North Carolina FC Youth celebrates club’s 50th anniversary in 2024

Raleigh, NC – This year, North Carolina FC Youth celebrates a remarkable milestone – 50 years of fostering soccer talent for youth across all levels and enriching the greater Triangle area community.

Throughout its history, NCFC Youth estimates it has positively impacted the lives of over one million players through local programming, outreach initiatives, and tournament hosting, which provides opportunities for youth from across the globe to be scouted and recruited for the next level of play. The 50th anniversary will be marked by reflections throughout the year and fundraising events to support NCFC Youth’s Financial Aid Fund – ensuring all kids have access to the game now and for the next 50 years.

The anniversary year is already underway, but it will officially kick off at NCFC Youth’s Kick 4 a Cause 4v4 tournament on January 27. Tournament registration is open through January 22. Shortly after, NCFC Youth will unveil a campaign to announce and solicit nominations for players, coaches, teams, and other contributors to be recognized as part of a 50th Anniversary All-Star Commemorative Team. The year will culminate with a fall gala event at the Angus Barn Pavilions on October 23.

What has grown into the largest youth soccer club in North Carolina and the largest youth-to-professional soccer club in the country was started by a group of parents with kids who simply wanted to play soccer. Steve Almasi, Pat Hamilton, Bill Holleman, and Bill Plunkett founded the Capital Area Soccer League (CASL) in 1974, and it became a magnet for other independently run soccer programs in the area.

Most recently, in 2017, Capital Area Soccer League (CASL), Triangle Futbol Club Alliance (TFCA), and North Carolina Football Club (NCFC) entered into an historic collaboration, which rebranded CASL to NCFC Youth. The club now hosts more than 16,000 unique players each year through recreation and competitive programs. The on- and off-field operations are supported by more than 1,700 staff, seasonal coaches, volunteer coaches, and many community partnerships.

Memorable Moments

• 1980: Capital Area Classic Association (CACSA), the competitive soccer league at the time, revamped and took over the local soccer tournament, the Raleigh Shootout, initiating the evolution of the 21-team event into what is now the club’s expansive visitRaleigh.com Showcase Series, which attracts over 1,500 teams globally and more than 1,000 college coaches over four weekends of play.
• 1981: WRAL Soccer Park, made possible with the support of Jim Goodmon and Capitol Broadcasting Company, opens with 14 fields.
• 1987: WRAL Soccer Park owned and operated by CASL expands to 21 fields.
• 1995: The ’77 Spartans girls’ team, coached by Izzy Hernandez, wins the first USYS National Championship for North Carolina and CASL, achieving a historic comeback in the final and later inducted into the NC Soccer National Champions Hall of Fame in 2013. CASL teams would go on to win National Championships in 2003, 2011, 2012, and 2016.
• 1999: Triangle Futbol Club Alliance (TFCA) formed under the leadership of John Rennie, head men’s soccer coach at Duke University (1979-2007).
• 2000: Two of CASL’s founders, Pat Hamilton and Bill Holleman are inducted NC Soccer Hall of Fame.
• 2002: NCFC Youth partnered with SAS Institute and Carolina Courage to open the 10,000-seat SAS Soccer Park (now WakeMed Soccer Park), a major venue for North Carolina Football Club and host site for over 33 ACC and 19 NCAA soccer championships since its opening.
• 2017: CASL’s contributions to Raleigh, its citizens, and its history were forever memorialized with an induction into the Raleigh Hall of Fame.
• 2019: NCFC Youth is one of 20 companies recognized with Triangle Business Journal’s “Corporate Philanthropy Award.”
• 2021: NCFC Youth, in collaboration with the Town of Knightdale, Wake County, and Wake Stone Corporation, opened Wake Stone Athletic Park, a 5-field complex supported by land donation and grants, serving local and tournament needs, with NCFC Youth contributing to its development and maintenance.
• 2023: NCFC Youth is honored by the Greater Raleigh Convention & Vistors Bureau with the John B. Ross Jr. Leadership Award for its significant impact on Wake County’s community and hospitality industry.

“Celebrating 50 years of NCFC Youth is not just about marking a milestone, it’s about honoring the journey of this organization that has supported the development of thousands of youths in our community on and off the field,” said Gary Buete, CEO of NCFC Youth. “This anniversary is a testament to the dedication of everyone involved, from our founding members and devoted staff over the years, to the youth who step on our fields, to our community partners, to our coaches past and present, and everyone in between.”

NCFC Youth reaffirms its dedication to being a community partner for the next 50 years, consistently distributing over $400,000 annually in financial aid to ensure inclusive play opportunities. The club’s Kick 4 a Cause 4v4 tournament, entirely charitable, has raised more than $100,000 for nonprofits aiding youth health, education, and underserved communities. Additionally, outreach initiatives like TOPSoccer and La Liga, and field development in all parts of our community, extend the club’s commitment to broadening access to soccer to populations often underrepresented in youth club soccer.