How are Tryouts structured?
We will have two different phases of tryouts; OPEN CLASSIC tryouts, INVITE ONLY ECNL tryouts.
Each tryout will consist of two designated evenings. The two sessions will last 90 minutes and will allow HFC Coaching directors and staff to evaluate boys in many different ways. Our Tryouts typically will look like so:
U10 - Night (1) 4v4 & 7v7, Night (2) Training session & 7v7
U11-U13 - Night (1) 4v4 & 7v7, Night (2) 9v9
U14-U19 - Night (1) 7v7 & 9v9, Night (2) 11v11
Why have you separated Classic & ECNL tryouts?
We have decided to implement a new format for our Boys Tryout series for the upcoming 2025-26 season to truly allow us to deliver a more intensive level of evaluation for players at all levels. By splitting the tryouts for Classic/ECNL, it simply enables us to limit the number of players attending each tryout whilst allowing us the benefit of more eyes on less players per each tryout evening.
The tryouts will take place across different evenings to allow for players the potential to progress from a Classic tryout to the ECNL tryout.
If I attend the Classic tryout, can I then be invited to the ECNL tryout?
Players attending the Classic tryout who are aiming for a placement within the ECNL tryout are still able to earn an invite to the ECNL tryout. If a player is identified as being a potential ECNL /ECNL RL level player across the two Classic tryout evenings they will be invited to attend the ECNL tryout at the end of May.
Receiving an invite to attend the ECNL tryout, does not guarantee placement in the ECNL team.
If I attend the ECNL tryout, am I guaranteed an ECNL / ECNL RL placement?
Players are not guaranteed a placement within the ECNL / ECNL RL level just for attending the tryout. Although the tryout is invite only, only a select amount of roster spots will be available across both the ECNL and the ECNL RL teams. If a player is deemed not ready for placement within the ECNL RL team, they would likely be placed within our next level team, which would be our highest level classic team in that age group (NCYSA).
What if I tryout for the Competitive Program and am not placed in a team?
Player evaluations will be forwarded to the HFC Academy Program for 11U/12U OR HFC Intermediate Program for 13U - 15U. Players will then be contacted by the directors of those programs and may be asked to attend an Academy Evaluation OR HFC Intermediate tryout following the conclusion of Competitive tryouts. Some players will be offered positions in those programs based upon their performance in Competitive Program tryouts; however, participation in the Competitive Program tryouts does not guarantee a player a position in either the HFC Academy Program or HFC Intermediate Program.
When will I be notified?
Following the final tryout date, coaches will decide which players will be offered positions on which teams. Our staff meet internally following the second night of tryouts and make decisions in reference to what we witnessed across both evenings. Team invites will be sent within 24 hours of completion of the tryout unless otherwise notified by the HFC Boys Competitive Directors of Coaching. Depending on player acceptances, team invites could be sent up to 7 days after the last tryout in their age group.
How long do I have before I need to accept an offered position? What if I am uncertain?
In many age groups we have more players trying out than we have roster spots to offer. We ask that a player/family accept or decline their team invite within 48 hours by using the online link. This allows us to quickly communicate with players/families who have been waitlisted. If a position is not accepted within 48 hours, it may be offered to another player. If you plan to accept your team invite BUT there is a reason you are unable to accept within the 48 hour window, please email BOTH HFC Boys Competitive Directors of Coaching letting them know the reason.
What if I can't attend all the days of tryouts?
If players are not able to attend all days of tryouts, coaches will have limited time to evaluate them for a position. If coaches feel that further evaluation is required before making a decision, players may be invited back for another tryout or even asked to train with a team for a couple of sessions prior to deciding if a roster position will be offered.
How are teams in the older boys (15U - 19U) age groups selected?
In the U15-U19 age groups for the boys only the ECNL & ECNL RL teams are active in the fall season. Most players in these age groups are trying out in May for teams that will not begin their team activities until at least December. We do this tryout in order to better prepare (coaching assignments, practice space, etc.) for the following spring by having a good idea of what teams will form.
We believe that development will occur over the course of the 5 months between the May tryout and the end of the high school season in late October/early November. It is important that players are given the best opportunity to be placed commensurate to their ability on a HFC team. When we reconvene in November we re-evaluate all of our players who have accepted their team invites in May, along with any players who wish to be evaluated again or for the first time at our November Supplemental Tryout.
If a player accepts their team invite from the May tryout they are GUARANTEED a spot on the HFC team they have been offered a team invite to join for the following spring season. If a player declines their team invite from the May tryout and attends the November tryout there is no guarantee that player will be placed on the same team OR IN THE AGE GROUP AT ALL. Team invites that are offered after the May tryouts can be altered in the November Supplemental Tryout. We understand that development varies for every single player, therefore, another evaluation in November will dictate final team placements for the Spring season. It is also true that no movement across teams may happen depending on how we feel the age group has developed over the last 5 months since the May tryout.