About Rapids Elite 11U/12U

Our Rapids Elite 11U/12U program is 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 identify players early in advance of ECNL tryouts.

These players also get an opportunity to participate in futsal training at our Elite Performance Center @ Regis University, which is a great tool for player development. The futsal environment is fast-paced, improving the quality and speed with which players make decisions. We feel it can greatly benefit the individual technical development and ability to handle the ball in tight spaces. 

Selection Process

All Elite and Select 1 11U and 12U boys and girls are invited to attend kickarounds in the Spring. These typically are held in March through April and include 4-5 weekly kickarounds.

Players will then be selected and invited to join one of the Rapids Elite teams during the Player Selection Process which starts the Tuesday after Memorial Day. Any players who are not invited to a team are still eligible for ECNL tryouts once they reach the 13U age group, and we encourage them to continue playing with their region.

Key Dates:

  • March – April
    • Elite Training Centers (ETCs) for players who are interested in joining an 11U or 12U Rapids Elite team
    • Invite-only
    • Please fill out the Interest Form if you would like your player from an outside club to be evaluated
  • Memorial Day (end of May) – Early June
    • Players selected for teams
  • August
    • Practices Begin
  • August – December
    • Leagues, Friendlies and Events
  • January – May
    • Leagues, Friendlies and Events

11U Elite Schedule:

Fall (Aug>Dec):
  • League: 8 to 10 League Games
  • Fall Friendlies: 3 to 6 Games
  • Tournaments: 6 to 8 Games (1 CO Event, 1 Travel Event)
Spring (Jan>May):
  • League: 8 to 10 League Games
  • Tournaments: 9 to 13 Games (State Cup, 1 CO Event, 1 Travel Event)

12U Elite Schedule:

Fall (Aug>Dec):
  • League: 8 to 10 League Games
  • Fall Friendlies: 3 to 6 Games
  • Tournaments: 12 to 16 Games – State Cup, 1 CO Event, 2 Travel Events (MLS NXT or ECNL National Event)

Spring (Jan>May):

  • League: 8 to 10 League Games
  • Tournaments: 9 to 12 Games – 1 CO Event, 2 Travel Events (MLS NXT or ECNL National Event)

What to Expect for Travel:

Travel expenses for events can range from $800-$2,000 depending on the event location and length. Players who accept a spot on a Rapids Elite 11U/12U team are expected to participate in all games and travel events, which may include:

  • 11U: About 2 travel games/events per year
  • 12U: About 4 travel games/events per year

We follow individual travel for our Rapids Elite 11U/12U teams. This means players will travel and stay with their own families for the entirety of the trip.

Teams are responsible to cover the costs for:

Airfare, hotel, rental car(s), gas, meals/snacks, coach airfare, coach and chaperone(s) hotel, chaperone meals w/team, and coach per diem.

After a player commits to a team, and completes the registration, the player is considered registered to the club. Each player is bound to the club for the entire seasonal year, which runs from August 1 to May 31. Families have the option of paying in full or choosing a payment plan which requires an initial payment and the remaining balance is divided equally into four or eight installments. Each family is obligated to the full financial commitment, regardless of the choice made.

Once a player has committed to the team and submitted payment, a refund will not be processed by the club after that point.

  • Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club Fees Cover
    • Complete Administrative Support
    • Elite Performance Center (synthetic turf fields, match-fit grass field, indoor futsal courts, classrooms) including year-round programming and field plowing
    • Part- and full-time head coaches
    • Part-time assistant coaches
    • Sports Performance (in-season and off-season training/fitness program, support in areas of athletic performance, injury prevention, rehabilitation from injury)
    • Mental Performance Coach
    • Sports medicine support
    • Specialized player training

Please note: Travel expenses for flights, hotels, transportation, and more, as well as uniforms, and other additional expenses will be required throughout the season. You should expect an average of $1,000 per event in additional cost. This may vary depending on the location and length of the event.

Registration fees may be offset through need-based financial assistance and team fees may be offset through Club-sponsored fundraising including grocery rebate and bingo programs. Please see our website for additional information on these programs.

Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club Elite programming follows a strict no-refund policy. Once you and your player accept an invitation for a Rapids Elite 11U/12U, ECNL, EDS, or Futsal team, and make a payment, all registrations are non-refundable. The refund policy is in place for a reason. It allows us to budget appropriately and provides coaches, facilities, administration, and additional resources that are necessary to run a non-profit youth sports organization. 

The club may, however, in its sole discretion, consider refund requests under the following: (1) a player moves more than 50 miles from a Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club region prior to the start of the season, (2) a player becomes injured or ill and can no longer participate in the season, or (3) any other exigent circumstances the club deems necessary or appropriate. Please note that in order for refund requests to be considered due to injury, such requests must be made within two weeks of the player’s injury/illness and must include a physician’s note for verification. No refunds will be provided for any reason after the third scheduled game of the season. All refunds, if granted, are subject to a processing fee.

Any travel expenses, including plane tickets, transportation, accommodations, coaches’ travel expenses, and coaches’ per diems purchased for team travel are non-refundable.

Overview

About Rapids Elite 11U/12U

Our Rapids Elite 11U/12U program is 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 identify players early in advance of ECNL tryouts.

These players also get an opportunity to participate in futsal training at our Elite Performance Center @ Regis University, which is a great tool for player development. The futsal environment is fast-paced, improving the quality and speed with which players make decisions. We feel it can greatly benefit the individual technical development and ability to handle the ball in tight spaces. 

Selection Process

All Elite and Select 1 11U and 12U boys and girls are invited to attend kickarounds in the Spring. These typically are held in March through April and include 4-5 weekly kickarounds.

Players will then be selected and invited to join one of the Rapids Elite teams during the Player Selection Process which starts the Tuesday after Memorial Day. Any players who are not invited to a team are still eligible for ECNL tryouts once they reach the 13U age group, and we encourage them to continue playing with their region.

Dates & Deadlines

Key Dates:

  • March – April
    • Elite Training Centers (ETCs) for players who are interested in joining an 11U or 12U Rapids Elite team
    • Invite-only
    • Please fill out the Interest Form if you would like your player from an outside club to be evaluated
  • Memorial Day (end of May) – Early June
    • Players selected for teams
  • August
    • Practices Begin
  • August – December
    • Leagues, Friendlies and Events
  • January – May
    • Leagues, Friendlies and Events

11U Elite Schedule:

Fall (Aug>Dec):
  • League: 8 to 10 League Games
  • Fall Friendlies: 3 to 6 Games
  • Tournaments: 6 to 8 Games (1 CO Event, 1 Travel Event)
Spring (Jan>May):
  • League: 8 to 10 League Games
  • Tournaments: 9 to 13 Games (State Cup, 1 CO Event, 1 Travel Event)

12U Elite Schedule:

Fall (Aug>Dec):
  • League: 8 to 10 League Games
  • Fall Friendlies: 3 to 6 Games
  • Tournaments: 12 to 16 Games – State Cup, 1 CO Event, 2 Travel Events (MLS NXT or ECNL National Event)

Spring (Jan>May):

  • League: 8 to 10 League Games
  • Tournaments: 9 to 12 Games – 1 CO Event, 2 Travel Events (MLS NXT or ECNL National Event)
Travel Policy

What to Expect for Travel:

Travel expenses for events can range from $800-$2,000 depending on the event location and length. Players who accept a spot on a Rapids Elite 11U/12U team are expected to participate in all games and travel events, which may include:

  • 11U: About 2 travel games/events per year
  • 12U: About 4 travel games/events per year

We follow individual travel for our Rapids Elite 11U/12U teams. This means players will travel and stay with their own families for the entirety of the trip.

Teams are responsible to cover the costs for:

Airfare, hotel, rental car(s), gas, meals/snacks, coach airfare, coach and chaperone(s) hotel, chaperone meals w/team, and coach per diem.

Elite Fees

After a player commits to a team, and completes the registration, the player is considered registered to the club. Each player is bound to the club for the entire seasonal year, which runs from August 1 to May 31. Families have the option of paying in full or choosing a payment plan which requires an initial payment and the remaining balance is divided equally into four or eight installments. Each family is obligated to the full financial commitment, regardless of the choice made.

Once a player has committed to the team and submitted payment, a refund will not be processed by the club after that point.

  • Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club Fees Cover
    • Complete Administrative Support
    • Elite Performance Center (synthetic turf fields, match-fit grass field, indoor futsal courts, classrooms) including year-round programming and field plowing
    • Part- and full-time head coaches
    • Part-time assistant coaches
    • Sports Performance (in-season and off-season training/fitness program, support in areas of athletic performance, injury prevention, rehabilitation from injury)
    • Mental Performance Coach
    • Sports medicine support
    • Specialized player training

Please note: Travel expenses for flights, hotels, transportation, and more, as well as uniforms, and other additional expenses will be required throughout the season. You should expect an average of $1,000 per event in additional cost. This may vary depending on the location and length of the event.

Registration fees may be offset through need-based financial assistance and team fees may be offset through Club-sponsored fundraising including grocery rebate and bingo programs. Please see our website for additional information on these programs.

Refund Policy

Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club Elite programming follows a strict no-refund policy. Once you and your player accept an invitation for a Rapids Elite 11U/12U, ECNL, EDS, or Futsal team, and make a payment, all registrations are non-refundable. The refund policy is in place for a reason. It allows us to budget appropriately and provides coaches, facilities, administration, and additional resources that are necessary to run a non-profit youth sports organization. 

The club may, however, in its sole discretion, consider refund requests under the following: (1) a player moves more than 50 miles from a Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club region prior to the start of the season, (2) a player becomes injured or ill and can no longer participate in the season, or (3) any other exigent circumstances the club deems necessary or appropriate. Please note that in order for refund requests to be considered due to injury, such requests must be made within two weeks of the player’s injury/illness and must include a physician’s note for verification. No refunds will be provided for any reason after the third scheduled game of the season. All refunds, if granted, are subject to a processing fee.

Any travel expenses, including plane tickets, transportation, accommodations, coaches’ travel expenses, and coaches’ per diems purchased for team travel are non-refundable.

Rapids Elite 11s/12s Interest Form

Elite Performance Center

The Rapids Youth Soccer Elite Performance Center @ Regis University will be located at Regis’s historic Northwest Denver campus. Through this partnership, CRYSC Elite programming will gain access to:

  • Match-fit natural grass field;
  • Two indoor futsal courts;
  • Classrooms with state-of-the-art audio and visual equipment;
  • Auditoriums for player, coach, and parent education and meetings;
  • Two offices on campus for Elite staff (Clarke Hall);
  • On-field concessions;
  • Locker rooms, when necessary;
  • Residential dorm housing; and
  • On-site food options.
Regis-3

Player Expectations

Joining a Rapids Elite Team with the Rapids Youth Club is a commitment. It is a commitment of time, money, dedication and respect. We ask that all players who are invited to join a Rapids Elite team follow the player expectations below:

  • Attend all team trainings, meetings, tournaments, and events
    as dictated by elite coaching staff
  • Commit to a Rapids Elite team from August through May of the following year, following a 10 month training and competition curriculum
  • Maintain financial responsibility and pay team fees
  • Allocate significant time and energy to the technical, tactical,
    mental, and physical growth as a player both in a structured
    training setting and independently
  • Represent Rapids Youth Soccer with respect and humility

Elite 11s/12s Registration Fees

$3,380
Fall (August to December):
  • League: 8 to 10 League Games
  • Fall Friendlies: 3 to 6 Games
  • Tournaments: 6 to 8 Games (11U); 12 to 16 Games (12U)
Spring (January to May):
  • League: 8 to 10 League Games
  • Fall Friendlies: 3 to 4 Games
  • Tournaments: 9 to 13 Games

Rapids Youth Soccer =

Rapids Elite 11s/12s Program Staff Members

Staff Member

Title

Contact

¿Habla
Español?

Ryan Rademacher

Elite 11s/12s Boys Director

[email protected]
719.377.3979

No

Ryan  Rademacher

Elite 11s/12s Boys Director

Ryan and his wife are moving to us from Houston, Texas. He grew up all over the country before his family settled in Wisconsin.  Ryan attended St. Mary's University of Minnesota majoring in mathematics while playing collegiate soccer. His coaching journey began in New York primarily in the coaching education and the Pre-Academy at New York Red Bulls. He spent 3 years coaching within the Orlando City Development Academy before taking an MLS Next Director role at Total Football Club in Houston. Ryan has numerous friends and family in the area and if anyone ever is looking to offload their Broncos, Nuggets or Avalanche tickets, let him know!

Habla Español?: No

Sebastian Giraldo

Regional Technical Director / Interim Girls ECNL Director - Elite

[email protected]
719.301.0742

Sebastian  Giraldo

Regional Technical Director / Interim Girls ECNL Director - Elite

Sebastian is originally from Pamplona, Colombia and has spent time with soccer clubs in Michigan, Texas, and Tennessee. He holds a Ph.D. in Elite Athlete Development from the University of Texas-Austin and a US Soccer A License. He also works with US Soccer Coach Education and is involved with several research initiatives examining elite youth soccer athletes and coach education.
Sebastian comes to Rapids Youth Soccer from US Soccer where he operated as a Coach Education Instructor on USSF Licenses and Grassroots Courses across the country. Additionally, he brings a wealth of experience from club-level, where he has held multiple positions in education and coaching methodology at San Antonio City SC and South Texas FC. Sebastian’s high-quality coaching background includes time spent in the ECNL, GA, ODP, and as Head Coach of USL League Two club Corpus Christi FC. At CRYSC, he will be using his experience and understanding of the youth soccer landscape to enhance and support the development of Central staff, coaches, and players.

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