The Wilmington Hammerheads Youth Soccer club is anxiously waiting for when it will be safe to get back on the fields, but when it is, the club has built a unique summer program that will get current WHYFC players back playing the game they love while also opening its doors to players throughout the coastal region who would like get playing again, be evaluated by the coaching staff, and get a glimpse into what the Wilmington Hammerheads Youth Soccer Club is all about.  

‘Summer 7’s’ is a 7-week program that will provide 2 game nights per week for each player involved.  Games for U11 and above will be played in the 7 vs. 7 format allowing for more fields to be built and more options regarding team builds and diversity of games throughout the program.  Games for U10 and below will be built out of the current WHYFC team formats for these age groups.  Game nights and schedules that will be announced 2 weeks prior, will be built based on a Monday - Thursday schedule.  Summer 7s will not occur on the weekends.

For current and existing members of WHYFC, the Summer 7’s serves as an opportunity to get back on the field with coaches and teammates and begin consistently playing again.  Set to begin on Monday, June 1st, the program is built to provide 7 weeks of 2x a week games throughout June and July.  Summer 7’s is also part of a the new Club Renewal Program that WHYFC is introducing in conjunction with Summer 7s.  The Club Renewal Program will allow WHYFC players to sign up and re-commit to playing Hammerheads Soccer for the 2020-21 season.  This commitment ensures players will be back in the club for the 2020-21 season.  2020-21 Teams will be announced on June 26th.  Player performances throughout the abbreviated 2019-20 season as well as an individual’s play during Summer 7s will all be used for team placement.

“This has been a tough time for all of us.  It is far bigger than soccer, but many of us realize how much we love the game, love being on the fields playing or watching our children play, and we want to get back to this as soon as possible.  We also owe it to our membership to get this summer program going and get our players back playing again.  They have supported and worked with us through these challenging times, and we intend to do right by them,” said Executive Director, Carson Porter.

The Summer 7s will also serve as the evaluation tool and platform for players who are interested in joining the club in the fall, 2020.  Players interested will sign up for the New Player Summer 7’s evaluation period.  From there, these players will be included in the 1st period of the Summer 7’s, which lasts 4 weeks in June.  Following this trial period at the end of June, WHYFC will be announcing teams.  If the new player is offered a spot on a WHYFC team and accepts, he/she will continue Summer 7’s in July.  

“The truth is that a two day tryout has never been something that I love and completely endorse,” said Porter.  “It has been necessary for a long time based on the circumstances that we are normally in, but now we have an opportunity to open our doors, let players and parents see what we are all about, at no cost, at no commitment, and for longer than 2 crazy tryout nights.  This has originated because of the COVID pandemic, but I hope Summer 7’s and the evaluation process within this is something that we can continue moving forward.”

To Register for Summer 7s please click on the below link that leads to our registration platform and question/contact information:
https://www.wilmingtonhammerheadsyouth.com/page/show/3124032-register

*Please note that any player currently playing for a non-WHYFC team that has participated in the 2019-20 NCYSA Classic League must speak directly to our staff so their participation in Summer 7s is compliant with NCYSA tryout rules and guidelines.  Wilmington Hammerheads is the only NCYSA member club in Wilmington.  

*Full details of Return To Play action plan, that also includes additional details regarding Summer 7s can be found by clicking HERE.*