Challenge Program
The NCFC Challenge program is the intermediary division of soccer at NCFC Youth. 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 teams for U9-U14 is a year-long commitment (both Fall and Spring seasons).
U15-U19 are seasonal due to high school soccer. U15-U19 Girls are Fall only. U15-U19 Boys are Spring only. Challenge is offered to players born between 2011-2001 (ages 9-19), and led by Challenge Director Brett Malone.
Team Regions
An important difference to note for those that have played in our Recreation program. Challenge players are selected to a region team, unlike Recreation, where players are rostered to a team based on neighborhood/field proximity. This means your practice location may not be right next to your neighborhood or school, however it would still be in your region.
Challenge Players are selected to teams through a tryout and draft process. Players, Parents, or Coaches may not request placement on a specific team due to specific Challenge team building policies set by the state association.
Team Formation
Annual Tryouts
All new players interested in playing Challenge soccer must register and attend try-outs. Tryout dates for the 2019-20 are listed here.
Challenge teams are based on players' birth year (mandated by USYS) and region in which they live: Raleigh, Cary, Garner, Wake Forest, Holly Springs, and Durham-Chapel Hill. After each player is fairly evaluated at try-outs, Challenge Coaches will use a draft system to pick their team in effort to form competitively balanced teams in each region. Only children of NCFC Challenge head coaches are guaranteed placement onto a NCFC Challenge team.
+ Supplemental Tryouts*
- Supplemental Tryouts*
Our intent is to have Challenge teams at every age group and gender in Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Garner, Holly Springs, and Durham-Chapel Hill. Whether or not teams will be formed in each region depends upon try-out numbers and Director's discretion.
Challenge will hold supplemental tryouts December 8-10, 2017 for the Spring 2018 season. All tryouts will be held at WRAL Soccer Park (7700 Perry Creek Road).
Registration will open October 16, 2017. Deadline for $25 try-out registration fee is November 29. All players who register after November 29 must pay $60.
Please Note:
If you participated during the Fall 2017 with a NON NCFC team/club, you will need to be released from your club prior to attending the NCFC YOuth Supplemental tryouts. Questions, please contact [email protected].
Age Groups
This birth year chart below is for the Fall 2019 - Spring 2020 Season. Our Challenge Program is offered to players born in 2011-2001 (ages 9-19). Challenge age groups are done by Birth Year, DIFFERENT from Recreation's Calendar Year age groups.
| Birth Year | Age Group |
| 2011 | 9U (11) |
| 2010 | 10U (10) |
| 2009 | 11U (09) |
| 2008 | 12U (08) |
| 2007 | 13U (07) |
| 2006 | 14U (06) |
| 2005 | 15U (05) |
| 2004 | 16U (04) |
| 2003 | 17U (03) |
| 2002 | 18U (02) |
| 2001 | 19U (01) |
2011 (U9) Program
The 2011 (U9) age group is a developmental portion of the Challenge program. U9 teams are disbanded after the Spring season and all U9 players are then required to attend Challenge tryouts again in the Fall to be selected for a U10 team. This is done to ensure parity at the U10 level and above.
U9 teams CANNOT play in any tournaments. We do provide an end of year event in the Spring to all U9 teams.
Seasons
Challenge is a year long program played in the Fall (end of August - end of October) and Spring (mid February - end of April). When a player registers in the Fall, they are automatically enrolled for the year (both Fall and Spring seasons).
If you make the decision to tryout and accept a spot on a Challenge team, we ask you to understand that you are making a commitment to the full year.
Players can attend Supplemental tryouts in December in attempts to make a Spring 2019 Challenge team (dependent on availability), in which case they would only play in the Spring.High School Age Teams
High School age teams (U15-U19) will only play one season in the Challenge program as this allows players to play with their high school teams. High School Girls will play their Challenge season in the Fall. Players wishing to continue playing in the Spring soccer with NCFC Youth can play in our Recreation division without losing their veteran status on their current Challenge team.
High School Boys will play their Challenge season in the Spring. Players wishing to play Fall soccer with NCFC Youth can play in our Recreation division without losing their veteran status on their current Challenge team.
Important Dates
Fall 2019
|
August 12 |
Practices Begin |
September 28-29
|
#5 Play Date |
|
August 24-25 | #1 Play Date | October 5-6 |
#6 Play Date |
|
August 31-Sept. 1
(Labor Day) | No Games | October 12-13 |
Bye Weekend
(Columbus Day Classic) |
|
September 7-8 | #2 Play Date | October 19-20 |
#7 Play Date |
| September 14-15 |
#3 Play Date
|
October 26-27 | Rain Make-up Weekend |
| September 21-22 | #4 Play Date | | |
Policies and Forms
Read more about Challenge Policies including refunds, uniforms, insurance, and equipment.
Policies