Common ABYSA and HFC Player Pathways 
Which pathway is right for you? The chart below shows 3 of our most common player development pathways:
The Recreation Pathway, Development Pathway, and Competitive Pathway.
Fall 2025 - Spring 2026 Season Year Age Group Chart
How ABYSA and HFC Divisions are created and named based on US Soccer's nationwide guidelines:
[Year at the end of the Spring season] - [Year the player was born] = [ABYSA/HFC Age Group]
For Example : 2026 - 2016 = 10U (Under 10 age group)
Player
Birth Year | Age Group | ABYSA
Recreation | HFC
Pre-Academy | HFC
Academy | HFC
Intermediate | HFC
Competitive |
| 2022 | 4U | x | | | | |
| 2021 | 5U | x | | | | |
| 2020 | 6U | x | | | | |
| 2019 | 7U | x | x | | | |
| 2018 | 8U | x | x | x | | |
| 2017 | 9U | x | x | x | | |
| 2016 | 10U | x | x | x |
| x |
| 2015 | 11U | x | | x |
| x |
| 2014 | 12U | x | | x |
| x |
| 2013 | 13U | x | | | x | x |
| 2012 | 14U | x | | | x | x |
| 2011 | 15U | x | | | x | x |
| 2010 | 16U | x | | |
| x |
| 2009 | 17U | x | | |
| x |
| 2008 | 18U | x | | |
| x |
| 2007 | 19U | x | | |
| x |
Programs at a Glance
| Program |
Developmental
Level | Developmental Focus | Coaching Staff |
Time Commitment
(Per Week)
| Season Length |
ABYSA Recreation
(4U-19U)
| For players new to soccer or players who just want to play for fun | Fun and enjoyment are the focus of the recreation program! Players will be exposed to a club-wide curriculum to help build basic technical and tactical ideas within a team setting.
| 100% Volunteer coaches | 1 practice (7U-19U)
1 in-house game | Fall and/or Spring
(Can play one or both seasons) |
HFC Pre-Academy
(7U-10U) | For players interested in experiencing a more structured and developmentally focused environment in addition to their Recreation team | An introduction to the Academy training structure and environment with an additional focus on basic technical and tactical ideas from experienced coaches | Paid | 1 practice
(In addition to a Recreation team) | Fall and/or Spring
(Can play one or both seasons) |
HFC Academy
(8U-10U)
HFC Academy (11U/12U) | For players interested in focused skill development to prepare for the demands of higher levels of play. | A training (practice) structure and curriculum designed to help players accelerate growth using developmentally appropriate skills and tactical development to prepare for higher levels of play.
| Paid | 2 practices
1 in-house game
1-2 festival events | Fall & Spring |
HFC Intermediate
(13U-15U) | For players who want a more developmentally challenging and competitive environment, but aren't ready for the HFC Competitive program | Follow a training structure and curriculum designed to help players accelerate development for higher levels of play | Paid | 2 practices
1 in-house game | Fall (Girls) &
Spring (Boys) |
HFC Competitive
(11U-19U) | For players interested in being a part of the most developmentally challenging and competitive environment available |
Help players reach the highest level of development and competition that they are capable of through the best available coaching staff using appropriate technical, tactical, and physical developmental focuses in each age group
| Paid
| 3 practices
1 game*
1-3 tournaments
*games can be in Asheville OR out of town. At least 1 per weekend | Fall & Spring |
ABYSA Recreation
The Recreation Player Pathway is designed/ideal for players looking for a fun and non-competitive environment. The Recreation Player Pathway utilizes 100 % volunteer coaching and is available for the 4U-19U age groups.
Click Here for more ABYSA Recreation Program Information
HFC Pre-Academy
This program provides a platform to introduce 7U-10U ABYSA Recreation players to additional training experience consistent with ABYSA's/HFC's next level of play (HFC Academy and HFC Competitive).
Click Here for more HFC Pre-Academy Program Information
HFC Academy
The Academy program is designed to help 9U - 12U players improve their technical soccer skills which they will need to play at a higher level, as well as their love for the game. Our dedicated coaching staff follows a curriculum that provides players with high quality instruction and age appropriate activities which creates a fun learning environment. The majority of the players that enter the Academy during their 9U and 10U years move on to play competitive (classic) soccer once they graduate the Academy program. Those who aren't quite ready for the competitive level will enter our 11U and 12U academy program.
Click here for more 9U/10U Academy Program Information
Click here for more 11/12U Academy Program Information
HFC Intermediate
The goal of the HFC Intermediate Program is to provide players an opportunity to develop the individual skills in both the technical and tactical aspects of the game. This program is for those who aren't quite ready yet for Classic soccer.
Click Here for more HFC Intermediate Program Information
HFC Competitive
The Competitive Player Pathway is designed/ideal for the player looking to play in the most challenging environment offered within the organization. Players on this pathway are typically looking to play at the higher levels as they get older (high school, college, professional). The Competitive level utilizes the best coaching resources within WNC and is available for the 10U-19U age groups.
Click here for more HFC Competitive Program Information
Become a Referee
Click here for more information about becoming a referee