Our Club


Our Commitment

Rainbow Soccer was formed in 1971, with the goal of providing the game to players of all ages and abilities. We are a a 501-3C non-profit organization. Almost all our staff are volunteers. Volunteer today!  The participant’s costs are calculated to allow Rainbow to break even financially. Every season we provide many full and partial playing scholarships to players of all ages.

Our History

We began playing on what are called the Rainbow Soccer fields in 1972, making us the oldest Soccer organization in Chapel Hill. Since that time we have played at the “Rainbow Fields”, land in a Resource Conservation District floodplain.

Since 1972 we have provided both recreational and light competition soccer. This was done to better serve the needs of our players and families. In 2005 our developmental program changed its name from Sunbow Challenge to Chapel Hill United. Soon after Triangle United was formed as a split from Chapel Hill United.

Previously Rainbow participated through the Durham Strikers organization. As part of becoming officially affiliated with the NCYSA, Rainbow is working to follow NCYSA guidelines, which require smaller sided games for younger players. This results in increased demands for field space and coaches for the same number of players.

For decades we have benefited from the help of exceptional students of UNC.

The Rainbow Family

Over ninety percent of our players and their families are Chapel Hill residents. Many of the parents on the sidelines today played Rainbow when they were young. This season we have approximately fifteen hundred players from at least XX different schools. This translates into approximately two hundred and twenty teams.

Rainbow soccer was formed in 1971,with a commitment to welcome all players, and all abilities.

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A game for all ages

Wisely and Wiser

What are the different leagues within Rainbow?

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Rainbow Soccer Organization

Rainbow Soccer LTD is a 501-3C non-profit organization. It is run by an administrative staff headed by Vicky Brawley, Director of Rainbow. It is overseen by the Rainbow Board of Directors (currently Vicky Brawley, Jorge Izeuierdo, Brad Hemminger, Pam Hemminger, Mike Strand). The coaches for all leagues (except youth competitive) are volunteers, including many UNC students. The referees for the non-competitive leagues are also volunteers. The competitive leagues (Challenge and Sunset) require paid, certified referees. The participant’s costs are calculated to allow Rainbow to break even financially. We have recently raised the rates, and added a field renovation fee ($5) to each player’s fees, in order to help fund the renovation and repair of the Rainbow fields. The annual expense accountings are available on our web site ( spring 2003, spring 2004)….

Read more about our Mission

We began playing on what are called the Rainbow Soccer fields in 1972. Rainbow does not own the “Rainbow fields” land. The Rainbow fields were originally lent to Rainbow in a gentleman’s agreement with William Muirhead, the original owner and developer of the Glen Lennox apartments. They were acquired by the Kenan Hamner investment group, who continued to loan the land to Rainbow. Development was considered at that time, but the fields (except for the grassy knoll) are all in Resource Conservation District floodplain and could not be developed. For a tax deductible donation the land was gifted to UNC. Rainbow has leased the fields from UNC on a yearly basis since UNC took ownership in 1985.

How old is Rainbow Soccer?

Rainbow soccer was formed in 1971, and began playing on what are called the Rainbow Soccer fields in 1972.

Rainbow does not own the “Rainbow fields” land.  The Rainbow fields were originally lent to Rainbow in a gentleman’s agreement with William Muirhead, the original owner and developer of the Glen Lennox apartments.

They were acquired by the Kenan Hamner investment group, who continued to loan the land to Rainbow.  Development was considered at that time, but the fields (except for the grassy knoll) are all in Resource Conservation District floodplain and could not be developed.

For a tax deductible donation the land was gifted to UNC.  Rainbow has leased the fields from UNC on a yearly basis since UNC took ownership in 1985.  

  • When started:
  • By whom
  • For what purpose?

While Rainbow Soccer is the oldest soccer organization in the Chapel Hill area, it was only in 2003 that Rainbow officially joined the North Carolina Youth Soccer Association (NCYSA), and through it the national organization, in it’s own capacity.

First steps into Challenge Soccer

2005-12-14

Sunbow Challenge has changed its name to Chapel Hill United.

The formation of Chapel Hill United, and Triangle United

  • When was competitive added?
  • Why support both recreational and competitive?
    • All inclusive
    • Support local organization serving needs of all players and families.

Read more about our history

Over 90% of our players and their families are Chapel Hill residents. Many of the parents on the sidelines played Rainbow when they were young. This season we have xyz players from xyz different schools. This translates into approximately 150 teams.

Previously Rainbow participated through the Durham Strikers organization. As part of becoming officially affiliated with the NCYSA, Rainbow is working to follow NCYSA guidelines, which require smaller sided games for younger players. This results in increased demands for field space and coaches for the same number of players.

One of our biggest needs is for field space, especially quality field space. Soccer is meant to be played on short, dense grass, which makes the ball play regular and consistent, and cushions the players when running, or falling to the ground. There are simply not enough quality fields available to meet our needs. To provide the necessary field space we are renovating Rainbow fields, renting public schedulable fields, and lobbying to get more public fields in Chapel Hill. The most important factor for us is the number of fields we are able to rent, and maintaining the quality of these fields. This has resulted in our working with the Chapel Hill and Carrboro Parks and Recreation Departments to rent public fields, and make efforts to maintain the quality of the fields. When we rent fields there are usually two factors involved: quality and location. For our competitive leagues (CH United and Sunset) the field quality must be high. For practice fields for the recreational leagues, location is often as important as quality. We try to offer locations around town so that families have the option of practicing near home.

Rainbow operational description

  • Staff description
  • Board of Directors description
  • What are the recent field changes?
  • Who owns the fields?
  • Who is on the board?
  • How is the board elected?
  • What do I do if I want to be on the board?
  • Rainbow finances
    • Where do my fees go?
    • What do similar programs cost?  (TFC, Strikers, CASL, YMCA)
    • Financial review has been done
    • All leagues have budgets and will not run deficits
    • Why did we do field renovations if we are losing money?
      • Budget will be balanced in the future
      • Improved parking, and safety

Read more about Rainbow Soccer today

  • What are the recent league changes?
  • Small sided
  • Improved playing conditions
  • More practice fields (closer to home)
  • More choices (rec, semi-competitive, competitive)
  • Where we hope to be in 2-3 years.

Read more about our vision for the future

Has the logo always been like it is today?

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How many players currently play Rainbow and Chapel Hill United?

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How many schools are represented at the club?

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