Challenge Teams Program
Competitive Play with AYSO Philosophy
AYSO offers an alternative to Duke City for accomplished players who want to increase their skills through play with and against more intense competition. The Challenge Teams Program includes teams from U10 through U19 who play in the Duke City Metro Schedule against "club teams" as part of AYSO's own Challenge Football Club.
AYSO players are selected for the teams through tryouts. They practice twice a week like other AYSO teams, but they play against teams in the Duke City Metro League (teams from the Duke City Soccer League, Northwest Rio Grande, and other Club Teams). Challenge teams also play in tournaments in town, throughout New Mexico, and out of state.
The Challenge Teams are also dual Registered with NMYSA (New Mexico Youth Soccer Association) and actually are a "club" (AYSO Challenge Football Club). So, Challenge Teams Coaches and Players have all of the advantages of being in a "club" and being an AYSO Team!
The Challenge Teams Program operates under all the AYSO philosophies.
Everyone Plays
Players who are selected for the team get to play at least half of each game; we don't have "starters" and "benchers."
Balanced Teams
We strive to ensure the teams we field are competitive with the club teams. We won't field a team that does not have a chance of being successful.
Open Registration:
Players are selected for the teams based on objective analysis of their ability by AYSO Advanced Coaches.
Positive Coaching:
Challenge Teams are coached by AYSO Advanced Coaches who adhere to our coaching philosophy.
Good Sportsmanship:
Challenge Teams represent AYSO and practice and play exhibiting the same great sportsmanship you find in the rest of the region.
Player Development:
Challenge Teams support our philosophy of Player Development by giving our most accomplished players a challenging environment in which to continue growing.
If you want to increase your level of play and you are a dedicated player, tryout for a Challenge Team. Challenge teams are the most competitive level of play in the AYSO program. For more information, look at the Details and FAQ tabs, above, or contact the Challenge coach listed for your player's age group on the Teams tab.
Details
Challenge Teams U11-U14
Challenge teams in this age group will play in BOTH the Fall and Spring Seasons. The season will typically run the same time as the normal AYSO schedule. Each team will play at least 8 games each season.
Games will usually be held at the State Farm Soccer Complex in Bernalillo. Please note that parking is $5.00 per day per vehicle. Referees in uniform get in free. Occasionally, games may be held at the Balloon Fiesta Park (west of I-25 between Alameda and San Mateo).
U15 and Above
Challenge teams in this age group will play in ONLY the spring season.
The Duke City Metro League does NOT have any games scheduled in the FALL for this age group – it is ASSUMED that most of the players will be playing for their High School teams – and per the High School rules, High School players can NOT play on any other team and play on their High School Team. Players in this age group that decide NOT to play for their High School (or don’t go to a high school with a soccer team), may elect to play on an AYSO Regular Season U19 team for the FALL (a very nice benefit for AYSO Challenge team players). After the Fall Season (High School or the AYSO U19 Regular Season) is over, the Challenge Teams reform their teams (Challenge Teams may elect to participate in tournaments in November).
The Spring Season will typically run at the same time as the normal AYSO Schedule. Each team will play at least 8 games.
Games may be held at the State Farm Complex (in Bernalillo… please note that parking is $5.00 per day) or at the Balloon Fiesta Park (West of I-25 between Alameda and San Mateo).
Tournaments
Challenge teams may (and are encouraged to) play in tournaments. Locally there are tournaments in August, November, February, and May. However, there are many out-of-town tournaments that run from August through July.
AYSO Challenge Team FAQ
What
Is there an additional AYSO registration fee for the Challenge Teams?
No. To try-out for an AYSO Challenge Team, the player must be registered player with AYSO for the upcoming season.
Will the AYSO philosophy of “Everyone Plays” still be followed, even though we are playing in the Duke City Metro League?
Yes! We are still an AYSO team and will adhere to all AYSO rules and philosophies.
Are the AYSO coaches specially trained?
All Challenge Team Coaches go through a fifteen-hour course that stresses coaching techniques of observation and evaluation, tactical decision-making, and dealing with the more experienced player.
Is this a competitive, intense program?
Very much so – the conditioning, skills and mental demands are much higher than regular season AYSO. Your child must have a good attention span and be able to focus even when tired.
When
How many practices per week will we have?
You will have two practices a week.
How long is each practice?
Practices are up to 2 hours long.
How long is the soccer season for Challenge Teams?
You can expect to play soccer from August thru November and January thru June.
Is there a need for my child to practice at other times besides regular practices?
Absolutely! It is vitally important that they work on ball skills almost every day for 15-20 minutes. Also aerobic conditioning (e.g. running) should be done 2 or 3 times during the week for 20-25 minutes. Stretching should be done every day.
Where
Where will the games be played?
Games will usually be held at the State Farm Soccer Complex in Bernalillo. Please note that parking is $5.00 per day per vehicle. Referees in uniform get in free. Occasionally, games may be held at the Balloon Fiesta Park (west of I-25 between Alameda and San Mateo).
Where will tournament games be played?
This varies by tournament. Some will be played in Bernalillo, others around Albuquerque, and others will out of town in other NM cities or other states. Generally, tournaments run a full weekend so you can expect to have games on Saturday and Sunday.
Fundraising
I heard that there is fundraising involved with Challenge, is this true?
Yes, team will need to raise between $2,000 and $3,000 throughout the year, starting in the summer, so there will be fundraising activities. Fundraising is a commitment for both player and parent. Parents of children on Challenge Teams are expected to be very involved with fundraising activities.
Do we really need to raise that much money?
This depends on how many tournaments you want to participate in and if the team wants extras, like team bags, warm-up suits etc.
Why do we have to raise extra money?
There are fees to play in the Duke City Metro League and fees for tournaments.
What kinds of fundraising activities do the Challenge teams participate in?
Car Washes, Candy selling, AYSO trophy sales, AYSO picture money counting, garage sales, etc.- it is up to the team.
Why can't I, as a parent, just write a check to cover team expenses?
Fundraising activities are good team building exercises. Also, it instills a sense of accomplishment and responsibility in the players. Lastly, not everyone can afford to write a sizeable check.
Call For Challenge Coaches
Applications for the 2011-2012 Due by March 5
Each spring, the Challenge Program puts out a "Call for Coaches". This is the opportunity for new and returning Challenge Team Coaches to declare their intention to coach a Challenge Team. The Challenge Teams Program considers those applications and selects the most qualified candidate(s) in each age group.
If you are interested in coaching in this exciting program, send a letter of self-nomination to the Challenge FC Director of Coaching.
Your letter must contain the following information:
- About you:
- Name
- Mailing address
- Email address
- Phone numbers
- Why do you want to be a Challenge Coach?
- What's your coaching background? At minimum, this should include the following:
- Are you currently a Challenge Coach? Regular Season? ACT?
- How many years have you coached in AYSO and in what capacity?
- What ages and genders have you coached?
- What age group and gender are you hoping to coach?
- Are you affiliated with other athletic organizations? Have you been in the past? (i.e. baseball, basketball, football, NMAA, other soccer organizations)
- What are your goals for your Challenge Team?
- Immediate? (First month)
- Short term? (First year)
- Long term? (2nd year and beyond)
- What will you give back to the core program?
- Are you currently an Advanced Certified Coach? If not, will you commit to attending an Advanced Coaching Class this summer?
We also require 2 letters of recommendation from parents whose children you have coached. (Recommendation letters can not be from a current AYSO Regional Board Member)
All of these items must be received not later than March 5th, 2011.
If you have questions, let the Challenge FC Director of Coaching know.
Teams for 2011-2012 Season
| Girls | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| U11 | Pumas | Steve Nickerson | steve.nickerson@challengefc.org |
| U12 | Avalanche | Howard Funchess | howard.funchess@challengefc.org |
| Eclipse | Eric & Monica Seiler | seiler@challengefc.org | |
| Piranhas | John Lewis | john.lewis@challengefc.org | |
| U13 | Eruption | Will Bonilla | will.bonilla@challengefc.org |
| Revolution | Mark Archuleta | mark.archuleta@challengefc.org | |
| U14 | Chaos | Tom Cuyler | tom.cuyler@challengefc.org |
| U15 | Pressure | Bill Culler | bill.culler@challengefc.org |
| Wildfire | Billie Davis | billie.davis@challengefc.org | |
| U16 | Storm | Paul Schlavin | paul.schlavin@challengefc.org |
| U17-19 | Mystics | John McBrayer | john.mcbrayer@challengefc.org |
| Boys | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| U11 | Phoenix | Lionel Betsch | lionel.betsch@challengefc.org |
| Thunder | Dan Lyons | dan.lyons@challengefc.org | |
| U12 | Renegades | Don "Quatro" Baker | quatro.baker@challengefc.org |
| U13 | WolfPak | Neal Watlington | neal.watlington@challengefc.org |
| Galacticos | Jerry Duran | jerry.duran@challengefc.org | |
| U14 | Blue Mambas | Lionel Betsch | lionel.betsch@challengefc.org |
| Flame | Dan Meigs | dan.meigs@challengefc.org | |
| U16 | Cobras | Tony Gallegos | tony.gallegos@challengefc.org |
| U17-19 | Elite | Bill Kesatie | bill.kesatie@challengefc.org |
Tryouts 2011-2012 Season
Trying Out
Each Player trying out must come prepared with:
- A soccer ball.
- Water.
- Shin guards.
- Soccer cleats.
- A white tee shirt.
- A good attitude.
Tryout Fields
U-11 through U-14 Tryout Schedules
Tryouts for all teams U-11 through U-14 for the 2011-2012 Season will be on three evenings at Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center (on the fields just west of the buildings) at Southern and Elizabeth (South/East of the Costco on Eubank). Note: this is a change from the original plan, which had U14 Girls on Wednesday.
- U11/U12 Boys & Girls Tryouts: Tuesday May 24, 2011.
- U13/U14 Boys & U13 Girls Tryouts: Wednesday May 25, 2011.
- U14 Girls Tryouts: Thursday May 26, 2011.
Sign in from 5:00 to 5:30. Tryouts are from 5:30 to 8:00. Be there promptly at 5:00; anyone not signed in by 5:30 will be ineligible to tryout.
Note, this is a change from previous seasons. We used to have boys tryouts one night and girls on another. This year, we are doing the younger ages on the first night and the older ages on the second.
U-15 through U-19 Tryout Schedules
Tryouts for U15 and above (for both boys and girls) will be determined by the coaches. Please e-mail the coach for information (you can find their information on the "Teams" tab) or check back here for details when the coaches set their tryout times and locations.
- U15 Girls Tryouts: Tryouts for Pressure and Wildfire will be Thursday May 26, 2011. Check-in from 5:00-5:30 and tryouts from 5:30-7:30 at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center. Players interested in trying out for Pressure or Wildfire are encouraged to e-mail the coaches as soon a possible to let them know you are interested.
- Team "Pressure" coach Bill Culler - email bill.culler@challengefc.org
- Team "Wildfire" coach Billie Davis - email billie.davis@challengefc.org
- U16 Girls "Storm" Tryouts: Tuesday May 31, 2011. Check-in from 5:00-5:30 and tryouts from 5:30-7:00 at Jackson Middle School field. (Jackson Middle School is located on Indian School between Eubank and Juan Tabo.) The field is behind the school, so enter along the East Boundary road. For more information contact Coach Paul Schlavin. Note: The tryout date has been changed to Tuesday May 31.
- U16 Boys "Cobras" Tryouts: Thursday May 26, 2011. Check-in from 5:00-5:30 and tryouts from 5:30-7:00 at Grant Middle School field. (Grant Middle School is located on Easterday north of Lomas between Wyoming and Eubank.)For more information contact Coach Tony Gallegos.
- U17-19 Boys "Elite" Tryouts: Thursday May 26, 2011. Check-in from 5:15-5:30 and tryouts from 5:30-7:00 at Madison Middle School field (Comanche and Moon). For more information contact Coach Bill Kesatie.
Additional Tryouts
- U19 Girls "Mystics" Tryouts: Sunday December 11, 2011. Ttryouts starting at 2:00 PM at Manzano Mesa. It could be a bit chilly, so come dressed for the weather. For more information contact Coach John McBrayer .