Please reach us at soccer@northernmichiganfc.com if you have a question or would like information not otherwise readily found on this site. We are here to help and will get back to you ASAP!
The differences are many, but one major differentiator separates NMFC and informs everything else we do.
NMFC is a merit-based program. We encourage individual players to reach their maximum potential by placing them in an environment commensurate with their development. This means more skilled players are able to play up on older rosters and/or enjoy more playing time on gamedays, and conversely those players not yet ready for higher competition are placed in more appropriate learning environments. For our youngest players (those born 2014-2017), all participants are enrolled in our NMFC Developmental League. This league is comprised solely of fellow NMFC members with evenly balanced rosters. NMFC then also selects a merit-based “premier” roster from this base of players to also participate in travel games and tournaments.
For our players born 2004-2013, teams are formed based on development and preparedness for competitive play. In the event we have enough players in an age range to form multiple teams, rosters are split as “Gold” and “Silver.” Our Gold roster will be comprised of our more developed players and engage in higher levels of competition. Our Silver rosters will face more appropriate competition for their development. Players get the same training regardless of roster placement. Gamedays may vary for players, but we ensure all players get the same opportunities for training and improvement. NMFC provides equality in opportunity and a meritocracy in outcome. In all instances, NMFC will always provide playing opportunities for any player committed to developing his or her skills. We will not cut players, but instead will redirect them to the level of competition most appropriate for them. Players will always have the ability to earn their way up to higher levels of competition as merited by their development and performance on the field.
NMFC is proud to announce the Pearson Athletic Complex at Boyne Mountain as our home facility! This stunning new facility is equipped and ready to host high-level training and competition. We also have a great working relationship with Petoskey Public Schools and additional training and playing solutions via their facilities in 2022/2023 and beyond. As our team rosters are finalized, we will be able offer more specifics on individual team training locations.
Petoskey Field House will continue to be a cold weather solution for NMFC training! In addition to the Northern Michigan Elite (NME) training all NMFC players are automatically signed up for, NMFC will provide additional team-specific training and play opportunities during the off-season at Petoskey Field House!
Registering for NMFC enrolls you in our Fall 2022 & Spring 2023 outdoor seasons, the late fall and early spring NME semesters, and both Winter 2023 NME semesters. Additionally, NMFC is the only club in Northern Michigan with team access to Petoskey Field House, and your membership includes access to team training throughout the off-season. When you sign up for NMFC, you will receive unparalleled opportunities to develop as a Northern Michigan athlete.
Membership in NMFC also includes discounted access to summer camps, 3v3 tournaments, and other soccer programming made available through Petoskey Field House, NME, and other exclusive soccer affiliates of NMFC.
NMFC is in the business of promoting more soccer, not less, whenever possible. We encourage players to take advantage of any camps, clinics, drop-ins, or other soccer opportunities that present themselves. However, when it comes to club participation, state rules require players to register with one club for the 2022/2023 seasons. As such, in signing up for NMFC, you are choosing our programming as your primary source of competitive play. We are very confident you will find NMFC the right fit for your young athlete. We also offer a satisfaction guarantee – if you wish to transfer to another soccer club in the future, we will facilitate your move. We are comfortable offering this guarantee because we are so confident that NMFC will meet if not exceed your expectations!
The easiest way to differentiate NME & NMFC is to think of preparing a meal at home. NME is like the grocery store where you acquire your ingredients. NMFC is the home where you cook the ingredients into a meal, and then enjoy the fruits of your labor!
NME is a technical training program. It is designed to help players develop their soccer skills – dribbling, passing, receiving, shooting, defending, and basic concepts of formation and team movement.
NMFC is where a player applies those skills to the actual game and reaps the benefit of the NME training. NME functions much as a weight room, track, or other supplementary training tool to prepare a player to compete. But the actual competing – the payoff for all that hard work – should come in the club soccer space. NMFC is specifically designed to be the best, most competitive club soccer program in our region, and ultimately amongst the best in the state! Players who have put the work in at NME are uniquely positioned to transition into this competitive format and enjoy the benefits of training when so many peers have not been putting in similar work.
Another important difference is that NME is open to members of all clubs in Northern Michigan. Any player who wants to get better in the off-season has the opportunity to take advantage of NME curriculum. NMFC programming works with the same team(s) consistently, while NME has different enrollment each semester.
NME makes a player better. NMFC will help prove it by putting them on the field in a position to compete at a high level.
Yes.
As mentioned above, NME is open to all players regardless of club affiliation. NME will remain independent of NMFC with its Field House First Touch, Junior Elite, and Elite Training programs. For players who simply want this off-season technical work, they can continue to enroll in NME programming without participating in NMFC. The exception to this structure is the fact all NMFC players are automatically enrolled in all NME semesters. Thus, it is possible NME sessions could max out from NMFC player participation, leaving no room for outside registration. The safest way to ensure full NME participation is to become an NMFC member, but it is not required.
Registration officially opens on June 12 and closes June 15. During that period, players will be able to register online and make their first installment payment. Late registration requests may be entertained at our discretion, but roster positions are not guaranteed for late sign-ups.
In the interim, if you would like to express interest or receive more information on NMFC, simply email us at soccer@northernmichiganfc.com. We are eager to help!
Absolutely. We will never hold a player in our organization against his or her will. If a player determines NMFC is not the right fit and wishes to join another soccer club or program, we will take all necessary steps to ensure a smooth transition for that player. Again, we are confident enough in the quality that NMFC will provide that we guarantee member satisfaction!
We will NEVER prevent a player from playing on the basis of economics. If affordability is a problem, we offer a variety of solutions. Whether that be a modified payment plan or access to scholarship funds, we will work with you in full confidence to find a workable solution.
As long as you and your player are committed to the spirit of NMFC, we want you here and will help make happen!
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