North Carolina Football Club Youth
Ensuring that Soccer is Available to All Youth
More than 17,000 players participate in NCFC Youth, the largest soccer club in North Carolina. NCFC Youth is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. North Carolina FC Youth was founded in 1974, and today is the largest soccer club in North Carolina. Committed to enhancing each player’s soccer experience at every level and age of play, NCFC Youth serves more than 17,000 players from ages 2 ½ to 19.
“We were founded by four local parents who wanted a place for their kids to play. Celebrating our 50th anniversary this year, we have evolved from a volunteer-led organization to one that now has more than 80 full-time staff members, 200 seasonal staff coaches, and 1,500 volunteer coaches,” says Katharine Eberhardt, chief marketing and development officer.
NCFC Youth is a full-service youth soccer organization, which Katharine defines as, “Whether you are four and have never touched a soccer ball or you are 18 and have never touched a ball, or any age in between, we have every possible program that you can imagine to fit every player’s developmental and skill level.”
The programs start with recreation, an introductory level of play that requires the least amount of time and family commitment. Intermediate is the challenge division and involves two practices a week and games on weekends. “About 60 percent of our kids are in either the recreational or challenge levels,” Katharine says. “Then we have about 2,000 kids who are in the competitive division that requires three to four practices a week, games on weekends, and travel to tournaments.”
NCFC Youth offers TOPSoccer – The Outreach Program for Soccer – for children with intellectual, emotional, or physical disabilities. “This program is focused on and adapted for special needs athletes. We have about 150 athletes in this program, and they are supported by an equal number of volunteer buddies who help out on Saturday play dates. It is a great way for these athletes to thrive and have fun,” Katharine says.
La Liga is an NCFC Youth program that reaches out to the Latino communities which have historically been underrepresented in youth club soccer across the U.S. due to economic, cultural, transportation, communication, and other barriers. La Liga is a reduced fee program that takes place on the weekends and is run by Spanish-speaking coaches.
NCFC Youth has programs for players of all ages and abilities from young toddlers through age 19. NCFC Youth also supports a financial aid program and more than $440,000 has been committed to qualified players and their families across all levels and ages. “We want to make sure that every kid has access not only to play, but also to have the benefits that come with team sport participation – sportsmanship, discipline, accountability, learning how to practice, to struggle and be a good teammate. We inherently know those things can come through sport,” Katharine says.
Brian Reid, TowneBank Triangle president, connected with NCFC Youth when his children were playing the sport. “Brian was a soccer dad, then he joined our board and has served since 2008,” Katharine says. “As our finance committee chair, Brian helped us navigate through the pandemic which was crucial. He guides us with long-term financial planning to ensure our longevity and sustainability. Towne has been a huge supporter of our fundraisers throughout the year and sponsored our annual golf tournament in April. They are a great community partner.”
For more information, visit NCFCYouth.com.