About Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer
Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club (CRYSC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. CRYSC is Colorado’s premier youth soccer experience and the only club in Colorado to offer opportunities from three-years-old to professional, from beginner to Major League Soccer with year-round youth soccer programs of all levels serving 10,000 children across the Front Range seasonally.
CRYSC provides top-quality leagues, camps, and tournaments that serve beginner- to elite-players locally, regionally, and nationally. As a Top 100 Youth Soccer Club in the U.S. and a consistent winner of Colorado’s Top Youth Soccer Club by Colorado Parent Magazine, CRYSC values holistic child development as ‘The Heart Behind the Crest’ and cultivating remarkable coaches. The club prides itself on supporting players and coaches through a number of other programs such as the nation’s largest college placement program, an integrated relationship with UCHealth Sports Medicine, an online digital education platform that serves players, coaches, and parents, and a fully integrated sports psychology program.
With satellite leagues, camps, and tournaments across Colorado, we are confident we can provide your child a fun and enriching home to play soccer.
Rapids Youth Highlights
TOCA x CRYSC
CRYSC x TOCA Form Partnership to Develop the Next Generation of Athletes. Posted by: Rapids Youth Soccer Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club Embraces TOCA Football Technology to Develop the Next…
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TOCA x CRYSC
CRYSC x TOCA Form Partnership to Develop the Next Generation of Athletes. Posted by: Rapids Youth Soccer Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club Embraces TOCA Football Technology to Develop the Next…
TOCA x CRYSC
CRYSC x TOCA Form Partnership to Develop the Next Generation of Athletes.
Posted by: Rapids Youth Soccer
Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club Embraces TOCA Football Technology to Develop the Next Generation of Players
COSTA MESA, Calif., August 18, 2022 – TOCA Football, Inc. (TOCA), the world’s first technology-enabled soccer experience company, announced today a player development partnership with the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club (CRYSC) in the Central Region. TOCA was founded by two-time U.S. World Cup soccer player Eddie Lewis and recently welcomed global superstar Harry Kane as a key investor.
TOCA’s proprietary technology features high volume repetition focusing on movement, technical, and decision-making abilities. Through this partnership, TOCA will serve over 150 male and female youth players every week.
“We are thrilled to be combining TOCA’s proprietary technology with the prestige of the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club,” said Eddie Lewis. “As a former World Cup player, I’ve seen how important technical and decision-making abilities are to a player’s growth. Combined with the Colorado Rapid’s Youth Soccer Club’s outstanding player development, TOCA’s technology will become an integral part of how young players level up and perform.”
“We are excited to be partnering with TOCA to usher in the new era of technology-enabled training and continue to raise the level of development initiatives for our athletes,” said Sebastian Giraldo, Ph.D. , Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club’s Central Technical Director. “TOCA’s proprietary soccer training technologies are game-changing for player development and we look forward to the impact on Club organization.”
TOCA’s Board is led by Erik Anderson, former Executive Chairman and CEO of Topgolf; Soccer Hall of Famer Abby Wambach; TOCA Founder and former U.S. Men’s National Team player Eddie Lewis; and former NFL marketing executive Julie Haddon. TOCA is the largest operator of indoor soccer centers in North America and has plans to be in every major city in the U.S. in the coming years.
ABOUT TOCA FOOTBALL, INC
TOCA Football, Inc. is a technology-enabled soccer and entertainment experience company, founded in 2016 by two-time U.S. World Cup and former MLS and EPL midfielder Eddie Lewis. TOCA has two main brands in its portfolio. TOCA Soccer operates 21 training centers across North America, using proprietary technology to transform the soccer experience and build communities that inspire everybody to play. TOCA Social is the world’s first entertainment and dining experience built around immersive soccer-based games, with venues at The O2 London and opening venues in Dallas and Birmingham, UK in 2023.
ABOUT COLORADO RAPIDS YOUTH SOCCER CLUB (CRYSC)
CRYSC serves approximately 13,000 youth players ages three through 19, beginner to elite, in year-round leagues, camps, and tournaments across the Front Range of Colorado. As a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CRYSC has been named a top 15 youth soccer club in the U.S. by Soccerwire, the top youth soccer club in Colorado by Colorado Parent Magazine, as well as a Project Play Champion by The Aspen Institute. CRYSC’s mission is to provide an environment where young soccer players from diverse backgrounds are guided and inspired to reach their full potential, both on and off the field. For more information on CRYSC, visit www.rapidsyouthsoccer.org/ or contact us at [email protected]
More Details On The Partnership | FAQ
Who will this affect?
Currently, this will only affect the 9U/10U Select boys and girls within the Rapids Central region. These teams are currently training one day a week with TOCA through November.
Why is this happening and what is the rationale?
Quality repetition and form are best developed in the eight to 12-year-old age range. We are evaluating a program by which we may increase or continue this type of training to better develop a foundation for players long-term.
What are the benefits to the rest of the organization?
There are no direct benefits currently to the rest of the organization, but as we evaluate the effectiveness of this type of training, we may roll out a larger program for more Rapids players across Colorado.
When will this begin?
The test period is August to November of 2022, at which time we will evaluate a broader and more expansive partnership with TOCA.
Will registration fees change?
Currently, the idea is that any fees associated with TOCA training are taken on by Rapids Youth Soccer.
Who can I contact with additional questions?
You can reach out to Stephanie Reddick, Central Regional Manager, for direct questions related to current operations with TOCA. [email protected]
If you’d like to learn more about the potential for a broader partnership between TOCA and Rapids, you can reach out to Technical Director, Donald Gillies. [email protected]
Sports Author & Speaker John O’Sullivan Visits Colorado For A Week Of Coaches Education
#RapidsEducate Presents: Sports Author & Speaker, John O’Sullivan Posted by: Brian Sheehan l Director of Let Us Play ASK YOUR QUESTIONS HERECLICK HERE TO ASK YOUR QUESTIONS Loading… JOHN O’SULLIVAN’S…
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Sports Author & Speaker John O’Sullivan Visits Colorado For A Week Of Coaches Education
#RapidsEducate Presents: Sports Author & Speaker, John O’Sullivan Posted by: Brian Sheehan l Director of Let Us Play ASK YOUR QUESTIONS HERECLICK HERE TO ASK YOUR QUESTIONS Loading… JOHN O’SULLIVAN’S…
Sports Author & Speaker John O’Sullivan Visits Colorado For A Week Of Coaches Education
#RapidsEducate Presents: Sports Author & Speaker, John O’Sullivan
Posted by: Brian Sheehan l Director of Let Us Play
ASK YOUR QUESTIONS HERE
JOHN O’SULLIVAN’S PRESENTATION TO CRYSC COACHES WILL BE LIVESTREAMED FOR PARENTS, PLAYERS, & STAFF ON THIS PAGE, FRIDAY, AUGUST 26 @ 6:00 PM. TUNE-IN ABOVE!
This August, Rapids Youth Soccer is excited to welcome acclaimed author, speaker, and Founder/CEO of the Changing the Game Project, John O’Sullivan to Colorado for a week of coaches education events across the CRYSC regions!
John O’Sullivan will be visiting each of our CRYSC regions to present on important topics like the Club’s Player Development Plan, creating a Let Us Play environment, and progressing your coaches education journey. Every coach at the Club – from Parent Volunteers to Directors of Football – will be attending in-person, in their region, as a vital part of our coaches education curriculum and preparation for the new season.
Rapids Youth Soccer players, parents, and staff are invited to tune in to John’s presentation on August 26 starting at 6:00 PM through the embedded livestream on this page and learn alongside our coaches from home! Don’t miss this awesome opportunity to engage with the Club on a deeper level and better understand the education we provide our coaches.
Who is John O’Sullivan?
Philosophy: John O’Sullivan built his career creating player-centered environments to better work with players and their families on sport-specific development. He is an expert on the teacher-student, mentor-mentee relationship and has shared his knowledge with professional and youth soccer clubs across the nation. A core question at the center of John’s work with coaches is, “What does it feel like for your players to play for you?” With a focus on reflection and empathy for the players experience, his message benefits anyone in a mentorship role on and off the field. His philosophies parallel and reinforce the CRYSC Let Us Play campaign that seeks to educate parents and coaches on ways to foster an enjoyable, learning environment through positivity and picking the right time for “teaching moments”. We are proud to have John as a national advocate of Let Us Play and look forward to advancing the campaign together this August!
Achievements: John O’Sullivan is the author of two #1 bestselling books on youth athletics; “Changing the Game: The Parents Guide to Raising Happy, High Performing Athletes, and Giving Youth Sports Back to our Kids” and “Every Moment Matters: How the World’s Best Coaches Inspire Their Athletes and Build Championship Teams”. John’s work has been featured by CNN, Outside Magazine, ESPN, NBC Sports, and other media entities. He is an internationally known speaker for coaches, parents, and youth sports organizations, and has spoken for TEDx, the US Olympic Committee, US Soccer, USA Wrestling, USA Swimming, Ireland Rugby, Australian Rugby League, and at numerous other events throughout the US, Canada, Asia, Australia, and Europe.
History with CRYSC: John O’Sullivan is an exemplary friend and partner of the Club. Last year, John joined the CRYSC Big Wave Jamboree as the featured speaker and presented to attending coaches on the development and identity of players 9-12 years old. You can check out that presentation in full by clicking here! Prior to that visit, he joined CRYSC in 2019 to lend us his expertise and speak to coaches, parents, and staff at The Eddy. It has been a pleasure working closely with John for the past three years on education events, podcasts, team-building retreats, the Let Us Play campaign, and more!
What Impact Can John’s Message Have?
From declining referee participation to players dropping out of the sport entirely, there are a broad range of issues that can be traced back to poor experiences and a resulting diminished passion for the game. When a participant at any level of soccer feels isolated, vulnerable to verbal or emotional abuse, disconnected from their mentors and peers, or even just stops having fun, there has been a failure in the systems that are supposed to provide support. It is the job of coaches, parents, staff, etc… to make the fields a place for positivity and learning, while fueling a lifelong passion for soccer.
The experiences we have are shared and shape the way that we view the game. John’s question “What does it feel like for your players to play for you?” distills that idea for coaches, but can be put back on all of us – what is your impact on the game?
Below are a few stats and facts that highlight why we need more empathy in the game and the value of John’s philosophy. While reading them, ask yourself how many could be changed by one true connection with a coach, one moment of support over conflict on the sideline, one more friend on the team, etc…?
- There are over 3 million 6-17 year old athletes that play for a youth soccer club in the United States learning under the guidance of 11,000 full-time coaches and over 500,000 volunteers and staff. Colorado is home for 75,000+ players and one of the fastest growing nationally.
- Participation in “Team Sport on a Regular Basis” dropped from 41.4% in 2012 to 38.1% in 2018 to 37.8% in 2020, with 2022 data pending release.
- The decline in the 6-12 year age group participation has been more significant than in the 13-17 year age group.
- From 2018 to 2021, an estimated 50,000 high school referees across all sports quit – roughly 20% of the total workforce.
- In a survey of 19,000 referees in 2019, 60% attributed their reason for quitting to verbal abuse, with 39% of participants saying that they’ve experienced issues with parents and 29% saying they’ve experienced issues with coaches.
What is the CRYSC Let Us Play Campaign?
The Rapids Youth Soccer Let Us Play campaign is a Club-wide initiative to create a better sideline culture in Colorado and beyond. The ultimate goal of this campaign is to raise awareness among parents, coaches, and staff of their impact on players and teach them to be proactive in making every experience a positive or “learning” one. We’re all here to have fun so LET US PLAY!
“The sidelines of every youth soccer game are lined with parents and spectators wanting their team to succeed. Fans communicate in many ways, from chanting and cheering to clapping. Too often this enthusiastic exuberance can come with shouting instructions and trying to coach from the stands (joysticking the players). As a club, we are committed to a positive player experience of learning and individual growth of our team members.” – Brian Sheehan, Director of Let Us Play
In all Rapids Zone 1 programming, parents, coaches, and CRYSC staff commit to fostering an environment where players grow in confidence as masters of their own on-the-field decision making. To honor this commitment, all parents, coaches, spectators, and staff are encouraged to take the ‘Let Us Play!’ Pledge during the season.
For any questions on Let Us Play, visit the website or contact us at [email protected].
University of Regis Partnership
CRYSC + Regis University: Elite Training Facility Access Posted by: Rapids Youth Soccer CRYSC Partners with Regis University to Create the Rapids Youth Soccer Elite Performance Center @ Regis University!…
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University of Regis Partnership
CRYSC + Regis University: Elite Training Facility Access Posted by: Rapids Youth Soccer CRYSC Partners with Regis University to Create the Rapids Youth Soccer Elite Performance Center @ Regis University!…
University of Regis Partnership
CRYSC + Regis University: Elite Training Facility Access
Posted by: Rapids Youth Soccer
CRYSC Partners with Regis University to Create the Rapids Youth Soccer Elite Performance Center @ Regis University!
Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club (CRYSC) and Regis University are excited to announce a new partnership that will expand player access to top-of-the-line, local facilities and create a new home for Rapids Elite programming.
Colorado youth soccer players seeking to compete at the highest levels of the game nationally now have access to train and compete at one of Colorado’s best soccer and futsal facilities, the Rapids Youth Soccer Elite Performance Center @ Regis University. CRYSC has engaged in a long-term partnership with Regis University to provide another important step towards building a fully-integrated, nationally recognized Elite program, creating new training and competition opportunities for ECNL Boys and Girls, WPSL players, local and national Futsal leagues, Elite Development Squad (EDS) teams, as well as access to Colorado’s top residential soccer and futsal camps. Regis University facilities are some of the best in the country with pro-level match pitches, synthetic turf fields with state-of-the art floodlights and winter plowing, indoor futsal courts, classrooms and auditoriums, locker rooms, offices, and concessions. It is a privilege to begin offering these collegiate-level resources to CRYSC athletes starting in spring and summer of 2022.
“As an organization that strives to compete at the highest levels in the nation alongside building great experiences and cultures, this partnership with Regis University provides our players and coaches the resources to achieve new heights of success on and off the field,” said Aaron Nagel, Executive Director for the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club.
Establishing Regis University as the home base for Rapids Elite programming will create a convenient central location CRYSC’s Elite practices, competitions, futsal training, education, and much more. This partnership furthers the Club’s vision of connecting youth athletes across the Front Range with the top soccer and futsal training environments in the state.
“We are excited to welcome Rapids Youth Soccer to our campus so the kids and their families can enjoy competing at our new state-of-the-art facilities,” said Cody Teets, Interim President of Regis University. “Having youth, professional, and collegiate athletes all playing here will enhance an already vibrant community in Northwest Denver. Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club is a wonderful addition.”
Regis University has committed to individual scholarships for Rapids Youth Soccer players, up to $100,000 over four years, providing greater access to education for students across Colorado. Regis recognizes that sports participation is often a catalyst for greater academic achievement and college enrollment opportunities. For more information, contact [email protected].
“There are many exciting components to this partnership, but the one I’m most proud of is that Regis and Rapids Youth Soccer will be partnering to offer academic college scholarships – worth up to $100,000 over four years – to qualifying youth participants at the Club when applying to Regis University,” said Tommy Gilhooly, Executive Director, Higher Learning Partners of Regis University. “At Regis University, our top priority is human development (Cura Personalis) ‘the caretaking for the whole person’. In that spirit, it is important that dedicated student-athletes have access to scholarships to attend an institution like Regis University, regardless of what level team they play on at CRYSC.”
The Rapids Youth Soccer Elite Performance Center at Regis University will be located at Regis’s historic Northwest Denver campus on Federal Boulevard between Interstate 70 on the south and Interstate 76 on the north.
Rapids Youth Soccer is proud to call the new Elite Performance Center at Regis University home in 2022 and look forward to watching this partnership grow alongside our athletes. For further Rapids Youth Soccer + Regis University partnership details, check out the full press release and visit Regis.edu through the links below.
Elite Performance Center @ Regis University
The Elite Performance Center will be located at Regis’s historic Northwest Denver campus, conveniently located on Federal Boulevard between Interstate 70 on the south and Interstate 76 on the north, and only minutes from downtown Denver.
Explore the Campus Layout
Two Synthetic Turf Playing Fields with Lights
Two new synthetic turf fields with lights will house the majority of all Elite soccer programming, with plowing capabilities that limit days off. State-of-the-art field lights will showcase the fields and our training and game capabilities, along with stands for spectators, scoreboards, and concessions.
Match Day Pitch
The Match-Day Pitch will provide overflow for programming with one of the best fields in Colorado for training and game-day, with a scoreboard and stands for spectators with plenty of parking.
Futsal Facility
The Berce @ Regis University will be the only futsal-designated facility in Colorado, housing two full-size futsal pitches with futsal-specific lines to develop Colorado’s top futsal talent across the Front Range, with year-round programming and summer and residential futsal camps.
Office Space & Team Classroom Education
On-site offices @ Clarke Hall for our Elite staff provide an overlooking view of the two synthetic turf fields along with classrooms dedicated to player education at our convenience.
Auditoriums
Education is a priority for our players, coaches, and parents. With auditorium access, we look to host on-site player, coach, and parent education.
On-Site Dining and Residential for Camps and Traveling Teams
CRYSC is looking to develop one of the nation’s best residential camp experiences for soccer and futsal at Regis. With access to residential dorms and on-site dining, CRYSC will host Elite-level residential camps alongside Regis University and its staff.
Regis Scholarships
Regis University has committed to individual scholarships for Rapids Youth Soccer Club players for up to $100,000 over four years, providing greater access to an excellent education for students across the Front Range. Regis recognizes that sports participation is often a catalyst for greater academic achievement and college enrollment opportunities. For more info, visit regis.edu/rapidsyouth or contact [email protected].
Fellowships / Internships
As part of Rapids Youth Soccer and Regis University’s commitment to providing academic advancement opportunities for local students, our organizations are working together to create internship and work experiences within Rapids Youth Soccer for Regis students in fields like finance, marketing, leadership, health and wellness, event management, coaching, and more. Students will work alongside Rapids Youth staff to gain real-world experience and help shape the organization for future Rapids Youth players.
More Details On The Partnership | FAQ
Who will this affect?
While we are incredibly excited about the opportunities that this partnership will create for players in Rapids Elite programs, we recognize that some members will be more impacted by the move than others. In particular, families residing in our Castle Rock and South regions who have players that participate in Elite programming will now be asked to travel further than in previous years. This change will be felt in different ways across the Club, but the core goal is to offer our players access to the highest quality Elite experience, environment, and facilities possible.
We are here to work with you to make the transition to our new long-term home at Regis as seamless as possible and ask that you reach out to your Head Coach or Program Director with any questions or concerns.
Why is this happening and what is the rationale?
The Gates Soccer Complex has been a wonderful location for hosting Rapids Elite programming for many years, but also limiting when compared to facilities used by athletes developing at the highest levels of the game not only nationally, but internationally. We have always had ambitions to create a ‘home’ around top-of-the-line facilities in the area and build a more consistent culture of excellence at Rapids Elite.
The facilities at Regis University will allow Elite programs to provide a holistic education for players through the use of classroom areas, indoor futsal fields, and floodlit, plowable, high-quality turf fields. This is the first opportunity for us to offer this level of facility access to our players and the only partnership of its kind in the state.
What are the benefits to the rest of the organization?
The creation of the Elite Performance Center will have benefits that extend beyond Elite programming. Coach Education is a major beneficiary, allowing for use of indoor, outdoor, classroom, and auditorium resources all year round as we seek to build on our strategic objective of being a home for ‘Developing Remarkable Coaches’. New on-campus education events and services will be available to our volunteer coaches, paid coaches, and full-time staff across the Club.
For the South region specifically, the shared access to Gates South between Rapids Elite and Competitive programming has always been a difficult balancing act. Time is needed for the fields to regenerate to a high standard and the packed schedule caused by the two programs hasn’t allowed our fields to be as healthy as they can. The redevelopment of Gates South will allow for improved surface quality, a reinvigorated facility, and more room to meet the growing demand for field space.
The Elite Performance Center will be open to CRYSC athletes and members outside Elite programming when available. With the potential use of on-site housing, the option of creating a fantastic residential youth camp experience for our members is another exciting opportunity we are hoping to explore.
When will this begin?
The first group to officially move into the Elite Performance Center will be our Elite Development Squads and 2009 ECNL Girls in early April. After an initial ‘settling-in’ of the services, we will look to transfer the remaining active squads by mid-May, with a specific date to follow.
Futsal squads will move into the Berce in June/July, once the renovations are complete.
Will registration fees change?
We have worked on this partnership opportunity with Regis University for over eight months now, and the financial investment the Club has made in order to set the program and its players up for success has been significant. Any new fee structure will remain in line with and contribute directly to the quality we will be providing Rapids Elite programs, as well as other Club programs in this area.
Where will the combined office be located?
The Rapids Elite offices will be located in Clarke Hall on the Regis campus, offices #235 and #241A.
How will parking work?
Regis University is equally excited to bring life and energy to its campus by welcoming Rapids families from across Colorado. The University has worked with us to ensure that any costs associated with parking on campus will be waived after 4:30 PM on weekdays and throughout the weekend – an expense covered by CRYSC. In order to facilitate this, a special parking permit will be issued to each playing member on their first night of practice at the new facility. Members will be required to display the parking permit while on-site.
Regis University has set aside ‘Lot 6’ on the southeast side of the campus specifically for CRYSC members. This is the car park directly off of Federal Blvd, which can be accessed from Regis Blvd or by turning left after the McDonalds on Federal. Please note that the parking lot for the Regis Bookstore and other University shops is PAID parking and that those lots are not reserved for Rapids families.
Will there be opportunities to learn more?
More information on the Elite Performance Center will be provided by your Program Director in the coming weeks. Check out the CRYSC website for updates on upcoming Elite summer and winter soccer and futsal residential camps.
ECNL Program: More information including a practice schedule, a map of the facility, and instructions on entering the fields themselves will be communicated in the coming weeks.
EDS Program: CRYSC Technical Director, Donald Gillies, will be providing a program update with more context for the upcoming year on Friday, April 1. He will also be able to answer any of your questions on EDS at that time.
Futsal Program: Futsal teams will be communicated with as we get closer to facilities opening.
Who can I contact with additional questions?
ECNL and EDS Boys: Jeb Brovsky at [email protected]
ECNL and EDS Girls: Andrew Kummer at [email protected]
Elite Administration: Jen Metz at [email protected]
Futsal: Aaron Nagel at [email protected]
Do I need to do anything right now?
No. More information will follow in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
