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
Player of the Month February 2023
Congrats to Shawn Woodall on winning our February 2023 UCHealth Player of the Month award! Shawn plays outside back for our Rapids 06B South Select team, where his teammates and…
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Player of the Month February 2023
Congrats to Shawn Woodall on winning our February 2023 UCHealth Player of the Month award! Shawn plays outside back for our Rapids 06B South Select team, where his teammates and…
Player of the Month February 2023
Congrats to Shawn Woodall on winning our February 2023 UCHealth Player of the Month award!
Shawn plays outside back for our Rapids 06B South Select team, where his teammates and coaches know him as a defender that demonstrates quality, consistency, and leadership. In January 2023, Shawn participated in a #CRYSCInternational trip to Germany. On the trip and on the field, Shawn was regularly one of the best-performing players and a leader in the dressing room. Off the field, Shawn took exceptional ownership of his team’s representation of CRYSC abroad. Throughout the trip to Germany, he was a behavioral example to the group and balanced the joys of travel with the focus and discipline required to compete at a high level.
In the classroom, Shawn has been on the honor roll at Douglas County High School for four of his last five semesters and was a member of the National Junior Honor Society.
At Douglas County High School, Shawn has been a starter his entire high school career, earning three varsity letters and adding impressive accolades to his resumé, including:
- Honorable Mention Continental All-League (Spring 2021)
- 1st Team Continental All-League (Fall 2021, Fall 2022)
- Team Captain (Fall 2022)
Outside of soccer, Shawn runs track at Douglas County, qualifying for the 5A Colorado State Championships in three events. In his younger years, Shawn was a gifted cross-country runner, competing in various USATF Junior Olympic Events across Colorado and regularly making nationals. In 2014, Shawn won the national event for his age group. Shawn is also a 6x All-American in XC.
While he isn’t playing sports, Shawn is an active member of his community. He spends his free time volunteering for organizations such as Rylies ARK, St. Francis of Assisi Food Bank, and the Town of Castle Rock Athletics. He is also a track coach for the Town of Castle Rock youth track teams and a member of both the St. Francis of Assisi youth group and Journey Church youth group.
In March, Shawn will be presented with a plaque and a gift card to acknowledge his achievements. We spoke with Shawn to learn a bit more about him. Check out the full interview below!
What influence has soccer had in your life?
Soccer was a big part of my childhood from when I was four years old, playing for Storm before Rapids. Through it, I have met many great friends, which has made me love the sport. Soccer training has helped improve me at other sports I participate in.
Why do you believe that you were nominated for this award?
I believe I was nominated for this award because of my work ethic and hard work on the field to help my teammates.
What do you enjoy most about playing for Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club?
What I enjoy most is the community of great coaches and players who all love the sport and are all willing to help you improve. One of my favorite memories with Rapids happened this past January when we traveled to Germany with my teammates and other club players and played soccer in a different country. I never imagined that I would get the opportunity to play against three different German teams and also get to attend a professional soccer match in Stuttgart, Germany—an unbelievable chance of a lifetime that I will never forget.
What soccer accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am most proud of playing Varsity at Douglas County High School during my freshman, sophomore, and junior years, being Captain for my high school team my Junior year, and being selected First Team All-League in the 5A Continental League two years in a row. I am looking forward to my senior year in the fall at Douglas County and playing my last two seasons with Rapids this spring and next year.
What academic achievement are you most proud of?
I was in the National Junior Honor Society in middle school. I then started high school during covid in 2020 and didn’t have the greatest start to my GPA my freshman year. I found it challenging to learn virtually, and only being able to be in person with my teachers for less than half of the year was a challenge. But over my sophomore and junior years, I have greatly improved my grades and GPA.
How do you think your teammates would describe you?
We, Shawn’s parents, believe his teammates would consider him a dominant force on the field, a player who can anticipate the other player’s moves and defend with strength, skill, and determination. He is an unselfish player and can still defend and get the job done. Shawn is quiet, but once you get to know him and get a chance to watch him play, you will see his passion and love of the game come through in his actions. He is a clean player and one you don’t want to go up against, as he will most likely win the ball. Shawn’s Coach, Coach Kesti from DCHS, had these words: Shawn’s sportsmanship and character greatly overshadow his athletic abilities, and his athleticism makes him a standout on the field. Whether experiencing success or facing adversity, his character is constant, strong, and grounded. Shawn is an outstanding representative for his team, always setting the example and keeping teammates in line if their character wavers. In addition to leading by example, Shawn motivates and encourages his teammates with a positive impact.
What is something that shows your exemplary character, commitment to sportsmanship, community involvement, etc..?
Shawn decided to coach with the Town of Castle Rock Recreation Center Youth Athletics in the track program last summer. He really stepped out of his comfort zone and took a leader role in coaching these youth with the ins and outs of track. He found that he really enjoyed being able to share his love for the sport while building relationships with the kids and coaching them through the trainings and sharing the joy of their accomplishments at the track meets.
What’s your favorite soccer player and team?
My favorite player is Sergiño Dest, and my favorite team is Real Madrid.
What do you hope to pursue in the near future?
In my future, I hope to pursue kinesiology for sports medicine or sports management while hopefully continuing my soccer career throughout college
Who inspires you and why? This can be someone famous or someone you know personally!
My parents inspire me because they are always there to help me as a person and as an athlete, and they have always been there for me since the start of my soccer career and have helped me grow to who I am today. They have always helped in the community and with my soccer teams with managing and organizing things for the team.
What else do you enjoy outside of playing for CRYSC?
Outside of CRYSC I like to run track, go skiing, and hangout with my friends and family.
Since 2018, CRYSC and UCHealth + CU Orthopedics and Sports Medicine have worked together in an effort to grow the safety and health resources that are available for Rapids Youth players and members.
As our partnership strengthens with UCHealth, we want to work together to highlight the amazing players within the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club with a monthly ‘Player of the Month’. Check out the criteria and nominate any players that deserve to be highlighted by UCHealth and CRYSC on the UCHealth Player of the Month page.
Player of the Month January 2023
Congrats to Jackson Tankersley on winning our January 2023 UCHealth Player of the Month award! Jackson plays as a midfielder for our Rapids 11B Central Select I team. Teammates and…
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Player of the Month January 2023
Congrats to Jackson Tankersley on winning our January 2023 UCHealth Player of the Month award! Jackson plays as a midfielder for our Rapids 11B Central Select I team. Teammates and…
Player of the Month January 2023
Congrats to Jackson Tankersley on winning our January 2023 UCHealth Player of the Month award!
Jackson plays as a midfielder for our Rapids 11B Central Select I team. Teammates and coaches know him as one of the hardest-working players in the region, an open-minded learner, and an athlete with a strong desire to improve his game. Through coaching evaluations and reflections, Jackson has stood out as an athlete who continually grows in his passion for the game and his abilities on the field. Most recently, Jackson has worked his way into the EDS pool, training five times weekly and playing most weekends against top-level competition.
In the classroom, Jackson receives top marks from his teachers as a 6th-grade student at Graland Country Day School. He is also actively engaged in the Gates Invention and Innovation program. Currently, Jackson is inventing a new product to earn a U.S. patent. In addition, he was recently selected to be an admissions shadow partner and new student ambassador at his school.
Outside of soccer, Jackson is a competitive alpine skier with the Winter Park Competition Center. Last year at the U12 Rocky Mountain Ski Championships, Jackson finished in the top 20 in Giant Slalom and the top 30 in Slalom versus athletes representing eight states. This year at Graland, Jackson has participated in the cross-country and basketball programs.
In February, Jackson will be presented with a plaque and a gift card to acknowledge his achievements. We spoke with Jackson to learn a bit more about him. Check out the full interview below!
What influence has soccer had in your life?
Soccer has given me a ton of great friends and friendships that give me tremendous joy. It has also given me something to look forward to working on or participating in every day. It also motivates me to become my best and helps me work through and overcome other challenges in my life.
Why do you believe that you were nominated for this award?
Because of my hard work and dedication, my positive attitude towards my coaches and teammates, and I show up every day with a coachable spirit and an attitude that is ready to learn. I also always try to be the hardest worker on the field and give it my all every day.
What do you enjoy most about playing for Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club?
I love the coaches’ dedication to the players – the coaches always show up with the best versions of themselves and work to help all the Rapids athletes become the best players they can be on and off the pitch. I also love my teammates and the fact that it is a positive organization that is accepting of everyone regardless of their background.
What soccer accomplishment are you most proud of?
Earning a spot on the 2011B EDS roster halfway through the season based on my hard work and dedication.
What academic achievement are you most proud of?
I am most proud of receiving the Hidden Hero award at my school. The hidden hero award recognizes the student that exemplifies the school’s core vales and places the community above themselves.
How do you think your teammates would describe you?
My teammates would describe me as hard working, unselfish, and supportive.
What is something that shows your exemplary character, commitment to sportsmanship, community involvement, etc..?
While ski training this year, I was skiing toward the top of a training course with my team, and as we approached the start of the course, one of our teammates caught an edge and fell and hit her head. Her ski released and hit her in the face, and there was a lot of blood. I quickly rushed to her side to see if she was ok while many of my teammates skied off to go to the course. I ignored my training and immediately called one of the coaches to have them get ski patrol to help. I then stayed with her to ensure that she was alright, remained conscious and calm, and then made sure that ski patrol knew exactly what had happened before taking her down in the sled. The next morning I saw her and, unprompted by anyone, went over to see if my teammate was ok and how she was feeling.
What’s your favorite soccer player and team?
Kevin De Bruyne and Manchester City
What do you hope to pursue in the near future?
One day I hope to become a professional athlete.
Who inspires you and why? This can be someone famous or someone you know personally!
Pelé. Because he was born into poverty and had many challenges growing up (including playing soccer with a grapefruit instead of a ball). His work ethic and determination lead him to become the greatest player in the world.
What else do you enjoy outside of playing for CRYSC?
I love to ski and am a competitive ski racer. I also really enjoy spending time in the mountains (hiking, camping, mountain biking, stand-up paddle-boarding, etc), golfing, and spending time with family and friends (usually outside).
Since 2018, CRYSC and UCHealth + CU Orthopedics and Sports Medicine have worked together in an effort to grow the safety and health resources that are available for Rapids Youth players and members.
As our partnership strengthens with UCHealth, we want to work together to highlight the amazing players within the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club with a monthly ‘Player of the Month’. Check out the criteria and nominate any players that deserve to be highlighted by UCHealth and CRYSC on the UCHealth Player of the Month page.
2022 Year in Review
To Our Rapids Youth Soccer Family, Happy holidays and I hope that you are having a wonderful end to 2022 with family and friends! As we head into the New…
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2022 Year in Review
To Our Rapids Youth Soccer Family, Happy holidays and I hope that you are having a wonderful end to 2022 with family and friends! As we head into the New…
2022 Year in Review
To Our Rapids Youth Soccer Family,
Happy holidays and I hope that you are having a wonderful end to 2022 with family and friends! As we head into the New Year, I am filled with joy thinking about all that we’ve accomplished together and the potential for where we can go as a Club and as a community in 2023. It’s been the honor of my career serving as the Executive Director of Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club and I thank you for putting your trust in this organization to ensure that your player has the best youth sports experience possible.
The past 12 months have been memorable for both the big and small moments, so I am excited to close out another year by inviting you to relive some of our favorites in the 2022 Year in Review. From success stories, to major announcements, to program expansions; our Club continues to grow the sport of soccer along the Front Range and offer a pathway for young leaders in Colorado. This pathway is always improving and I believe that we have taken major strides forward in 2022 with new partnerships like the establishment of our home for Rapids Elite Soccer at Regis University, reached new heights like when our Rapids Women made the WPSL National Finals this summer, and created more opportunities through coach education, futsal, EDS programs, college placement events, Let Us Play initiatives, and so much more.
This year, we have focused on improving the individual experiences of our programs, tournaments, and camps for players and members across the Club. Providing an incredible soccer experience is at the heart of what we do and, from all of us at Rapids Youth Soccer, we thank you for your vital role in making these experiences impactful to so many kids in Colorado. The Year in Review reflects on and celebrates our time together as #OneClubOneCommunity, and I can’t wait to see how we grow in 2023 and beyond – happy reading!
Aaron Nagel, CRYSC Executive Director
In March 2022, Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club and Regis University launched a new partnership to expand player access to top-of-the-line, local facilities and create a new home for Rapids Elite programming. This unique partnership within the world of youth soccer has allowed CRYSC players seeking to compete at the highest levels of the game access to one of Colorado’s best soccer and futsal facilities, the Rapids Youth Soccer Elite Performance Center (EPC) at Regis University.
The Club’s long-term partnership with Regis University provides 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.
Rapids Youth Soccer is proud to call the new Elite Performance Center at Regis University home and we look forward to watching this partnership grow alongside our athletes in 2023 and beyond! Click here to read more about the Rapids Youth Soccer + Regis University partnership on our website and check out the collegiate facilities now accessible to CRYSC athletes, quotes from organization leadership, and the unique opportunities this partnership will present like new scholarships, expanded programming, and so much more.
In February 2022, Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club (CRYSC) and Westminster Soccer (WSC) announced that our clubs were joining forces to create the best possible youth soccer experience for North Denver suburb athletes, coaches, and members. United as One Club under the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club banner, CRYSC and WSC have worked together throughout 2022 to offer a broader range of opportunities for athletes to enjoy the sport of soccer and take their game to the next level, while continuing to provide the one-of-a-kind, local experiences that members have come to expect.
“This merger between Westminster Soccer and Rapids Youth Soccer is a progressive and exciting time for our competitive membership. It will serve to further enhance our club community, whilst also maintaining the culture and vision we’ve come to pride ourselves on. More importantly, every player, at every level, will be provided a pathway to maximize their skills and achieve their individual ambitions. Westy Soccer players, coaches, and parents will benefit from the Rapids Youth Soccer Clubs’ world-class strategy and have access to their high-level services…[cont]” – Paul Mulvany, Executive Director for Westminster Soccer. Click here to read Paul’s full quote and discover more details on the partnership!
A message from our friends and partners at UCHealth:
As a long-time partner of Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club, we want to take a moment to express our excitement for our new partnership with the Rapids organization and the positive impact we know it will spark both within the soccer community in Colorado and the state as a whole.
Today’s news marks the start of an incredible relationship that will go beyond a jersey sponsorship. As two organizations rooted in the beautiful state of Colorado, UCHealth and the Rapids are both deeply invested in the welfare of our community and this partnership provides us with a unique opportunity to help elevate the health of Coloradans through the sport we all love.
For years, Colorado has been recognized as the home to some of the fittest, strongest and healthiest populations in the country. However, the past few years have taken a toll on all of us, both physically and mentally, and impacted the collective health of Coloradans. We believe it’s time for Colorado to regain its status as the healthiest state in the nation and hope to use our new partnership with the Rapids to help spearhead this movement.
This summer, the Colorado Rapids Women concluded their best post-season in program history! From May to July, the team competed in local, regional, and national competitions, ultimately, becoming Rockies Division and Mountain Conference Champions for the second year in a row, winning the Central Region Championship, and progressing through the WPSL Championships to finish as National Finalists!
“It was a historic season that has set the standard for our WPSL program. The success is a testament to the work being done in our Girls ECNL program, coach education, and every day out on the field. The athletes are amazing people on and off the field and the reason we are bringing home multiple championships.” – Sebastian Giraldo, Colorado Rapids Women Head Coach
From the regular season to the national championship, it has been a year to remember for the team. A special thank you to the fans that have been there every step of the way this season – your support means everything! Click here to read a full recap of the Rapids Womens’ run to the WPSL National Finals.
Colorado Rapids Women is the official WPSL team, owned and operated by Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club. Click here to visit the CRYSC WPSL webpage or on one of the icons below to visit the Rapids Women Twitter or Instagram page.
An ECNL national final and player accolades in 2022! #CRYSCGirlsECNL #CRYSCBoysECNL
This July, the Rapids 06G ECNL team wrapped up a memorable year of soccer that saw our girls establish themselves as one of the best teams in the nation, battling through the ECNL National Playoffs and ultimately reaching the heights of the ECNL National Championship Game! The Rapids 06’s tremendous playoff run ended in a narrow 0-1 defeat decided by a first-half PK to SLSG 06G Navy. We are extremely proud of the team’s efforts this summer and throughout the whole year. Catch up on the 06 girls’ finals run in this blog post recapping their summer!
Many of our ECNL players were awarded end-of-season honors for the 2021/22 season including a Northwest Conference Player of the Year award for Lexi Meyer (06G ECNL)! Lexi Meyer and Adeleine Walick (06G ECNL) were also selected as part of the ECNL 16U All-American team.
The ECNL girls 2022/23 ECNL season is underway with travel this Fall to California, Utah, Indiana, Oregon, and Arizona. Similar to the girls’ program, the ECNL boys wrapped up their season at the ECNL National Playoffs in San Diego, with four teams qualifying for the event. All the groups performed very well over the week. The 2009 boys Elite team had 10 players make the step from ECNL to the Colorado Rapids Academy, as it continues to be a focus for the development of our talent pool of players. The boys 2022/23 ECNL season has just started and we are looking forward to a fun and successful season!
New opportunities for Rapids Elite 11/12U players!
In 2022, we rolled out our Rapids Elite 11/12U program as an introduction to our Elite programming for the youngest age group. With four teams (boys 11U, girls 11U, boys 12U, and girls 12U), this program provides Elite training and game opportunities for these players. It is a great way to expose players to a similar environment to ECNL. Highlights included the 2012B team winning the CSA Premier 1 Division, and the 2011G being crowned Champions at the Challenger Season Finale in Kansas. The Elite program also included 2011 and 2012 EDS groups. These players were exposed to on-field training and mental performance training. In early December, we took 5 EDS groups to the Challenger Season Finale in Kansas. The 2012G and 2011B (pictured above) finished the event as runners-up, and the 2011G brought home the championship!
Rapids Futsal expands and finds a new home at Regis University! #CRYSCFutsal
In the summer of 2022, our futsal season culminated with the Nationals and Worlds in Orlando, Florida. Four of our CCS teams reached the gold division, four Showcase teams played in the gold division finals, and the 07/08 boys won Nationals in the silver division!
This year, our futsal program expanded to over 200 players and 20 teams! Players in these programs get over 60 hours of training at our beautiful new futsal facility at Regis University. We also launched our new Elite Winter Futsal Leagues this November and had an amazing first-ever Winter Futsal Invitational over Thanksgiving weekend. We are looking forward to upcoming regional showcases in Las Vegas and San Jose, as well as National and World tournaments in Orlando in 2023. Click here to visit the CRYSC Futsal webpage or on one of the icons below to follow our futsal Twitter or Instagram page.
Elite Development Squads (EDS) complete their first full season! #CRYSCEDS
The EDS program completed its first season of activity in this spring and has largely been met with positive feedback! The objective of providing players slightly outside ECNL squads with time and space to develop was given more focus this past year. The addition of an extra practice session along with a program that included increased scrimmages against ECNL teams, and attendance in out-of-state events such as Sporting Kansas’ Central States, and Surf Cup were all delivered. Mid-2022, the EDS teams became official representatives of CRYSC as part of the newly developed National League US Youth Soccer (USYS) platform ‘Elite 64’ (E64). The girls’ 2022/23 season started off with tournaments in Arizona and at Arsenal Colorado. In October, we welcomed RSL Arizona and Phoenix Rising and came out of that weekend with a perfect record of 11 wins! The boys’ teams are getting stronger as the new season gets underway and are getting ready for their next games vs Arsenal & Real, followed by the next 2 out-of-state trips to Utah and Arizona in February and March respectively.
It’s been an incredible start to our EDS journey and we look forward to more growth and fun out on the fields in 2023 and beyond!
Congratulations to the CRYSC players that competed in their 2022 High School Soccer State Championship! CRYSC players at Denver East (Boys 5A), Grandview (Girls 5A), Northfield (Boys 4A), Northfield (Girls 4A), Colorado Academy (Boys 3A), and Kent (Girls 3A) lifted the trophy at their schools on the biggest stage this year. 30+ players from these schools were also recognized by the CHSAA with All-State honors, with Ezekiel Lubin (Denver East | Rapids 04/05B ECNL), Ella Moody (Windsor | Rapids 05G ECNL), and Zachary Liptzin (Northfield | Rapids 04/05B EDS) being awarded Player of the Year in their division! (bottom left to right)
A special shout-out to Ben Beckman from our Rapids 04B ECNL team for winning the Gatorade Player of the Year in Colorado! (top) Ben follows in the footsteps of his sister and former Rapids ECNL player Natalie Beckman, who now plays professionally with the Portland Thorns!
Congratulations to the 20+ CRYSC athletes that were called up to represent or take part in training and ID camps for their national youth teams in 2022! This year saw more CRYSC athletes play a part in the USYNT than ever before, culminating in a USYNT ID camp being held at our home for Rapids Elite soccer – Regis University.
This October, Andrea Ilkjić (Rapids ECNL 04/05G) started for the Croatian 19U Youth National Team in international friendlies versus Cyprus and Montenegro, helping her team to victory by getting on the score sheet. Also in October, Brooklyn Smith (Rapids 08G ECNL) was called up to the 15U USYNT training camp where she joined 23 of the nation’s best players to train and show her goalkeeping skills at the highest level of youth soccer!
“On behalf of the entire Rapids community, the Club would like to congratulate our players for officially taking the next step in their academic and athletic careers. The announcement of our Class of 2022 and Class of 2023 (early) college soccer signees is an opportunity to celebrate the hard work of our players and their families through what was an incredibly challenging recruiting process. Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club has made a commitment to providing comprehensive recruiting support for our membership through an integration of resources in SportsRecruits / Veo Cameras / Hudl and the guidance provided by our staff, coaches, and College Placement Program. Our dedication to creating a program that raises the standard for recruiting visibility, recruiting education, and individual recruiting support is the reason CRYSC continues to be a leader in college signings across the country.” – Anthony Presnell, CRYSC College Placement Program Director
Meet the CRYSC Class of 2022 & Class of 2023 (early):
Click here to see the Class of 2022 player signing photos!
Class of 2022 College Commits Not Pictured:
- Abby Bush | University of Northern Colorado
- Anna Lantz | Rockhurst University
- Cooper Landry | Metropolitan State University Denver
- Isa Durkin | Metropolitan State University Denver
- Jana Kavas | MidAmerica Nazarene University
- Jayden Roque | South Dakota School of Mines
- Lauren “Lola” Toland | Ottawa University Arizona
The CRYSC College Placement Program (CPP) is your Rapids resource for navigating the college selection process. If you have questions about the CRYSC college soccer, please contact Anthony Presnell or visit the College Soccer Page on the CRYSC website. For college recruitment tips, guides, and more, check out the 2022 blog articles published by Anthony: Choosing the Right Summer Soccer Camp, The 2022 College Soccer Season is Almost Here, and Fall 2022 Girls High School Drop-In Event Recap!
A message from CRYSC Technical Director Donald Gillies on #RapidsEducate in 2022:
2022 has been another incredible year of growth for coach education opportunities. Hosting 82 coaching courses across the Club, from regional education events, to out-of-state match analysis, to fully-funded US Soccer courses, we have continued to view our commitment to soccer education as a fundamental tool at our disposal in creating a positive coach and player experience.
The Club’s investment in our full-time Directors as both educators and coaches was a key piece of our strategic approach this year, which began with the delivery of the formal United Soccer Coaches ‘Coach Developer Award’ over two days in January, followed up with a further two-day ‘in-service’ event where we launched the new Player Development Plan.
The final, and potentially most significant initiative for our education program this year has been the year-long project to provide opportunities for staff to begin their education journey on the European (UEFA) coaching pathway. After eight months of preparation, the Club finalized a partnership with the Scottish FA and sent 15 staff to Edinburgh, Scotland for five days to complete their UEFA C-License this November. Exposing our staff to different learning theories and methodology is critical to developing our own support of coaches throughout the Club.
As we move into 2023, we will be publishing a brand new edition of our Coach Education Calendar and providing more focused support for staff working in specialized areas of the game. We believe that this targeted approach will reduce any uncertainty over “which option to choose” and speak more to the needs of the coaches as they develop. We are looking forward to bringing more exciting and innovative opportunities for learning to the coaches in 2023.
This spring, Rapids Youth Soccer was excited to relaunch the Next Wave Project, an eight-month coach development program designed for women, by women! Next Wave Project (NWP) coaches have the opportunity to grow the technical, tactical, and psychosocial skills required to be effective, impactful, and inspiring coaches while building quality relationships with other women in the soccer community. During the course, NWP coaches will interact with and hear from high-profile guest speakers, experience on-field mentorship at training and games, and take the fast track to earn a US Soccer Grassroots license.
Look forward to more information on the Next Wave Project and how you can get involved with the release of the 2023 Coach Education Calendar!
This August, Rapids Youth Soccer welcomed back acclaimed author, speaker, and Founder/CEO of the Changing the Game Project, John O’Sullivan to Colorado for a week of educational events for coaches in each CRYSC region. Click here to read the full article recapping his visit!
“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.” – Let Us Play Director, Brian Sheehan.
The CRYSC Let Us Play (LUP) campaign is an initiative to support all players and give the game back to the kids. Let Us Play promotes positive parenting, improved sideline culture, better coaching from home, connecting with players on the car ride home, structured discipline ladders, and so much more! To learn more about the campaign, visit our website or contact LUP Director, Brian Sheehan.
In 2021, UCHealth and CRYSC teamed up to highlight the amazing individuals at the Club with a new “UCHealth Player of the Month” award! This award was created to put a spotlight on players that have shown athletic excellence, academic achievement, or exemplary character out on the fields or in their community.
Monthly winners have been featured on the CRYSC blog page and in a recurring section of the Club newsletter. Thank you to everyone who nominated a player in 2022 and congratulations to our winners. You can find a recap of our UCHealth Player of the Month awards below, as well as our final winner for December 2022 – Paige Fry. Look forward to more UCHealth Player of the Month content in 2023 and click here to nominate a player for this January!
Congratulations to Paige Fry on winning the December 2022 UCHealth Player of the Month award!
Congratulations to Paige Fry on winning the UCHealth Player of the Month award for December 2022!
Paige plays for our Rapids 06G Fort Collins Select team as a goalkeeper. In the Fort Collins region, she is known for her leadership abilities, positivity on and off the field, and respect for all. Her leadership qualities are exemplified through her athletic achievements, academic success, and community involvement. Paige is a long-standing member of our CRYSC community, with this year being her seventh at the Club! She is also a two-year letter winner at Fort Collins High School for basketball and soccer, a 2021 second-team selection for soccer, an honorable mention selection for basketball, and the winner of the 2021 Colorado State Cup. Check out the full interview on the CRYSC blog page!
Click here to catch up on our UCHealth Player of the Month winners in 2022!
Congratulations to Brooke Roth on winning the UCHealth Player of the Month award for January 2022!
Brooke plays for the Rapids South 05G Select team as a defensive midfielder (#6) and is a fantastic representative of what it means to be “the heart behind the crest”. Her coach, Kristina Corona Grimsley, describes her as “[…] a great kid all-around. She puts in the work in training and game environments. Brooke is an awesome example of what we look to create within our Rapids Youth Soccer environment. She leads through action and word while getting along with all of her teammates. Brooke is talented and hard working on the soccer field and in the classroom, but overall, she is dedicated to becoming the best version of herself.” Check out the full interview on the CRYSC blog page!
Congratulations to Jocelyn Ocegura on winning the UCHealth Player of the Month award for February 2022!
Jocelyn plays for our Rapids 04G Castle Rock recreational team and volunteers her time coaching 9U athletes! Since starting high school, she has captained her freshman soccer team and received multiple awards for academic excellence, showcasing her talent both on and off the field. Rapids Castle Rock coach Katie Beaudoin describes Jocelyn as, “…an amazing person. Not many Junior’s in high school would volunteer to coach a team for an entire season. This takes up quite a bit of time, as they have two practices a week and games on Saturdays. She is a great role model for these young girls!” Check out the full interview on the CRYSC blog page!
Congratulations to Troy Moss on winning the UCHealth Player of the Month award for March 2022!
Troy plays for our Rapids 11B South Select I team as a versatile midfielder/defender and our Rapids 11B United Futsal team as the starting goalkeeper. Last futsal season, he was an integral member of multiple Rapids gold medal-winning sides in Las Vegas and Orlando, and his outstanding performances saw him selected to the CRYSC Futures Academy program. Troy has been described as “the consummate team player, always leading by example” on the field and “a straight-A student well-liked by his teachers and classmates” in school. Check out the full interview on the CRYSC blog page!
Congratulations to Kenna Delgado on winning the UCHealth Player of the Month award for April 2022!
Kenna plays for our Rapids 09G Castle Rock Burgundy team as captain and a leader from the midfield! Her passion for soccer and drive to improve can be seen at practice, games, soccer camps, and any additional training sessions available. If there is an opportunity to grow, Kenna is the first in line to participate! Her desire to improve also applies to her schoolwork, where she is an honor roll student with a hard work ethic. “Kenna puts 100% into everything that she does” and is a deserving winner of our April UCHealth Player of the Month award! Check out the full interview on the CRYSC blog page!
Congratulations to Andrew Chalmers on winning the UCHealth Player of the Month award for May 2022!
Andrew plays for our Rapids 04B South Select I team as a forward, where he has scored 4 goals and assisted 1 in his first 5 games of the season! This year, he was selected to play with the Rapids 03/04 EDS team as one of only 3 juniors on a team populated by senior players. With a passion for the game and dedication to improving every day, Andrew has found success at every level of play and earned a reputation as a “world-class teammate, who consistently offers support and encouragement”. Check out the full interview on the CRYSC blog page!
Congratulations to Courtney Hall on winning the UCHealth Player of the Month award for June 2022!
Courtney plays for our Rapids 04B Central Select team as a midfielder and captains the Grandview High School boy’s soccer team! This year has been a special one for Courtney as he and his high school teammates helped lead the Grandview Wolves to their first-ever State Championship. he has been described by CRYSC coaches as, “A player that lives by his values. Respectful, loyal, hard-working, and humble. Courtney is one of the best leaders at the Club and is recognized as such by his teammates and opponents.” Check out the full interview on the CRYSC blog page!
Congratulations to Reece Bosgraaf on winning the UCHealth Player of the Month award for July 2022!
Reece plays for our Rapids 07B Central Select, E64, and for Summit High School in Breckenridge, CO as a center back. Reece is the embodiment of dedication to the sport, commuting over four hours a day for practice and games. In just two years, Reece moved from the platinum level in the Centennial League to the top of the P1 Champions League and was invited to join the new E64 National Team. In early 2022, Reece suffered a broken ankle but worked hard to recover and get back on the field for the final two games of the season. Along with his accomplishments on the field, Reece also maintains a 3.92 out of 4.00 GPA and is a member of the Thespian Honors Society. Check out the full interview on the CRYSC blog page!
Congratulations to Malachi Kabeya on winning the UCHealth Player of the Month award for August 2022!
Malachi plays for our Rapids 8U Advanced team as a winger. He is an exceptional student-athlete recognized for his outstanding leadership and for making younger players feel welcome through his on-the-field intuition, creativity, maturity, and understanding of his environment. Off the field, Malachi receives excellent grades and is consistently recognized by his educators for his attentiveness, willingness to learn, and academic excellence. Check out the full interview on the CRYSC blog page!
Congratulations to Alex Gallimore on winning the UCHealth Player of the Month award for September 2022!
Alex plays for our Rapids South 08B Select I and Champions League, Premier I teams as a center-midfielder. He’s known by his teammates as an exemplary Rapids player who always showcases a positive attitude on the pitch. Alex consistently works to improve all areas of his game and is often selected by coaches to lead the team in practices and on matchday. Overall, Alex has shown dedication to improving on and off the field, the ability to build trust with teammates, and the desire to grow in his role by always asking for feedback from his coaches. Check out the full interview on the CRYSC blog page!
Congratulations to Giovanni Natale on winning the UCHealth Player of the Month award for October 2022!
Giovanni plays for our Rapids 07B ECNL team and at Luthern High School as a goalkeeper. He’s known by his teammates as an exceptional goalkeeper that has maintained a 7-1 record and a 0.75 Goals Against Average in ECNL league play. He helped his team qualify for the ECNL National Championship in San Diego and went undefeated in tournament matches. At Luthern High School, Giovanni was awarded Athlete of the Year. Along with his success at CRYSC, Giovanni will represent the Rapids with Argentina and has been chosen to attend the Olympic Development Showcase in Utah. Check out the full interview on the CRYSC blog page!
Congratulations to Scarlett French on winning the UCHealth Player of the Month award for November 2022!
Brooke plays for the Rapids South 05G Select team as a defensive midfielder (#6) and is a fantastic representative of what it means to be “the heart behind the crest”. Her coach, Kristina Corona Grimsley, describes her as “[…] a great kid all-around. She puts in the work in training and game environments. Brooke is an awesome example of what we look to create within our Rapids Youth Soccer environment. She leads through action and word while getting along with all of her teammates. Brooke is talented and hard working on the soccer field and in the classroom, but overall, she is dedicated to becoming the best version of herself.” Check out the full interview on the CRYSC blog page!
“UCHealth is proud to partner with Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club and to help care for the club’s athletes. We’ll be available to help care for any injuries that might occur, but our most important mission is to work with the Club’s coaches and administration, providing the most advanced resources to athletes and their families to help prevent injuries from happening in the first place.” – Dr. Scott Laker, UCHealth and CU Sports Medicine Specialist. Since 2018, CRYSC and UCHealth have worked together in an effort to grow the safety and health resources that are available for Rapids Youth players and members.
CRYSC international tours are a great way for players to experience soccer through the lens of a different culture! From playing local competition, experiencing different environments, and seeing new sights, there’s so much to be gained from expanding one’s horizon and taking your game abroad. In 2022, CRYSC took a giant leap forward in providing educational soccer tours for CRYSC members – hiring club coach Jeff Oleck as our dedicated Director of Club & International Partnerships and offering unique overseas trips to Europe and South America!
Ryan and Elaine, Rapids South Parents, on their player’s trip to Ireland: “Our family had an incredible travel experience with CRYSC this summer. In a short time, players grew as a team and expanded their mental soccer capabilities. Players were exposed to a different style of play and bonded quickly with Irish teammates over their mutual love of soccer. Families had the opportunity to attend a professional soccer match, sightsee, and leave the trip with an incredible appreciation of Irish culture. This experience is something we will remember fondly for years to come.”
Catch up on some of the trips and news from #CRYSCInternational by following these links to the NEW #CRYSCInternational webpage, Rapids 08B EDS Team Visits Argentina blog, and Rapids South 10B Select Team Takes in the Soccer and Culture of Ireland blog.
In 2022, CRYSC Director of Mental Performance Katie Pagel continued to provide mental health resources, unique support + guides, and in-house expertise on all things related to sport psychology! Katie is one of the first dedicated Directors of Mental Performance at a youth sports organization in the US and works with leadership, coaches, and admins across the Club to develop a psychologically safe, growth-oriented, high-performing competitive environment for players. Check out the Sport Psych webpage to learn more about the department and view mental health resources!
As a part of projects at every level and region of CRYSC, Katie has devoted a significant amount of her time in 2022 to:
- Enhancing Mental Performance Support: CRYSC Sport Psych provided mental performance support to 500+ CRYSC summer camp athletes of every level throughout the Club, created a revamped mental performance curriculum for all of our EDS, Pre-ECNL, and ECNL athletes, and met every request for non-ECNL team or program specific mental performance support. CRYSC Sport Psych also continued to provide quality club-wide and regional resources on mental performance topics such as how to start the season strong and how to respond to failure.
- Creating Safer Spaces: CRYSC Sport Psych took measurable steps to create safer spaces for our athletes, coaches, and staff in 2022. In addition to bringing greater awareness to Colorado’s I Matter program and drafting blogs on topics like Suicide Prevention and the power of Gratitude, Katie acquired her QPR Gatekeeper Instructor Certification in order to more efficiently bring quality suicide prevention training to all CRYSC staff. By the end of the year, every CRYSC Regional staff member will have received in-person QPR Gatekeeper Training and be far better equipped to keep our athletes, coaches, and staff safe on and off the field.
- Championing Women: Katie was lucky to lead CRYSC’s revamped Next Wave Project aimed specifically at developing women coaches within our club. Alongside Directors Jess Stauffer and Kristina Corona-Grimsley, NWP delivered monthly workshops and on-field development opportunities for a group of aspiring and established women coaches to build their technical, tactical, interpersonal, and intrapersonal coaching skills. Katie was also honored to be invited to present to and learn from a visiting group of coaches from Brazil to discuss gender in youth sports and the development of women leaders.
Find out more about the CRYSC Sports Medicine Program by visiting our website! For questions or concerns related to sports medicine, please reach out to the CRYSC Head Athletic Trainer, Julie Graves. For sports medicine tips, guides, and more, check out the 2022 blog articles published by Julie: Injury Prevention, Preventative Care & Regeneration On The Road, and Plantar Fasciitis Rehab Program!
Follow all of our coverage throughout the year by clicking here to sign up for the CRYSC Newsletter!
Our monthly newsletter is where you can find brand-new blogs, success stories on and off the field, our latest Player of the Month, partnership announcements, education opportunities, and SO MUCH MORE! Catch up on all of our newsletters from last January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November.
2022 was an exciting year of growth and new opportunities for Rapids Youth Soccer. We can’t thank you enough for the role you’ve played in shaping this Club and eagerly await kicking off a new season of tournaments and league play together this spring!
