NCFC Youth Honored with Prestigious John B. Ross Jr. Leadership Award at 2023 GRCVB Annual Meeting

Recognizing Nearly Half a Century of Excellence the Award Celebrates NCFC Youth's Commitment to Soccer and Wake County Tourism

Raleigh, NC (August 17, 2023) - In recognition of its outstanding contributions to the Wake County tourism industry and community, North Carolina Football Club Youth (NCFC Youth) was honored with the esteemed John B. Ross Jr.  Leadership Award at the 2023 Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau Annual Meeting today.

NCFC Youth is well-known as the nation's largest local-serving youth soccer club. Beyond its commitment to nurturing soccer talent, it has continually driven Raleigh's tourism sector forward. NCFC Youth is responsible for many state-, regional- and national-level events each year in Wake County. The notable visitRaleigh.com Showcase Series, which attracts more than 1500 teams and 700+ college coaches across four weekends of play, brought in an impressive $27.4 million in visitor spending to Wake County last year. This event alone accounted for a remarkable 30,000 hotel rooms booked across the region.

The award also celebrates NCFC Youth’s longstanding commitment to serving as a valuable community partner. The club distributes more than $400,000 each year through financial aid to qualifying players and families to ensure all kids have access to play. The club’s annual Kick 4 a Cause 4v4 tournament is a 100% charitable event that has raised over $100,000 for deserving non-profit organizations supporting the health, education, and broader underserved population needs of the youth in our community. NCFC Youth also operates outreach programs such as TOPSoccer and La Liga to provide more opportunities for access to the game. Another celebration is on the horizon as NCFC Youth prepares to commemorate its golden jubilee in 2024, marking 50 years of sporting excellence and community impact.

Gary Buete, CEO of NCFC Youth, expressed his gratitude, stating, "We are deeply honored to receive the John B. Ross Jr.  Leadership Award, a recognition that not only celebrates our commitment to soccer but also our dedication to Raleigh and the wider Wake County community. This award is a testament to the hard work and passion of every individual at NCFC Youth. As we approach our 50th year, we remain committed to increasing access to the game, fostering young talent, hosting premier events, and continuing our positive impact on the local community and economy."

The John B. Ross Jr. Leadership Award was established in 1996 to recognize an outstanding executive management-level individual (or group) who displays exceptional leadership skills to positively impact the Wake County hospitality industry and community. The award is given in honor of John Ross, who was the GRCVB Chairman of the Board of Directors in 1995-96. The award exemplifies the courage, leadership, dedication, and inspiration that Ross portrayed in the hospitality industry for more than 20 years.

About NCFC Youth:

Since 1974, NCFC Youth has been committed to enhancing each player’s soccer experience at every level and age of play. Through innovative soccer programming, player development opportunities, and a focus on coaching education, NCFC Youth creates an environment for more than 16,000 players and 800 coaches to grow on and off the field. As the largest club in North Carolina, NCFC Youth is proud to offer Recreation, Juniors, Challenge, Classic, Elite Clubs National League, and community outreach programs. NCFC Youth strives to improve the quality of life for our players, families, and community through the game of soccer. For more information, visit www.NCFCYouth.com.