NEWSLETTER




WINTER 2024

Dear Members,


We look forward to another fun, competitive year of adult soccer in North Carolina! NCASA experienced record growth in 2023, supporting 15 active leagues, and 14,570 players around the state!

 

As we grow, we aim to improve, and to find ways to best serve the needs of our member leagues. Please reach out with any questions or concerns, and remember to fill out those tournament surveys when they land in your inbox!

 

Thank you for being a part of our adult soccer community! Have a fun, successful spring season!

 

-NCASA Board of Directors



NC Soccer Hall Fame 2024 Inductee, Darius Ejlali


We are incredibly proud to announce that NCASA Executive Director, Darius Ejlali, was inducted into the NC Soccer Hall of Fame on January 27, 2024.


The awards reception, dinner and induction ceremony was held in Piedmont Hall at the Greensboro Coliseum. Bob Buckley (Fox 8 WGHP) served as Master of Ceremonies. Darius was honored for his extraordinary contributions to North Carolina adult soccer, and for the indelible mark he has made on our sport. 

 

Darius has dedicated more than 28 years to the game; successfully leading NCASA as President for nine years, and expertly serving as NCASA Executive Director since 2010. 


Darius served eight years as USASA Region III Deputy Director, and seven years as USASA Region III Director. Darius championed the development of the USASA Region III National Cup, making it one of the most competitive and successful adult amateur tournaments, year after year.

Under his stewardship, NCASA has risen to become nationally known, and widely respected as a leading organization within USASA and U.S. Soccer.


Darius is a champion for all adult soccer players, embodying the phrase, ‘For the Good of the Game.’ We have Darius to thank for the ‘Support NC Soccer’ license plates; and for his tireless efforts as co-founder of the Celebrate the Tatas Tournament of Champions, which, since its inception 10 years ago, has donated over $185,000 for breast cancer screenings.

 

From player, coach, and team manager, to league director, state director, and regional director, Darius’s significant contributions have made a lasting impact on the North Carolina adult soccer community.


Congratulations, Darius! 


Membership has its privileges. As an NCASA member, your Annual Player Pass covers your player registration fee for NCASA tournaments, and all USASA sanctioned tournaments nationwide!


Check out our exciting line-up of area tournaments from March to December!

2024 TOURNAMENTS

March

2-3

Beer City Cup

8v8

Savannah

GA

May

25-26

Carolinas Cup

8v8

Charleston

SC

July

10-14

USASA Soccer Fest

11v11

Greensboro

NC

August

3-4

Queen City Cup

11v11

Charlotte

NC

August

30-Sept 1

Beer City Cup

8v8

Asheville

NC

October

5-6

Celebrate the Tatas

8v8

Huntersville

NC

December

7-8

Carolinas Cup

11v11

Winston-Salem

NC

TOURNAMENT SPOTLIGHT 2023 CAROLINAS CUP WINSTON SALEM 11v11

NCASA wrapped up a busy 2023 tournament schedule with our signature winter event. NCASA hosted 76 teams in 12 divisions at Truist Sports Park in Bermuda Run. The weekend was a huge success!


Congratulations to our all of our winners!


Check out tournament photos provided by Blue Cottage Creative Photography Studio.

Four of our 12 Carolinas Cup 11v11 divisions are regional qualifying divisions. The winners will represent North Carolina at the Region III Championships in Greenville, SC June 6-9, 2024 in hopes of advancing to the USASA National Cup Final Four. 


Congratulations to the teams advancing to the Region III Championship!


Men’s Amateur: Tobacco Rd FC

Women’s Amateur: Wingers FC

Men’s Over 30: Tobacco Rd FC

Men’s Over 40: Sporting TRFC

Each year, NCASA honors outstanding individuals and their contributions to North Carolina adult soccer. This year's award winners were celebrated January 28th, at our state awards luncheon held in partnership with NCYSA and NCSRA. When you see these honorees, please give them a high five, and thank them for their hard work!

Top left: Simon Keir, Bottom Left: Samantha Hope, Top Right: Jason Petersen, Right Middle: Josep (Sep) Domenech, Bottom Right: Felice Bell. Not pictured, Corey Jones.

Crampton-Harrison Award

Felice Bell

In Recognition of Notably Significant Contributions to the Growth and Development of Adult Soccer in North Carolina


John M Bouda Award

(Referee) Corey Jones

In Recognition of an Outstanding Referee who has contributed significantly to the betterment of adult soccer in North Carolina during the past year


Dave Williams Award

Josep Domenech

In Recognition of Contributions to the Well-being of Soccer in North Carolina in Always Going Beyond the Call of Duty


Women’s Coach of the Year

Samantha Hope

For Exemplary Leadership, Commitment and Service to the Game on Behalf of Her Team


Men’s Coach of the Year

Simon Keir

For Exemplary Leadership, Commitment and Service to the Game on Behalf of His Team


Recreation and Parks

Jason Petersen

In Recognition of Significant Contributions towards the Advancement of Adult Soccer and Community Efforts

NCYSA President’s Award and Robinson-Kepner Award

NCASA Treasurer and Executive Committee Member, Bob Kepner, was awarded the NCYSA President’s Award for his decades of service to the youth game in North Carolina.


Upon receiving his award, Bob announced the renaming of the Robert and Margaret Kepner Scholarship. The award will now be called the Robinson-Kepner Award to honor Kathy Robinson for her years of dedication to youth soccer, and her stewardship as Executive Director of NCYSA.

ORDER YOUR NC SOCCER LICENSE PLATE!

 

Support the beautiful game! When you renew a "Support Soccer" license plate, North Carolina Soccer receives $15.00. The funds are used to promote:


  • Youth and Adult Soccer
  • NC Soccer Hall of Fame
  • Referee Development
  • Coaching Education
  • Field Enhancement Projects


Order Your Plate Today!

No More Paper Forms - USASA Insurance Claims Have Gone Digital!

Supplemental insurance covers gaps in your medical coverage, and can help pay for medical costs up to $5,000 that are not covered by your primary policy.


What To Do If You’re Injured.

If you are injured during a sanctioned event, please visit the USASA website to fill out the claim form. Submit the form as soon as possible to get the process started. Contact NCASA with any questions. Stay safe out there!

North Carolina Adult Soccer Association | ncasasoccer.org

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