What is District Competition (AA)
Q: What is it?
A: District Competition teams are formed by coaches and through a draft process, and the players could live in different cities within the league. Also, games may be played between other leagues within Utah County. Not everyone makes a team at this level (although we try if they want to make an effort), and typically the players are more skilled, faster, and more aggressive and play harder than in the Challenger program.
Q: How do I get on a team?
A: Convince your parent to become a coach, contact a coach in your age group and ask to tryout, go to the league draft in mid June.
Q: What is the cost to play on an AA team?
A: NUCS registration fee is $190 per player which includes both fall and spring sessions of our season, League and state fees, and all associated referee fees. Uniforms, bags, warm-ups, equipment, etc are not part of this fee. Each AA Competition team is responsible for those items on their own so count on additional costs for those items.
We strongly encourage the coaches to keep the total mandatory fees below $325. Tournaments, indoor soccer, futsal, etc. could increase that cost.
Q: Who will coach my player and what kind of coaching experience do they have?
A: Typically AA coaches are more than just parents filling in; they are committed to teaching the kid’s soccer, and many of them are licensed coaches who take training courses on coaching. Who your player’s coach ends up being is based on who picks up/drafts your player from try-outs- but ultimately the decision is yours and you should ask questions and feel comfortable with the coach and team. It may be necessary for you to become a coach for your child to play at this level.
Q: Is the time commitment the same for AA as we experienced in Challenger?
A: There are a few more games over a season, and you will usually find that AA players practice more, harder and longer each week. Also, the games are spread out over a larger area, requiring more travel time. Also note that each spring there is a tournament. The typical fall season has 7-8 games and the typical spring season a player will have approx. 7 regular season games and 3-5 tournament games. During the season, in a typical week, a team will have 1 practice, 1 weekday game, and 1 Saturday game.
The location and time etc. of the practice is set by the coach.
Q: What age can you play on a AA team?
A: U9 through U18.
Players born in 2017 are technically to young to play. But because players are allowed to "play-up" one year, a 2017 player can tryout and be on an AA team if they make it.
A: U15-U18
Players born 2010-2007
We have combined "High School" teams for both boys and girls. These teams consist of players that are 15-18 years old.
Q: Will my player see equal playing time with his/her teammates like s/he did in Challenger?
A: Not necessarily, as there is no equal time rule in District Competition. Each coach is different on how they decide playing time and starting role, but typically if your player makes all the practices, works hard and is committed, they will see adequate playing time. Most coaches have to juggle this issue carefully. We do encourage coach's to let each player play at least half the game.
Q: How long do games last at this level of play and what size ball should my player be practicing with?
Q: What is it?
A: District Competition teams are formed by coaches and through a draft process, and the players could live in different cities within the league. Also, games may be played between other leagues within Utah County. Not everyone makes a team at this level (although we try if they want to make an effort), and typically the players are more skilled, faster, and more aggressive and play harder than in the Challenger program.
Q: How do I get on a team?
A: Convince your parent to become a coach, contact a coach in your age group and ask to tryout, go to the league draft in mid June.
Q: What is the cost to play on an AA team?
A: NUCS registration fee is $190 per player which includes both fall and spring sessions of our season, League and state fees, and all associated referee fees. Uniforms, bags, warm-ups, equipment, etc are not part of this fee. Each AA Competition team is responsible for those items on their own so count on additional costs for those items.
We strongly encourage the coaches to keep the total mandatory fees below $325. Tournaments, indoor soccer, futsal, etc. could increase that cost.
Q: Who will coach my player and what kind of coaching experience do they have?
A: Typically AA coaches are more than just parents filling in; they are committed to teaching the kid’s soccer, and many of them are licensed coaches who take training courses on coaching. Who your player’s coach ends up being is based on who picks up/drafts your player from try-outs- but ultimately the decision is yours and you should ask questions and feel comfortable with the coach and team. It may be necessary for you to become a coach for your child to play at this level.
Q: Is the time commitment the same for AA as we experienced in Challenger?
A: There are a few more games over a season, and you will usually find that AA players practice more, harder and longer each week. Also, the games are spread out over a larger area, requiring more travel time. Also note that each spring there is a tournament. The typical fall season has 7-8 games and the typical spring season a player will have approx. 7 regular season games and 3-5 tournament games. During the season, in a typical week, a team will have 1 practice, 1 weekday game, and 1 Saturday game.
The location and time etc. of the practice is set by the coach.
Q: What age can you play on a AA team?
A: U9 through U18.
Players born in 2017 are technically to young to play. But because players are allowed to "play-up" one year, a 2017 player can tryout and be on an AA team if they make it.
A: U15-U18
Players born 2010-2007
We have combined "High School" teams for both boys and girls. These teams consist of players that are 15-18 years old.
Q: Will my player see equal playing time with his/her teammates like s/he did in Challenger?
A: Not necessarily, as there is no equal time rule in District Competition. Each coach is different on how they decide playing time and starting role, but typically if your player makes all the practices, works hard and is committed, they will see adequate playing time. Most coaches have to juggle this issue carefully. We do encourage coach's to let each player play at least half the game.
Q: How long do games last at this level of play and what size ball should my player be practicing with?
For the Fall 2024 / Spring 2025 Season
Birth Year |
Age Group |
2016 |
U9 |
2015 |
U10 |
2014 |
U11 |
2013 |
U12 |
2012 |
U13 |
2011 |
U14 |
2010 - 2007 |
High School Group |
Age Group |
Time |
Ball Size |
Players |
U9-U10 |
25 Minute Halves |
#4 |
play 7v7 (roster about 9 to 12) |
U11-U12 |
30 Minute Halves |
#4 |
play 9v9 (roster about 11- 15) |
U13-U14 |
35 Minute Halves |
#5 |
play 11v11 (roster 14 -18) |
High School |
40 Minute Halves |
#5 |
play 11v11 (roster 14 -18) |
Q: How does the draft for AA/District Competition work?
A: Each age group is run through a series of drills, while coaches who need additional players OR who are starting a team, watch and evaluate the players. At the end of the try-out for each age group, a random drawing is performed by the coaches for draft order, and a draft style process is used for the coaches to select the players. Realize that some coach’s may need only a few players while other may need a whole team. Coach's are instructed to contact the players whom they want within 3 days. If your child comes to tryouts, we will continue to try and place them on a team through the summer. However if you are not contacted within a week please register for the Challenger program. If we find a team for you later in the summer, your monies will be transferred from one program to the other.
Q: If my player is going to attend the AA tryouts, should I register him/her for Challenger soccer also, just in case my player doesn't make a team?
A: Typically the best course of action if your player is trying out for AA is to wait to register for Recreation soccer until after AA Competition draft. If your player does not make it onto a Competition team be sure and go to the league website and register for challenger before the June 1 deadline.
Q: Do I need to register my child for tryouts?
A: Yes, absolutely. It is REQUIRED. If you don't we don't know how to get hold of you to tell you if you made a team. Please go HERE to register for tryouts.
Q: When and where is the draft for the AA program?
Go HERE
Q: If my player attends the draft, will they make a team for sure?
A: No - Coaches attending the try-outs only pick as many players as they need to fill in their team. We place as many kids as possible and have had occasion where we have had enough kids left over to form a complete team. At that point a parent has to take it upon themselves to be the coach and form that team.
Q: My child is already on a AA team, should s(he) go to tryouts?
A: Please, No. If they go to tryouts they can be picked up by another team, and this causes problems. Only attend tryouts if you are looking for a team- if you are already on a team, confirm with your coach that he/she is coaching, and that you are on the team, and stay home and wait for the Coach to send you registration information.
I want to coach an AA team, what do I do?
Q: I want to start a new AA team or I Coach a Challenger team and we are going to switch to AA, what do I do?
Please fill out this form to let us know your intent to coach
There are several different ways you can get additional players:
Have your team set up by the end of June. More information can be found HERE. You will get all the current information on how to register your team and what is needed to register your team. Each player must upload a headshot when they register and they must submit a birth certificate/passport to the League Registrar to be uploaded into their profile.
Club Teams
We have multiple club teams. Several are among the best in the state.
Tryouts for club teams are held by the teams individually
We will post additional information on those teams soon.
A: Each age group is run through a series of drills, while coaches who need additional players OR who are starting a team, watch and evaluate the players. At the end of the try-out for each age group, a random drawing is performed by the coaches for draft order, and a draft style process is used for the coaches to select the players. Realize that some coach’s may need only a few players while other may need a whole team. Coach's are instructed to contact the players whom they want within 3 days. If your child comes to tryouts, we will continue to try and place them on a team through the summer. However if you are not contacted within a week please register for the Challenger program. If we find a team for you later in the summer, your monies will be transferred from one program to the other.
Q: If my player is going to attend the AA tryouts, should I register him/her for Challenger soccer also, just in case my player doesn't make a team?
A: Typically the best course of action if your player is trying out for AA is to wait to register for Recreation soccer until after AA Competition draft. If your player does not make it onto a Competition team be sure and go to the league website and register for challenger before the June 1 deadline.
Q: Do I need to register my child for tryouts?
A: Yes, absolutely. It is REQUIRED. If you don't we don't know how to get hold of you to tell you if you made a team. Please go HERE to register for tryouts.
Q: When and where is the draft for the AA program?
Go HERE
Q: If my player attends the draft, will they make a team for sure?
A: No - Coaches attending the try-outs only pick as many players as they need to fill in their team. We place as many kids as possible and have had occasion where we have had enough kids left over to form a complete team. At that point a parent has to take it upon themselves to be the coach and form that team.
Q: My child is already on a AA team, should s(he) go to tryouts?
A: Please, No. If they go to tryouts they can be picked up by another team, and this causes problems. Only attend tryouts if you are looking for a team- if you are already on a team, confirm with your coach that he/she is coaching, and that you are on the team, and stay home and wait for the Coach to send you registration information.
I want to coach an AA team, what do I do?
Q: I want to start a new AA team or I Coach a Challenger team and we are going to switch to AA, what do I do?
Please fill out this form to let us know your intent to coach
There are several different ways you can get additional players:
- Make sure you commit to your players and parents what your plan is. Remind your players NOT to go to the tryouts. You may need more players
- Talk to the players on your team and ask if they know friends or players at school.
- Attend some challenger games, and talk to the parents of players you think would work well on your team.
- Register as a coach, and attend tryouts in mid May
Have your team set up by the end of June. More information can be found HERE. You will get all the current information on how to register your team and what is needed to register your team. Each player must upload a headshot when they register and they must submit a birth certificate/passport to the League Registrar to be uploaded into their profile.
Club Teams
We have multiple club teams. Several are among the best in the state.
Tryouts for club teams are held by the teams individually
We will post additional information on those teams soon.