Tryout Information

Student Participation Information: 

In accordance with WCPSS policy, only 7th and 8th grade students are eligible to try out for school athletic teams. 6th grade students are not permitted to try out for sports; however, they may serve as team managers. The only exception is the dance extracurricular program (under athletics), for which 6th grade students are eligible to try out.

To become a team manager, a student must first contact the team’s head coach. With the coach’s approval, the student must complete the Student Manager Permission Form. This form requires signatures from a parent/guardian and all of the student’s teachers. Once completed, the form will be submitted to the Head Coach and Athletic Director for final approval. The form can be accessed using the link below.

Nighthawk Student Team Manager Form Link

All team managers are required to complete an athletic physical to ensure they are medically cleared to safely support the team and coaching staff during the season.

Additionally, all student-athletes must have a current physical on file. Physicals are valid for 395 days and may carry over into the next school year. Students whose physicals are nearing expiration will be contacted by the Athletic Director.

WCPSS Middle School Athletic Participation Website Link

Student-Athlete Athletic Physical Forms & Paperwork link

Tryout Information:

STEP 1 – Register for Tryouts (STUDENTS)
Students must be logged into their WCPSS Google Account to complete the form. We will not check Dragonfly UNLESS the student completes this first.

2026 Fall Sports Tryout Form – LINK HERE (Must be completed by the student with their WCPSS Account.)

Tryouts start: August 31st, 2026
Deadline to register: August 28th, 2026

2026-2027 Other Tryouts Dates:

• Winter Sports Tryouts: Nov. 16th – 18th, 2026
• Spring Sports Tryouts: Feb. 22nd – 24th, 2027

STEP 2- Update Dragonfly Account (PARENTS)

You must have an updated DragonFly account to try out. Parents, register here: https://www.dragonflymax.com/

What You Will Need?

• Sports physical (completed by a doctor, take a picture, upload)
• Pre-Participation Physical Exam (completed by a doctor, take a picture, upload)
• All other forms are submitted online through DragonFly
• VOUCHER LINK

Tips and Tricks:

✅ Use your child’s high school graduation year – 7th Graders (Class of 2032) and 8th Graders (Class of 2031)
📧 DragonFly does not send alerts — check your account and email often
📩 Email Coach Holderfield (wholderfield@wcpss.net) if you have issues with Dragonfly.

STEP 3- Eligibility Review & “approved to play” sent to student email
Athletic directors review all Dragonfly documents, student’s grades, and student attendance of the previous semester to ensure all eligibility requirements are met. If you are new to Wake County, this process may take longer as we wait to receive records.

🟢If a student is eligible, students will receive a Ticket To Play email from Coach Holderfield the week before tryouts.
🔴If a student is ineligible; student and guardians will be notified via email.

**winter sports: your eligibility will be reviewed in the new year DURING THE SEASON– make sure your fall semester grades and attendance comply with eligibility requirements!

**spring sports: Spring sports eligibility is based on the previous fall semester attendance and grades.

Tryout/Practice Days Map Information:

2026-2027 Other Tryouts Dates:

• Winter Sports Tryouts: Nov. 16th – 18th, 2026
• Spring Sports Tryouts: Feb. 22nd – 24th, 2027

 IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Listen to announcements daily.
• Follow HARMS Athletics on X/Twitter: https://x.com/HARMS_AD
• Follow HARMS Athletics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harms_ad/
• Bookmark our athletics page: https://wakecountyathleticzone.com/herbert-akins-road/
  • **Final Team Selections will be posted under your sport 

 WHAT TO BRING 

• Filled water bottle
• an athletic change of clothes & footwear- make sure you have layers for outdoor weather (if applicable), Indoor gym shoes (if it’s bad weather and we practice indoors), other approved shoes for outdoor sport participation.