NORTH CAROLINA FC ACADEMY
Academy Pathway
Our Academy has been a front runner for player development since its early days as Capital Area Rail Hawks (CASL), Triangle Futbol Club Alliance, and CASL Chelsea. Now as North Carolina FC, our commitment to continuing and improving upon our short but successful history, ensures that on a daily basis, we strive to identify, develop, and produce the best players in North Carolina.
To date, over 30 players have signed professional contracts and 21 have signed amateur contracts with the first team whilst still in the Academy.
Whilst becoming a professional player is the aspiration of our players, going on to higher education and playing collegiate soccer, is always present and at the forefront of our minds when laying out the progress plans for each of our players. During our time we have graduated a significant number of players to some of the top colleges in the country, where they have been able to continue their soccer development while pursuing higher education.
Our system aims to provide our players with a clear development pathway toward the professional levels and higher education. Players are encouraged to strive for excellence every day as we create a professional, fun, and competitive learning environment for all our teams.
The Academy is comprised of four development phases with 11 teams spanning eight age groups. Teams compete in various leagues both locally and nationwide depending on their age group.
For more information, please contact us at NCFC.Academy@NCFCYouth.com
North Carolina FC Academy Graduates have moved on to:
Trial Application
Thank you for your interest in joining our Academy program. We take great pride in not only developing high level soccer players, but also remarkable people that will have a positive and lasting impact on the communities where they reside. There are two ways that a player can be invited in for a trial:
Personal Player Application
Once we receive your application, the information will be reviewed by our staff and taken into consideration when deciding whether to extend an invitation or not. If we decide not to extend an invite to you, we will pass on your information to our ECNL or Classic programs for consideration.
Internal Club Scouting
Players that are currently part of NCFC Youth are constantly being evaluated by our staff. If we identify a player in another program and he is deemed to be at or close to the required level, they will be invited in for training via PlayMetrics.
Academy Staff
Daniel Sellitti - Academy Director | Academy Coach | U23 Technical Director
EDUCATION & LICENSING
- MS. Sports Nutrition | Logan University
- MA. Health Promotions | Concord University
- BA. Business Management | Marshall University
- USSF 'A' License - US Soccer
- Director of Coaching License - US Soccer
PAST EXPERIENCE
- Federation of Puerto Rican Football - Sporting Director
- Puerto Rico National Team - Assistant Coach
- Puerto Rico Youth National Team - Assistant Coach
- NCFC Youth - Boys ECNL Staff Coach
- University of Mount Olive - Assistant Coach (Collegiate)
- Concord University - Assistant Coach (Collegiate)
Joined
2019
Ryan Morris - Academy Coach
Education
• University of Western States
MSc in Sport & Performance Psychology
• Montclair State University
BSc in Nutrition & Food Science
• US Soccer A License
• US Soccer Club Technical Lead Level I
Coaching Experience
• RISE SC - U15 & U16 ECNL Head Coach (2023-2025)
• GFI Academy - U14 & U15 MLS NEXT Head Coach (2022-2023)
• College of Charleston - NCAA D1 Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach (2021-2022)
• Saint Peter’s University - NCAA D1 Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach (2019-2021)
• The College of New Jersey - NCAA D3 Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach (2018-2019)
• University of Houston - Mental Performance Coach (2024-2025)
• East Brunswick Soccer Club - Director of Coaching (2020-2021)
• Jackson Lions FC - U23 Head Coach (2019-2021)
• TSF Academy - College Coordinator at USSDA Assistant Coach (2019)
• Atlantic City FC - NPSL Assistant Coach (2019)
Ramon Gallardo Jr. - Academy Coach
EDUCATION & LICENSING
- BA Math I University of Mount Olive
- USSF ‘B’ License
PAST EXPERIENCE
- Del Sol Program-Director (Youth)
- CASL and CAYA-Coach (Youth)
- University of Mount Olive-Men’s Volunteer Assistant (Collegiate)
Jay Williams - Academy Coach
EDUCATION & LICENSING
- BA. Sport & Exercise Psychology I West Virgina Uni.
- USSF "B" License
PAST EXPERIENCE
- North Carolina FC Youth - Seasonal Coach (Youth)
- FC Alliance - Head Coach & Director Of Opperations (Youth)
- Pro Performance - Assist. Director Of Soccer (Youth)
Cory Elenio - Pre Academy Coach
EDUCATION & LICENSING
- BA. Business Management l Uni. Of Evansville
- USSF 'D' License l US Soccer
PAST EXPERIENCE
- Columbus Crew - Staff Coach (Youth)
- Columbus Crew - Player (PRO)
- Carolina RailHawks - Player (PRO)
- Wilmington Hammerheads - Player (PRO)
Stephen Palmer - Director of Goalkeeping
EDUCATION & LICENSING
To be added...
PAST EXPERIENCE
To be added...
Daniel Treus - Assistant Director of Goalkeeping
Michael Mecham - Pre Academy Head Coach
Luis Paiva - Pre Academy Head Coach
Felipe Castillo - Academy Assistant Coach & Scout
