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
CRYSC Thanks Sports Author & Speaker John O’Sullivan For Visiting Colorado For A Week Of Coaches Education
#RapidsEducate Recap: Sports Author & Speaker, John O’Sullivan Posted by: Brian Sheehan l Director of Let Us Play CATCH UP ON JOHN O’SULLIVAN’S LIVESTREAM FOR PARENTS, PLAYERS, & STAFF! BELOW…
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CRYSC Thanks Sports Author & Speaker John O’Sullivan For Visiting Colorado For A Week Of Coaches Education
#RapidsEducate Recap: Sports Author & Speaker, John O’Sullivan Posted by: Brian Sheehan l Director of Let Us Play CATCH UP ON JOHN O’SULLIVAN’S LIVESTREAM FOR PARENTS, PLAYERS, & STAFF! BELOW…
CRYSC Thanks Sports Author & Speaker John O’Sullivan For Visiting Colorado For A Week Of Coaches Education
#RapidsEducate Recap: Sports Author & Speaker, John O’Sullivan
Posted by: Brian Sheehan l Director of Let Us Play
CATCH UP ON JOHN O’SULLIVAN’S LIVESTREAM FOR PARENTS, PLAYERS, & STAFF! BELOW THE VIDEO, BRIAN SHEEHAN SHARES HIS RECAP & THOUGHTS ON THE EVENT!
This August, Rapids Youth Soccer welcomed 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 visited 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 – attended in-person, in their region, as a vital part of our coaches’ education curriculum and preparation for the new season. Check out Let Us Play Director, Brian Sheehan’s recap, thoughts on the visit, and what players, parents, and staff can take away from the John’s presentation below.
RECAP: Coaches from all levels, ranging from volunteer recreational to high school elite, were in attendance, and John provided relevant nuggets of wisdom for everyone. John met with our South / Castle Rock region coaches on 8/25 and Central / North / Ft. Collins coaches on 8/26. Each night, John utilized his conversational approach to discuss what it takes to create the right environment for self-regulating players to flourish. Alongside co-presenter and CRYSC’s coach education guru Mark Wilson, the two illuminated how fostering a positive environment is integral to the Club’s player development plan.
BRIAN’S THOUGHTS: “Once again, it was great to see John in his element speaking to coaches and mentoring us all on our coaching journeys. Like players, every coach has a diverse set of needs and experiences, and it’s impressive to witness John’s ability to deliver relevant content for everyone. Specifically, John’s ability to highlight the core facets of CRYSC’s player development plan as essential to any young person’s growth within the context of soccer was powerful. John inspires all of us as coaches to know our players, let them lead, and create a game realistic environment where players feel safe to take risks and be brave.”
LINK TO LET US PLAY: As a Club embracing the Let Us Play philosophy, John’s messaging isn’t just relevant for coaches, it’s an incredible teaching tool for parents, families, and spectators too! Let Us Play is a Club-wide commitment to foster an environment where players grow in confidence as masters of their own on-the-field decision-making. Rapids members at every level honor the Let Us Play commitment through positive cheering, civil sporting conduct, and deep appreciation for the ways performance and enjoyment are connected. Parents and spectators alike can check out John’s activity using the Stroop Test here (1:14:53 – 1:19:10) and get an inside look at how fans and spectators can either help or hinder a player’s journey toward self-regulation.
*A slide from John’s presentation, highlighting a crucial part of our role in a player’s development: creating the right environment to grow!
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].
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].
