
Boys Elite Clubs National League (ECNL)
The Boys ECNL is made up of 90 member clubs. The purpose of this league is to support, and give clubs, full freedom in the development of some of their elite level players. It is a collaborative club-based development program that features competition, player identification, and coaching and club development platforms. The Rapids Youth Soccer Club is a part of the Mountain Conference, which is comprised of five other clubs.
The CRYSC Boys ECNL offers placement for 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U, and 18U/19U. ECNL placement involves both regular season conference games and cross-conference events, with qualifying teams advancing to post-season playoffs.
Preseason Event (13U & 14U Players Only)
- When: Pre-Season events generally take place in early August
- Who: All rostered CRYSC 13U & 14U Boys ECNL players
Season Overview
- Training: 3x per week
- High School Boys (15U-19U) ECNL Kickarounds in June/July
- 13U-14U Kickarounds in April/May
- CSA League Games: 13U & 14U Late August-November and early March-May, 15U-19U early March-May
- ECNL League Games: Early January through March
Tournaments/Events
- Arsenal Cup (13U & 14U only): August
- ECNL National Events: All events are out of state, teams will attend 1-3 ECNL National Events per season depending on age group
Thank you for your interest in the Rapids Boys ECNL program! If you would like to be contacted by the club with more information about the program please submit your information in the interest form below. We look forward to communicating with you.
The Whole-Part-Whole (WPW) philosophyย is a learning model used by the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club to achieve our long-term player development initiative. The WPW philosophy was first outlined by Malcolm Knowles in 1973 and is used in many learning situations, both practical and theory based. When added to a well-planned and well-thought out pedagogy, the WPW philosophy puts players in realistic situations, which should always include decision-making elements.
When coaching soccer, WPW can be used in a variety of ways to break down techniques, skills, or tactics. Most commonly the players are taken from practice with high game context to a low one, before returning to the original practice. When possible, it is best to practice the game, or elements of the game, in their entirety. An example of this could occur in a topic such as โDefending in the Direct Game Channelโ. What do you do if the individuals or units in your squad donโt understand how to defend 1v1 or 2v2? You break it down.
โWholeโ doesnโt necessarily mean a game. Actually, in this theory, a โwholeโ practice could be a series of complex skills that can be broken down into more discrete skills. The โwholeโ element should be as realistic to the game as possible. The coach looks to pull actions or components of the game and break them down into chunks so the players can understand and digest the information. The coach will then pull those elements back together into the game situation.
References: Swanson, R.A. & Law, B. (1993). Whole-part-whole learning model. Performance Improvement Quarterly. 6(1), ppย 43-53.
@coachdanwright. Coachdanwright.blogspot.co.uk
In addition to our technicalย soccerย curriculum and teaching philosophy, we aim to represent The Rapids Way in all our programming. The Rapids Way is much more than just what we do and how we do it. It encompasses who we are as a Club, from how we handle our administrative details to how coaches instruct players in training to how our players and families conduct themselves on and off the field. The Clubโs mission and vision shape a philosophy, methodology, and culture that provide a framework for us to work in these key areas.
The Rapids Way is defined by the experience each player has from the time they enter the Club to the time they graduate. ย From a technical perspective, we focus on establishing an individual foundation before teaching group actions and tactics. This includes the WPW philosophy and long-term development planning. The technical, tactical, physical, and psycho-social pieces of our soccer curriculum come together in the form of a distinct style of play, consistent from our most inexperienced levels to our elite levels in the Club.
The culture we create provides a system of support for all of our young players. We take pride in the professionalism exhibited by our coaching staff, from the way they teach to their demeanor and appearance at sessions and games. Our parents are well informed and respectful on the sidelines, during both games and practices, which in turn creates a fun, safe and enjoyable atmosphere for our players to develop. This is captured in our free-flowing and positive thinking style of play.
We have a saying in the Club, โPrepare your child for the path, not the path for your child.โ This is the Rapids Way.
Andrew Kummer
Elite Program Director
[email protected]
Jen Metz
Elite Administrator
[email protected]
303.399.5858 ext. 117
- Overview
-
The Boys ECNL is made up of 90 member clubs. The purpose of this league is to support, and give clubs, full freedom in the development of some of their elite level players. It is a collaborative club-based development program that features competition, player identification, and coaching and club development platforms. The Rapids Youth Soccer Club is a part of the Mountain Conference, which is comprised of five other clubs.
The CRYSC Boys ECNL offers placement for 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U, and 18U/19U. ECNL placement involves both regular season conference games and cross-conference events, with qualifying teams advancing to post-season playoffs.
- Dates & Deadlines
-
Preseason Event (13U & 14U Players Only)
- When: Pre-Season events generally take place in early August
- Who: All rostered CRYSC 13U & 14U Boys ECNL players
Season Overview
- Training: 3x per week
- High School Boys (15U-19U) ECNL Kickarounds in June/July
- 13U-14U Kickarounds in April/May
- CSA League Games: 13U & 14U Late August-November and early March-May, 15U-19U early March-May
- ECNL League Games: Early January through March
Tournaments/Events
- Arsenal Cup (13U & 14U only): August
- ECNL National Events: All events are out of state, teams will attend 1-3 ECNL National Events per season depending on age group
- ECNL Interest Form
-
Thank you for your interest in the Rapids Boys ECNL program! If you would like to be contacted by the club with more information about the program please submit your information in the interest form below. We look forward to communicating with you.
- Philosophy
-
The Whole-Part-Whole (WPW) philosophyย is a learning model used by the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club to achieve our long-term player development initiative. The WPW philosophy was first outlined by Malcolm Knowles in 1973 and is used in many learning situations, both practical and theory based. When added to a well-planned and well-thought out pedagogy, the WPW philosophy puts players in realistic situations, which should always include decision-making elements.
When coaching soccer, WPW can be used in a variety of ways to break down techniques, skills, or tactics. Most commonly the players are taken from practice with high game context to a low one, before returning to the original practice. When possible, it is best to practice the game, or elements of the game, in their entirety. An example of this could occur in a topic such as โDefending in the Direct Game Channelโ. What do you do if the individuals or units in your squad donโt understand how to defend 1v1 or 2v2? You break it down.
โWholeโ doesnโt necessarily mean a game. Actually, in this theory, a โwholeโ practice could be a series of complex skills that can be broken down into more discrete skills. The โwholeโ element should be as realistic to the game as possible. The coach looks to pull actions or components of the game and break them down into chunks so the players can understand and digest the information. The coach will then pull those elements back together into the game situation.
References: Swanson, R.A. & Law, B. (1993). Whole-part-whole learning model. Performance Improvement Quarterly. 6(1), ppย 43-53.
@coachdanwright. Coachdanwright.blogspot.co.uk
- The Rapids Way
-
In addition to our technicalย soccerย curriculum and teaching philosophy, we aim to represent The Rapids Way in all our programming. The Rapids Way is much more than just what we do and how we do it. It encompasses who we are as a Club, from how we handle our administrative details to how coaches instruct players in training to how our players and families conduct themselves on and off the field. The Clubโs mission and vision shape a philosophy, methodology, and culture that provide a framework for us to work in these key areas.
The Rapids Way is defined by the experience each player has from the time they enter the Club to the time they graduate. ย From a technical perspective, we focus on establishing an individual foundation before teaching group actions and tactics. This includes the WPW philosophy and long-term development planning. The technical, tactical, physical, and psycho-social pieces of our soccer curriculum come together in the form of a distinct style of play, consistent from our most inexperienced levels to our elite levels in the Club.
The culture we create provides a system of support for all of our young players. We take pride in the professionalism exhibited by our coaching staff, from the way they teach to their demeanor and appearance at sessions and games. Our parents are well informed and respectful on the sidelines, during both games and practices, which in turn creates a fun, safe and enjoyable atmosphere for our players to develop. This is captured in our free-flowing and positive thinking style of play.
We have a saying in the Club, โPrepare your child for the path, not the path for your child.โ This is the Rapids Way.
- Contact
-
Andrew Kummer
Elite Program Director
[email protected]Jen Metz
Elite Administrator
[email protected]
303.399.5858 ext. 117
ECNL Boys Tryouts
Selection Process
The selection process for the CRYSC Boys ECNL teams is an ongoing process, but invite only. The coaching staff will select a full-time roster at the end of May for the 13U-15U age groups and at the beginning of August for the 16U-19U age groups. Certain players may be added as part-time players throughout the course of the season. Part-time players are allowed to play a certain number of games with the assigned ECNL team, and are allowed to train with them when their CRYSC team does not have training. We are constantly evaluating current CRYSC players in order to fulfill our promise in the player pathway.
Team Placement and Schedule
Rapids Boys ECNL offers placement for 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U, and 18U/19U. ECNL placement involves both regular season conference games and cross-conference events, with qualifying teams advancing to post-season playoffs. Rapids Boys elite programming offers player identification, training, and development opportunities for top players within each conference, coaching development programs, and a direct path into Elite National Premier League (ENPL) post-season competition.ย Boys ECNL teams will tentatively participate in the Colorado Soccer Association (CSA) League as determined by the Elite Boys Program Director.
These teams will train 10 months out of the year, three days per week during the season and one to two days per week throughout winter (Jan-Feb) weather permitting. In addition to training there will be weekend games. The game schedules for these age groups will include ECNL league games, CSA league games (tentatively 13U and 14U only), along with various ECNL National Events and other tournaments that are selected by the Boys Elite Program Director. ECNL teams will play in 1-2 ECNL National Events per year depending on the age of the team. Out-of-state travel should be expected for ECNL teams. Fees associated with ECNL National Events and other tournaments are paid separately and directly to the teamโs treasurer.ย These fees can include items such as event registration costs, airfare, lodging, coaches expenses, rental cars, meals and other various travel related costs.
The 13U & 14U ECNL boys team will also participate in the Elite programโs preseason event. This event will be a three night, four day trip to Steamboat Springs occurring prior to the fall season.
ECNL Teams
- Aug-Nov & Jan-June (13U/14U)
- Oct-Jun (15U-19U)
- Train 3x per week
- Train 1-2x per week Jan-Feb weather permitting
- Video of all Local ECNL Games
- ECNL League Fees
- Pre-Season Event (13U & 14U Only)
- CSA League (as applicable)
- Indoor Winter Training Space
- Outdoor Winter Training (weather permitting)
Rapids Youth Soccer =
Meet CRYSC’s Head Athletic Trainer Julie Graves
Julie Graves is Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Clubโs first, full-time Head Athletic Trainer. As a Colorado native, Julie has been around sports her entire life. She was a gymnast until ninth grade, and then pursued being a Student Athletic Trainer throughout high school until she graduated from DโEvelyn High School in Lakewood, CO. Julie attended and graduated college at Metropolitan State University of Denver with a Bachelorโs of Science in Athletic Training. She then moved to southern California to attend Azusa Pacific University for graduate school. As a graduate assistant, her main sports were menโs soccer, womenโs water polo, and men and womenโs tennis. Her favorite sport to work with was the menโs soccer team. After earning her Master of Arts in Leadership and Organizational Studies, she moved back to Colorado and was offered the Assistant Athletic Trainer position at Colorado Christian University. She worked with all 15 sports at CCU.
In March 2016, Julie was hired on with University of Colorado Health and CU Sports Medicine as the Head Athletic Trainer for Colorado Storm to build a Sports Medicine Program for the elite soccer club. Julie has now joined the CRYSC through the club merger with Storm. In her spare time, Julie loves exploring all the beautiful places Colorado has to offer and trying new Denver restaurants. She is also an avid Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies fan!
University of Denver Center For Performance Excellence + CRYSC
Rapids Youth Soccer has partnered with the Center for Performance Excellence (CPEX) to provide opportunities for players with CRYSC to develop as individuals using soccer as a vehicle for personal development and growth. CPEX is a nonprofit consulting organization that provides sport and performance psychology and life skills coaching. Every day the mental performance consultants use performance as a vehicle for positive social change and to teach mental strategies to achieve personal excellence. CPEX consultants strive to help all their clients achieve performance excellence, which includes helping them work toward fulfillment, meaning, and satisfaction in life by increasing capability, developing consistency, and connecting to the joy of performing. CPEX consultants provide the opportunity to train the mind along with the body and to create valuable connections between thoughts and actions.
CPEX consultants are currently earning their Masters of Arts in Sport and Performance Psychology at the University of Denverโs Graduate School of Professional Psychology. Consultants receive a minimum of 250 hours of training prior to working with clients. Training involves rigorous, multi-layered supervision, hands-on instruction and education, and direct observation of working consultants in the field. All consultants are supervised by recognized experts and leaders in sport and performance psychology with over 45 years of professional practice.
Within CRYSC, CPEX provides group and team consultations to all Elite teams as well as workshops for athletes, parents, and coaches throughout every region. CPEX also offers individual sessions for CRYSC athletes at a discounted rate. For more information on the University of Denver’s Center For Performance Excellence visit their website here.
CPEX Individual Sessions
CPEX also offers individual sessions for CRYSC athletes at a discounted rate. There is an introductory individual consult (approximately 25-30 minutes) for all CRYSC athletes at no cost. For individual session rates, see below. For more information contact [email protected].
1 Session
All sessions are 45 minutes
3 Sessions
All sessions are 45 minutes
5 Sessions
All sessions are 45 minutes
Congrats to joshperez154 and asherc_4 for being selected as ECNLโs All Conference 1st Team members for the 21-22 season!
#ecnlboys
#CRYSCBoysECNL
#rapidsyouthsoccer

๐โฝ๏ธ๐ Shout out to the Rapids 07, 06, 05, & 04 ECNL teams on a great week at the @ecnlboys Playoffs in Greensboro, NC!! The boys played their hearts out against some of the best teams in the nation! #CRYSCBoysECNL #OneClubOneCommunity

โ๏ธโฝ๏ธ๐ A perfect day for our 1st annual CRYSC Winter Showcase out at Aurora Sports Park!! #CRYSCBoysECNL #CRYSCGirlsECNL #CRYSCWinterShowcase

๐ฅโผ๏ธ๐ฅ CONGRATS to Rapids 04B ECNL & Grandview High Schoolโs @ben.beckman4 on winning the 2022 Boys @gatorade Player of the Year in CO!! Benโs monumental performances from the back helped Grandview to a 15-4-1 record, a 1st-ever boys State Championship, & individual all-state honors! Way to go & best of luck at @stolafmsoc next season ๐ #GatoradePOY #OneClubOneCommunity #CRYSCBoysECNL

๐โฝ๏ธ๐ Good luck to our Rapids 07 & 08 ECNL boys at the @theecnl National Event in South Carolina this weekend!! #CRYSCBoysECNL #OneClubOneCommunity @ecnlboys

๐๐๐ Thank you to the @sandiegoloyal front office for inviting our Rapids 07B ECNL team to tour the club & attend a @uslchampionship match while they visited San Diego for the #ECNLPlayoffs!! It was an awesome experience for our athletes! #OneClubOneCommunity #CRYSCBoysECNL

๐ดโ๏ธ๐ด GOOD LUCK to our Rapids 04/05B ECNL team at the @ecnlboys National Event in Sanford, FL this weekend!! Enjoy the sunshine, warm weather, & high-level competition! #OneClubOneCommunity #CRYSCBoysECNL

๐ฅโฝ๐ฅ A big CONGRATS to our Rapids ECNL players Asher Christus, Joshua Perez, Clayton Thomas, Jonah Elstad, Graham Goodson, Benjamin Beckman, & Jack Pucciano for being selected as Mtn. Conf. 1st Team winners for the 21/22 season! #CRYSCboysECNL #OneClubOneCommunity
