PGSC: Challenge Info

The NCYSA Challenge Program and the NCYSA Challenge Council were created at the June 1995 Annual General Meeting by a vote of the general membership of the NCYSA. The challenge program is under the direction of the Challenge Council, chaired by the Vice President of Challenge, which is also a voting position on the NCYSA Executive Board. 

The Challenge Council meets quarterly and is made up of representatives from each challenge association that is a current member of the NCYSA. The NCYSA Challenge Council may address issues and rules that relate to Challenge Soccer and the Challenge State Cup only. Any rule or issue that would affect the NCYSA full membership (challenge, classic, & recreation) will be addressed and voted on by the Board of Directors. Challenge Council Representatives are your representatives. If anyone has an issue, rule, or policy they want addressed, they should contact their association’s representative with their input or concern.

By USYS and USSF standards, the NCYSA Challenge program is a competitive level of play, because tryouts are conducted to form teams. Challenge teams travel throughout the state of North Carolina; however, travel is usually limited to a smaller radius than the Classic level. The NCYSA Challenge program allows for players developing beyond the Recreation level to play at a more competitive level with modified travel time to and from games. The Challenge program is available for U10 to U19 age groups. All Challenge Teams must be a member of a currently
registered association that is in good standing with the NCYSA.

Philosophy of Training/Competition

While the NCYSA does not dictate how an association should “run their program”, a concise guideline of what is expected of your association’s players, parents, coaches, spectators, etc. is strongly encouraged. It is also suggested that you establish training and development guidelines.

It is well known that children’s learning abilities are different at different ages, so age-appropriate training is an important step in both the developments of your players, as well as your teams. Young children who “sit the bench” because this is Challenge soccer are not only NOT going to develop, we may lose those children from the sport altogether. Because children develop at different rates, the “bench player” at 11 years old may be the starter at 14, if he/she is given the chance.

All coaches are encouraged to attend coaching schools that are offered by the NCYSA, including FREE youth modules. The duration of courses varies from two days to one week long (youth modules are one day). Call the state office for more information on our coaching schools and youth modules, or visit the Education section.