HIGH POINT, N.C (February 27, 2024) – Carolina Core FC and Piedmont Triad Football Club jointly announce their partnership, transitioning Piedmont Triad Football Club (PTFC) into Carolina Core FC Youth (CCFC Youth). Beginning in the fall of the 2024 season, all PTFC soccer players will compete as ‘CCFC Youth’ while wearing identical uniforms as the CCFC professional players.
Over 2,000 athletes participate in PTFC’s programs for kids between the U4 and U19 age groups, including boys and girls at recreational and competitive levels. PTFC has a strong history that has grown out of partnerships between multiple communities in the Triad. Specifically in High Point, Piedmont Soccer Alliance, formerly High Point Stars, and in Kernersville with Kernersville Soccer Association who jointly founded PTFC in 2005. These organizations have worked together to provide youth in the Triad and surrounding areas with the opportunity to play soccer at all levels.
After many years of overseeing youth soccer programs in the Triad, David Upchurch will serve as the Executive Director of CCFC Youth. “I’m extremely excited for the opportunities this partnership presents for our current players and families. Aligning with Carolina Core FC creates a clear developmental pathway from our grassroots programs to our competitive youth programs, all the way to the professional level,” noted David Upchurch.
“Carolina Core FC’s vision and drive to enhance the player experience for boys and girls of all ages and performance levels are cutting-edge. At the forefront of this project, High Point native, U.S. Soccer Federation Hall of Famer, and CCFC Chief Sporting Officer, Eddie Pope, is a catalyst for this partnership taking place in his hometown. Having established his roots here, Eddie’s experience and perspective have proven to be paramount for this project. It’s an honor to blend philosophies and training methods to create an unrivaled soccer experience in the Core of North Carolina,” said Upchurch.
The launch of CCFC Youth provides comprehensive benefits to all members of the new Carolina Core FC Youth community.
“I grew up playing for the High Point Stars, which is the current-day PTFC; and at that time, there was no professional player pathway,” said Eddie Pope. “Through this partnership, CCFC Youth players will now have the opportunity to pursue a career in the professional ranks or have the opportunity to play at the college level while also acquiring an education,” asserted Pope.
The most dynamic pathway would be for an elite boy’s player to transition up from CCFC Youth into CCFC’s MLS NEXT full scholarship teams and then into CCFC’s MLS NEXT Pro squad. Entering CCFC’s MLS NEXT academy is open to all players throughout the Core. In addition, CCFC Youth is working to expand elite level opportunities for girls’ players in the future.
"From a youth player's perspective, making it to the professional level can feel like an unrealistic goal, just a dream, because it feels out of reach. Bringing MLS NEXT Pro to the Carolina Core helps make the dream a reality, and partnering with this amazing youth club gives young soccer players a real pathway to the pros because they touch, see, and feel it; it's no longer just a dream. They are CCFC!” said CCFC Principal Investor Megan Oglesby.
“This partnership is born from our organizations’ shared cultural values and represents an important step in elevating youth soccer in the region, aligning with CCFC's development mission, and growing the game in the Carolina Core and beyond,” remarked Oglesby.
CCFC Youth will continue to support youth soccer in the area through further expansion of community programs. For more information contact CCFC Youth Executive Director David Upchurch at david.upchurch@carolinacorefc.com
For more information about CCFC Programs:
- CCFC Youth www.piedmonttriadfc.org
- CCFC MLS NEXT www.carolinacorefc.com/academy
- CCFC MLS NEXT Pro www.carolinacorefc.com
CCFC Youth FAQs
Q: What is Carolina Core FC?
A: Founded in 2022, Carolina Core FC is an independent professional men’s soccer club that will begin play in MLS NEXT Pro in 2024. The club’s local owners are dedicated to community development through its on-field and off-field activities. Carolina Core FC has diligently worked behind the scenes to build together its experienced executive staff, including High Point Native, Eddie Pope as the Chief Sporting Officer. Eddie is a former U.S. Men’s National Team, MLS legend and USSF Hall of Famer. #CCFC will play its home matches in High Point, N.C. at Truist Point, the $44 million stadium located in the revitalized downtown social district. Supporters can join the club by securing a season seat and ordering Carolina Core FC merchandise at www.carolinacorefc.com.
Q: What programs will fall under CCFC Youth?
A: CCFC Youth will offer girls and boys youth soccer programs: CCFC Youth Recreation (U4-U18), CCFC Youth Junior Academy (U7-U10), CCFC Youth Classic (U11-U19)
Q: What is the difference between the CCFC Youth Junior Academy program and CCFC MLS NEXT Academy teams?
A: The CCFC Youth Junior Academy falls under the CCFC Youth programming for girls and boys (U7-U10). CCFC Youth Junior Academy is the first level of competitive soccer. This program is for those who desire to develop as a player, be surrounded by quality players and coaches, and compete against other clubs within the state.
The CCFC Academy full scholarship teams play in the MLS NEXT league. 2024 will be the inaugural season for these teams, starting with U13 and U14.
Q: Will additional elite level league play be explored?
A: Elite-level programming is being considered for girls and boys at the highest league level available. These teams will replicate the game model of professional teams.
Q: Where will CCFC Youth teams train?
A: All competitive CCFC Youth teams (Youth Junior Academy and Classic) will continue to hold training sessions and play home matches at Phillips Park Soccer Complex in High Point and Ivey Redmon Sports Complex in Kernersville.
The CCFC Youth Recreation program practice and game sites will remain the same (High Point Athletic Complex in High Point, Ivey Redmon in Kernersville, as well as other previous practice location sites in Kernersville)
Q: How will CCFC Youth Junior Academy assessments and CCFC Classic (competitive) tryouts for the 2024-2025 season be conducted?
A: CCFC Youth Junior Academy assessments (U7-U10 girls and boys) and the CCFC Youth competitive programs (U11-U19 girls and boys) will run the same as previously. Tryouts for our high school girls age group will be held in March 2024. All other CCFC Youth Classic tryouts and CCFC Youth Junior Academy assessments will be held in May 2024.
Q: What is the assessment fee for CCFC Youth Junior Academy and the tryout fee for CCFC Youth Classic level teams 2024-2025?
A: CCFC Youth Junior Academy Assessment fee for 2024-2025 is $10. The tryout fee for the 2024-2025 competitive Classic level is $45.
Q: What will club fees be under the new partnership?
A: Normal annual fee updates will occur for all youth programs across the club for the 2024-2025 season.
Q: Will there be changes in the current youth club staff?
A: We expect to move into this exciting partnership with the majority of coaches that are currently part of our coaching family. However, we do expect an increase in top-level coaches due to our direct connection with the CCFC professional team and MLS Next Academy staff, to enhance player development and growth.
Q: What uniforms will CCFC Youth players wear?
A: Beginning with the 2024 fall season CCFC Youth players will wear identical jerseys as the professional players. More information will be provided in the months to come.
Q: Will there be additional CCFC Youth training opportunities like summer camps or other clinics?
A: Yes, CCFC Youth will conduct a variety of youth soccer camps and clinics. CCFC Youth will be able to interact with select CCFC professional players and coaches at these sessions.
