North Tacoma Soccer Club

NORTAC recreational programming

NORTAC Programming follows a participatory model built around fun, safety, and learning by playing the game—especially at younger ages, where team sports and enjoyment come before intense skill drilling. Boys and girls from ages four through nineteen can register without tryouts or cuts; every player who signs up receives a team placement. Fall seasons typically run from September through November with eight to twelve league games near the Tacoma metro area, and spring or winter seasons may be offered when demand supports them. Teams compete through Washington Youth Soccer Association and Pierce County Soccer.

Volunteer coaches—active community members—lead most recreational teams under an experienced technical director and staff coaches who supply weekly lesson plans and mentorship so developmental standards stay consistent. League fees generally run $75 to $175 depending on age. Players supply cleats and shin guards; the club provides uniforms through U11, while U12 and older players purchase their own kits. Schedules scale with age: five- and six-year-olds often train one weekend day for eight weeks, while U8 and above commonly practice one or two evenings per week for ten to twelve weeks plus weekend matches. Coaches give equal playing time, with each athlete guaranteed at least half of every game. Scores and standings are not tracked until U12, following U.S. Soccer Federation guidance for younger age groups.

Sparta Tacoma premier pathway

Sparta Tacoma is the club’s premier, year-round track for players roughly seven through nineteen who want to excel in soccer, accept professional coaching, compete in a more demanding environment, and commit to a longer calendar that includes fall and spring league play, summer tournaments, and State Cup. Teams affiliate with US Club Soccer and the Puget Sound Premier League. Many Sparta rosters compete in top divisions and have earned league titles, Washington Cup trophies, and promotions over recent seasons.

Annual tryouts determine roster placement; coaches evaluate experience, skill, commitment, and attitude, and not every player is selected. Tryout registration carries a $10 fee, and athletes must attend all assigned dates using the school-year age model the club follows. Training usually includes two or three practices per week plus one or two weekend games across twelve months with holiday breaks, and travel increases with age and competitive level—sometimes including out-of-state trips when teams pursue stronger opposition. Seven Sparta coaches hold United Soccer Coaches national licenses, and the staff recently added coaches with U.S. Soccer national credentials. Playing time balances winning and development and is not guaranteed; approaches can vary by team. Annual club fees range from about $900 to $1,750 depending on age and league, payable upfront or across ten monthly installments, with additional team fees possible for extra tournaments and travel.

Fields, geography, and governance

NORTAC does not own fields but coordinates access through Metro Parks Tacoma, Tacoma School District, and the Boys and Girls Club. The club’s southern home-game boundary follows South 19th Street in Tacoma, with Puget Sound waters forming the north, east, and west limits; players themselves do not have to live inside that boundary. The club operates within Pierce County Soccer Association and District III of Washington State Youth Soccer, part of the statewide pathway that connects local play to U.S. Soccer Federation standards. Younger recreational matches often use club-trained referees, while older games draw Northwest Soccer Officials.

Registration, aid, and contact

Fall 2026 NORTAC Programming registration is open, and families are encouraged to register early because spots can be limited. Email registrar@nortac.org with registration questions. The club raises funds year-round so financial aid can reduce annual fees by 25% or 50% for qualifying families—aid does not cover late fees or Sparta uniform costs, and each player needs a separate application every year once invited to a Sparta roster or when recreational registration opens. Aid applications and income documents go to vp_programming@nortac.org. General correspondence mail goes to P.O. Box 7264, Tacoma, WA 98417. Follow @nortacsoccer on Facebook and @nortac_soccer on Instagram for club news.