Founded in 1987 in the Houston area by Jim Huston and Bob Lyons as an all-girls competitive club, Challenge Soccer Club is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that added a boys program, Challenge United, in 2019. Operating out of Burroughs Park in Tomball and other North Houston locations, the club trains players ages 4-18 from recreational to ECNL levels and fields the #1 U13 girls team in TX on PitchRank. According to club philosophy, player development prioritizes the growth and development of players over winning alone by striving to do what is in the best interest of the individual player.
WHY FAMILIES CHOOSE US
Why families choose this club
National tournament pedigree
The club reports reaching the National Championships on 14 occasions and earning 7 State Champions in 2007 alone.
Collegiate scholarship opportunities
More than 1200 graduating seniors have received collegiate scholarship opportunities through their affiliation with the program.
Prominent recruiting showcase
Challenge founded the Texas Shootout Invitational, which serves as a major recruiting event attracting 200+ college coaches.
Experienced coaching staff
The organization maintains more than 20 licensed professional coaches, including several trainers with collegiate coaching backgrounds.
PROGRAMS
Programs
The club serves players across tiers including Recreational (U5-U10), Youth Academy (U8-U10), Select (U11-U19), Pre-ECNL (U9-U12), and ECNL (U13-U19) at locations such as Tomball/The Woodlands, Aggieland, Cypress, East, and Kingwood. Primary training locations include Burroughs Park, Lindsay/Lyons Park, and Deer Ridge Park-Kingwood. Seasonal programming includes summer camps covering skills, goalkeeping, striker training, and strength & conditioning.
Primary training locations: Burroughs Park, Lindsay/Lyons Park, Deer Ridge Park-Kingwood
TUITION
Cost to play
A Financial Assistance Program is available for families experiencing hardship once the initial Club Dues registration payment is made. Under the financial assistance terms, uniform expenses are not covered by FAP, and participating families must volunteer a 4-hour minimum at club events. Families can also take advantage of club fundraising options like an annual golf tournament and poinsettia sales. For younger recreational players, registration fees are listed at $285 per season, which includes a uniform.
The club employs more than 20 licensed coaches with USSF A, B, C, D, and E License credentials and backgrounds in NCAA collegiate coaching.
Longtime executive leadership
Executive Director Pat O'Toole, a USSF A License coach with the club since 1989, previously served as ECNL Texas PDP Director.
ECNL program directors
ECNL Director Stuart Self has held his role since 2013 with a USSF C License and US Club Soccer id2 staff experience, while Chris Maravalli holds a USSF A License and Level 3 Goalkeeping credential.
Collegiate academy leaders
Youth Academy Director Frankie Espinoza brings experience from Texas Southern University, while Cypress Academy Director Rena Richardson holds a USSF B License and previously served as Division 1 head coach at Tulsa and Louisiana-Monroe.
Director continuity and alumni
Challenge East/Kingwood Youth Academy Director Jacob Santos has been with the club since 2009, while General Manager Ashley Kelley brings alumni ties from Texas A&M and Challenge '78 alongside operations experience at UCLA Athletics and adidas America.
Pat O'Toole
Executive Director
USSF A License holder with Challenge since 1989; South Texas and Region 3 ODP staff; former ECNL Texas PDP Director.
Stuart Self
ECNL Director
USSF C License; Challenge ECNL Director since 2013; US Club Soccer id2 and ECNL National Camp staff.
Chris Maravalli
ECNL Assistant Director/Director of Goalkeeping
USSF A License and Level 3 Goalkeeping; with Challenge since 2011; former NCAA Div. 1/3 assistant coach.
Frankie Espinoza
Youth Academy Director, Pre-ECNL Coach, WPSL Challenge Red Devil Assistant Coach
USSF C License; former Texas Southern University Women's Soccer Assistant Coach.
Rena Richardson
Challenge Cypress Academy Director
USSF B License; former NCAA Division 1 head coach at Tulsa and Louisiana-Monroe; with Challenge since 2007.
Jacob Santos
Challenge East/Kingwood Youth Academy Director
USSF C License; with Challenge Soccer Club since 2009.
Ashley Kelley
General Manager
Played for Texas A&M and Challenge '78; former adidas America sports marketing rep and UCLA Athletics operations director.
PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy
The club states it focuses on 'the growth and development of our players and teams by always trying to do what is in the best interest of the individual player first,' emphasizing top-flight instruction, discipline, self-esteem, and good sportsmanship over winning alone.
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