There is a good chance that you are on this page because you are exploring options for your child. Some of you may be new to club soccer and may be wondering if VFC is right for your child and family. Vikings officially runs tryouts in Late April/Early May for Fall/Spring of the following year. We want you to know what you are getting into before registering for tryouts.
Vikings FC is a club soccer program with a FULL YEAR commitment (Fall and Spring season). Our teams play typically in NCSA (Northern Counties Soccer Association) and some of our teams play in EDP ("Elite" Development Program; formally known as Eastern Development Program); Fall is Late Aug-Mid Nov and Spring is Mid March-Mid June
VFC offers programs for players of nearly all levels! So, please do not be intimidated. We have teams labeled with colors Blue, White, Gold, Silver in that order of competitiveness. You may not think your child is strong enough, but allow us to be the judge by trying out.
Nearly all VFC players train in the summer and winter with their teammates in supplemental training programs offered by partner organization
All games are coached by our dedicated soccer trainers (each team also has a volunteer parent manager)
Teams typically train 2 times per week for 90 mins (a number of teams opt to train 3 times at an extra cost)
VFC teams are overseen by a volunteer board and paid directors of coaching
DO NOT REGISTER FOR VIKINGS FC if you are looking for the word "elite", "academy", or other fluff marketing. We do have strong teams and some teams play upwards of 4-5 tournaments a year.
DO NOT REGISTER FOR VIKINGS FC if you are not willing to participate in the fall AND spring (there is NO refund offered and any family that chooses to leave VFC for another team playing in our league will have a 3 game suspension imposed by the league)
DO NOT REGISTER FOR VIKINGS FC if your primary view on soccer is win at all costs. This program is focused on development first and wins/losses/draws second!
While all of our teams at Vikings FC have great trainers, and work hard week in and out, we are attempting to push our Blue teams into more competitive leagues. Our top teams are continually in the top 100 in NJ at their age groups.
Currently, the following teams are playing in the EDP League.
U9 (2016) Boys Blue (EDP Futures) - will be playing U10 EDP Futures Fall 2025/Spring 2026
U11 (2014) Boys BLue (EDP League) - will be playing U12 EDP League Fall 2025/Spring 2026
U12 (2013) Boys Blue (EDP League) - will be playing U13 EDP League Fall 2025/Spring 2026
U10 (2015) Girls Blue (EDP Futures) - will be playing U11 EDP League Fall 2025/Spring 2026
U11 (2014) Girls Blue (EDP League) - will be playing U12 EDP League Fall 2025/Spring 2026
In addition, the following teams are slated to play in EDP in Fall 2025.
U10 (2015) Boys Blue (Currently playing UP at U11 in NCSA) - will be playing U11EDP League Fall 2025/Spring2026
U8 (2017) Boys Blue (Currently playing UP at U9 in NCSA) - will be playing U9 EDP Futures Fall 2025/Spring 2026
U8 (2017) Girls Blue (Currently playing U8 Girls NCSA) - planned to play U9 EDP Futures Fall 2025/Spring 2026
Also, the following teams are actively seeking top talent:
U13 (2012) Boys Blue (Currently playing U13 A-Flight in NCSA) - will be playing U14 NCSA A Flight Fall 2025/Spring 2026
U13 (2012) Girls Blue (Currently playing U13 B-Flight in NCSA) - will be playing U14 NCSA A or B Flgith Fall 2025/Spring 2026
Players on Blue teams are expected to sign up for all supplemental training including winter training, semi-private training, summer clinics, and camps. While optional, the club wants our players to be "soccer-first" players if they are committing to our most competitive groups.
VFC has rolling admissions, but is actively seeking players for the following birthyears:
All birthyears, it does NOT hurt to register for tryouts so we can explore including your child on teams, even as reserve or rotational players. We try to be as inclusive as possible.
V is for Vikings and for Victory! Way to go U9s! They earned 3rd Place in their tournament bracket!
SCENARIO II: CWTP is NOT a member of the Vikings, but had contact with members
If the CWTP is not a member of the Vikings Futbol Club, but has had contact with individuals involved with a certain Vikings team, just those team members who had direct contact with the CWTP will be asked to follow quarantine or testing protocols as defined in Scenario 1. The Vikings will do their best to contact, trace and inform families.
EXAMPLE: Rob (CWTP) is NOT a member of the Vikings Futbol Club, but does share a classroom with 3 players on the Vikings U11 Boys Team coached by Coach Mike (all 3 boys are Primary Contacts). Rob tests positive for Covid-19 on October 1st. The 3 Primary Contacts who share a class with Rob will have to follow the quarantine and testing protocol which is to optionally get a Covid 19 test 5-7 days after last contact or wait out a full 10 day quarantine period. If a negative result comes back, the child may return after only 7 days.
SCENARIO I: Child Who Tested Positive (CWTP) is a member of the Vikings
If the CWTP is a member of the Vikings Futbol Club, immediate contact tracing will begin to find out if the child was around his or her Vikings team within 48 hours of symptoms and/or positive test results. If so, all players on that team, as well as the trainer and manager will be asked to self-quarantine and not attend any Vikings activities for 10 days with no negative test or 7 days with a negative test taken within 5-7 days of last contact with the CWTP. If the test comes back negative, the player must still finish the 7 days pause. The Primary Contacts will also be advised to please contact their child’s other community organizations. The trainer of the team may not train any secondary Vikings team during the quarantine period and should notify their primary employer as well. Any player who did not attend any activity within a week of the positive test, may resume activities and train with a different team if available and interested (approval of Directors needed). The Child Who Tested Positive may not return to play until after a mandatory 10 day period from the onset of their first symptom appeared or if they did not have symptoms, from the date of their positive test.
EXAMPLE: Jane (CWTP) is a member of the Vikings U12 Girls Team coached by Coach Michelle. Jane tests positive for Covid-19 on October 1st. Jane’s parents immediately notify the Viking Futbol Club. It turns out that Jane was at practice on September 30th, within 48 hours of the positive test result. The entire Vikings U12 Girls Team is contacted immediately (all now Primary Contacts) and should follow the Vikings FC return to play protocol (7 days with a negative test or 10 days without a test and no symptoms) and notify other community activities they are involved in. The League is notified as well as all opponents that fall within that window of the 48 hours. It turned out that a child, Marisa, was not at soccer during the last week due to an injury. The last time Marisa was with the team was over 48 hours before the last team event. Marisa is now going to go train with the other U12 girls team during the quarantine period.
V3.0; updated 3/24/21
As of 3/24/21, this is Version 2.0 of the Vikings Covid-19 Return to Play Protocol.
We want you to know that your children will not be put at undue risk this season. So, rest assured that if we are running a practice or games, we are doing so based on informed decisions with whatever information we have.
Below are a number of scenarios that cover much of what the club has faced and may face this season. Note that contact with a Child Who Tested Positive can occur at school, rec sports, Vikings, or any community organization and we are counting on parents to help us with contact tracing to keep all safe.
If a child tests positive and we are notified, this child is known as the “Child who tested Positive” (CWTP). Anyone that child came in contact within 48 hours of symptoms, whether wearing PPE or not, is known as a Primary Contact.
Fully Vaccinated Individuals
Fully vaccinated individuals who not need to quarantine or be tested within 90 days of their last dose of the vaccine.
Recovered Covid Positive Individuals
An individual who has recovered from being ill with Covid 19 does not need to quarantine if exposed within 90 days of their previous illness.
Return to Play for Primary Contacts to Individuals Who Have Tested Positive
If a player had direct contact with an individual who has tested positive, they must take a pause from Vikings activities for 10 days with no negative test or 7 days with a negative test taken within 5-7 days of last contact with the Individual Who Has Tested Positive. If the test comes back negative, the player must still finish the 7 days pause.
Return to Play for Individuals Who Have Tested Positive for Covid 19
The Child Who Tested Positive may not return to play until after a mandatory 10 day period from the onset of their first symptom appeared or if they did not have symptoms, from the date of their positive test.
Travel Advisory
New Jersey residents returning home and travelers visiting New Jersey do not need to quarantine, but should follow travel guidance from the CDC, the NJ Department of Health, and all local health and safety protocols of their travel destination.
As we return to play this spring, Vikings FC will strive to provide a safe environment for players. Please see the details below to know what to expect.
NOTE: 8 hours before every session a Health Questionnaire will become live on TEAMSNAP. Parents must fill this out EVERY day there is a training session or game OR your child will not be permitted to participate in the session.
Players: -Wash your hands before attending the soccer session. -All players must wear a face mask as they exit their vehicle and walk to the soccer field and put the mask back on at the end as they exit the soccer field back to their vehicle. Masks will NOT be required during the activity. -There is no spitting (either saliva or water) allowed on the field at any time. Do not spray water on other players. -Come fully dressed and ready to play onto the field; there is no changing outfits/footwear on the field. -If you have to cough/sneeze, do so in your elbow. -No shaking hands, high fives, fist bump, hugs, etc… -No sharing of water, snacks or equipment. -Minimize contact with other players and teams before, during and after each session. -Players should put mask back on when off the field -Players should NOT huddle during injury time
Parents: -Recommended to send a small bottle of hand sanitizer -Parents must wear a face mask as per CDC/NJ Dept. of Health at all times. -Coaches will wear a face mask as per CDC/NJ Dept. of Health at all times -Only one coach may attend to an injured player. Must wear a mask. -No parents, except for carded managers, will be permitted on the field during training sessions; players will be DROPPED OFF only
During Training Sessions/Games: -Temperature Scans -Players must remain in masks from their cars until they place their bags in their physically distanced locations -Coaches and managers will remain in masks while coaching -Players will be required to wear a mask when using the bathroom facilities
COVID-19 Specifics: -No player, family member, or coach can attend if they are feeling sick or have been exposed to someone who is sick. -If a player or coach is sick, they must self-quarantine as required by CDC/NJ Dept of Health. -If a player or coach has been exposed to someone who is symptomatic, or the player themself has symptoms, they should notify Vikings FC immediately including the director by emailing [email protected]. -Coaches to wear a face mask as per CDC/NJ Dept. of Health at all times -Only one coach may attend to an injured player. Must wear a mask.
Tryouts time is upon us, despite this very challenging situation. We at Vikings FC sincerely wish your family and friends safety and health during the stay-at-home measures implemented by our state.
Whether you are a veteran of Vikings FC or an individual interested in exploring our soccer programs, tryouts are always an exciting and often stressful time. Each year, the level of competition gets tougher and tougher.
Many people are probably wondering how soccer clubs are going to be running tryouts. Speaking optimistically, we hope to run them in person, either in late May or early June if restrictions are lifted. We will of course update all registrants as information becomes available.
During these uncertain times, one thing is for sure; the Vikings FC leadership is devoted to maintaining the excellence in our organization so that players will continue to have a great place to learn about the "world's game" and develop a true passion for the sport. Never have we had such a great and energized training staff, supported by an amazing Board of Directors. Young parent leaders have stepped up to take the reigns from individuals who have seen our club grow in leaps and bounds in terms of quality.
It is very hard to put into words how appreciative we all are of our parent leaders who work tirelessly for our community soccer programs. We are always hear to answer questions so please do not hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
Chris Eftychiou Executive Director of Coaching Vikings Futbol Club
