenge Director's discretion.
All tryout check-in will be at the clubhouse at the Fitness Center (Blue one-story building) at WRAL Soccer Complex (7700 Perry Creek Road). Check-in will be divided by age group, gender, and region. Please make note of which region you registered under in your PlayMetrics account. At check-in, Challenge administrators and volunteers will check your player in, and give your player their number to wear on their shorts during tryouts.
Tryout Process/Timeline
- Registration: All players wishing to attend tryouts must register online before the registration deadline of Friday, December 4, 2020
- Tryouts: Challenge tryouts will be held for each age group and region at WRAL Soccer Park (7700 Perry Creek Road, Raleigh, NC).
- Draft: Immediately after tryouts, the draft begins. Based on evaluations made during tryouts, coaches use a draft system to form competitively-balanced teams within each region and age group.
- 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 72 hours after tryouts. You will be asked to either accept or decline the spot on the team.
- 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 for a Challenge team. This email may take up to 5-7 days, depending on your age group.
- Acceptance Link: If you received a phone call and accepted a spot over the phone, you will also receive an email through PlayMetrics with an acceptance link (approximately 7-10 days after the end of tryouts). The link will be sent to the email address associated with the PlayMetrics account your family used to register for tryouts.
- Payment: Accepting your child’s spot on the team in PlayMetrics will also enable you to make payment for your Challenge fees.
- Paperwork: Team Managers will reach out via email to collect all paperwork necessary to register the team with NCYSA. Each player must submit a medical waiver, a photo, and a birth certificate.
- Uniform: Team Managers will send a link from Soccer.com to all new families through which you can order your child’s uniform.
- Carding: All Challenge players will have a player card that will be checked by the referees before the start of each game. We are required by NCYSA to validate each card by verifying that all information on the card is correct. Once your child is registered with NCYSA, a carding session will be set up to validate their information. Players will be notified by the Challenge Administrators/Team Managers when the carding events will take place
Player Information: What to Bring to Tryouts
White Shirt
Dark Shorts/Dark Socks*
Shin Guards
Cleats
Water Bottle
Soccer Ball (pumped)
U9-U12(2012-2009): Size 4 Ball | U13-U19(2008-2002): Size 5 Ball
*Dark Jacket/Hoodie if Cold (Black/Navy/etc).
Financial Aid
Financial Aid for the 2020-2021 season is now open!
The application can be found by logging into your PlayMetrics account, clicking on the “Registrations” module on the left hand side and then the Financial Aid Tab near the middle/top of the screen. A blue REQUEST FINANCIAL AID button will appear at the very top right corner.
Financial Aid is available to families experiencing family, medical, or extenuating financial hardships. Families wishing to submit a Financial Aid application should complete their application as they register for our NCFC Challenge tryouts. The 2020-2021 Financial Aid application cycle will open prior to tryouts. All players should submit their completed application prior to their Challenge tryout date. All applications received by the appropriate due date will receive first consideration and have the best opportunity to receive the most aid. Those received after the player's tryout will only be considered to the extent funds remain. We strongly encourage all players who need assistance with fees to submit their completed application (including financial supporting documentation) as early as possible. Click here to learn more about our Financial Aid program and application deadlines.