This June and July, the Rapids 10B South Select team visited Ireland and Northern Ireland to travel around the countries, play against local competition, and immerse themselves in a new soccer culture!
Rapids High School Boys Visit Germany
International Soccer Tours
Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club (CRYSC), one of the nation’s largest and most trusted youth soccer organizations, offers international, educational soccer tours for CRYSC membership. These international soccer trips include fully customized itineraries, access to world-renowned youth academies and facilities, and an opportunity for players, coaches, and families to expand their horizons while being immersed in a soccer culture.
Trips will be offered for players across all five regions of the Club. Competitive & Elite Program members will have access to at least three trips from 11U through 19U, with each trip targeting a unique soccer destination in Europe. In addition to club-wide travel offerings, individual teams from any region, age, program, and level can work with the Director of Club and International Partnerships, Jeff Oleck, to create their own specific trip experience. The role of the Director of Club and International Partnerships is to provide members with a seamless experience from trip sign-up to tour departure.
Jeff Oleck is CRYSC’s residential international traveler and former Director of Goalkeeping. Jeff has planned and overseen dozens of international trips for soccer players, alongside his passion project as a core representative for Field of Dreams Uganda – a non-profit organization that provides hope, empowerment, and a future to the vulnerable children in Uganda through the vehicles of soccer and education.
Jeff Oleck
Director of Club & Intl. Partnerships
USSF “A” License
Traveler, 23 Countries Visited
[email protected]
303.399.5858 Ext. 207
2023 Trip Slate
| Competitive Age Group | Destination | Travel Dates | Registration Deadline |
| 2011 (12U) BOYS | London & Manchester | March 11-19, 2023 | November 20, 2022 |
| 2011 (12U) GIRLS | London & Manchester | March 18-26, 2023 | November 27, 2022 |
| 2009 (14U) BOYS | Barcelona & Madrid | March 11-19, 2023 | November 20, 2022 |
| 2009 (14U) GIRLS | Barcelona & Madrid | March 18-26, 2023 | November 27, 2022 |
| 2006-04 (17U-19U) BOYS | Munich & Salzburg | January 14-22, 2023 | September 26, 2022 |
| 2006-04 (17U-19U) GIRLS | N/A | Tour Cancelled | N/A |
2023 International Trips General Timeline
Phase 1: Trip Announcement & Trip Meeting via Zoom
Usually held 8-10 months prior to travel. Review of the itinerary, education about fundraising and payment plans, and registration opens.
Phase 2: Early Registration Discount Window
Registrants will receive a $150 discount if they register within 10 days of the trip meeting.
Phase 3: Fundraising
Once registered, individuals can take advantage of the Gift of Sport or Manchester United Raffle fundraising resources provided by WorldStrides Sports. Teams/groups can also facilitate their own fundraising in their local regions and communities. Click here to view the WorldStrides Fundraising Guide!
Phase 4: Registration Deadline
Trip registration will close 120 days prior to the departure date. This allows WorldStrides Sports to finalize ticketing, tours, hotels, and soccer content.
Phase 5: Prepare to Travel!
CRYSC Coaching staff will facilitate training sessions prior to departure in order to familiarize players with one another. Pre-Departure meetings will be held to finalize the itinerary, review packing list, and answer any questions from participants.
International Tours Video
Find Your Trip On The Map
#CRYSCInternational Testimonials
“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.”
Ryan & Elaine, Rapids South Parents, Ireland ’22
“Playing against elite youth in England was eye-opening. The physicality and intensity were like nothing our boys had seen before. There’s only so much you can learn in a week on the pitch, but what really stuck with him was how good you have to be to continue to play at an elite level. It was humbling, yet amazingly beneficial. Even three years later, we still talk about the stadium tours, the scrimmages, the landmarks, the hotels, the friends and the fun we had.”
Robert & Christina, Rapids Central Parents, England ’19
“Our 2022 summer trip to Ireland was a life changer not only for my son but also for me. We saw firsthand the passion for soccer, history, and culture during each stop along the way. The behind-the-scenes access was incredible! I had been to Ireland before but this was an entirely different and deeper experience. Seeing my son’s jaw drop at not only the level of soccer talent but also the national and natural treasures have left a lasting impression on him. I personally loved getting to know the families better and seeing them on the sidelines today is a whole different ball game. Most importantly, the bonds the boys formed having traveled and played internationally will pay them dividends for a lifetime!”
Greg B, Rapids South Parent, Ireland ’22
“The CRYSC Ireland tour provided players and families an opportunity to be immersed in the unique history and culture of the Emerald Isle while experiencing soccer at the top level. On the field, we tested ourselves against Ireland’s best within the age group, trained in National training grounds, and shared the experience of working alongside Ireland’s top youth soccer coaches. An opportunity of a lifetime and an honor to share my soccer roots with all involved.”
Daniel Agnew, Rapids Team Coach, Ireland ’22
News About CRYSC International
Rapids South 10B Select Team Takes in the Soccer and Culture of Ireland
This June and July, the Rapids 10B South Select team visited Ireland and Northern Ireland to travel around the countries, play against local competition, and immerse themselves in a new soccer culture!
Rapids Youth Soccer Staff Volunteer In Uganda
This winter, Rapids Youth Soccer staff members, Brenda Hause, Jasmine Basile, and Kati Dugan, packed up 300 lbs of donated clothing and equipment from our CRYSC members and traveled around the globe to bring them to Uganda!
Rapids 08B Central Select Team Travel To The United Kingdom
The Rapids 08 Central Select boys traveled overseas this July to experience football (soccer) culture in the United Kingdom, making stops in England and Wales!
Rapids 08B Select Central Team To Travel & Compete In England
The Rapids 08B Select Central team is headed overseas to England this summer, where they will visit and compete with youth academy programs from famed English Premier League and EFL Championship clubs!
#CRYSCInternational By The Numbers
📰‼️📰 The CRYSC February Newsletter is out now, featuring spring rec registration, Summer College ID event info, a recap of the #CRYSCInternational trip to Germany, spring break futsal camp opportunities, & more! Check it out 👉 cry.sc/February-23
#OneClubOneCommunity
☘️✈️☘️ Our Rapids 10B South Select team landed in Ireland this week for an overseas adventure where they will get to experience soccer in a new culture!! Safe travels & enjoy the trip guys! #CRYSCInternational #OneClubOneCommunity
The rapidsyouthsoccer South Region 2010 Boys` team scores the final goal to tie their game against ballymenautd in Ireland this week (1-1). The team had a blast celebrating after the game with their coach! #WorldStrides #SportsTravel #CRYSCInternational
🇮🇪🤝🇺🇸 A HUGE thank you to Linfield F.C. Academy, @ballymenaunitedya, & @shamrockroversofficialacademy for hosting our Rapids 10B South Select team in Ireland & Northern Ireland!! An unforgettable experience - the boys had an absolute blast! #OneClubOneCommunity #cryscinternational
✈️🇮🇪📰 NEW BLOG ➡️ cry.sc/Ireland-22
Our Rapids 10B South Select team had an amazing opportunity to travel to Ireland & Northern Ireland, immersing themselves in Irish culture & soccer. Check out the recap of their experience in our latest blog by CRYSC Director of Club & Intl Partnerships, Jeff Oleck! #CRYSCInternational #OneClubOneCommunity
🚨🌎✈️ Deadlines are approaching for our 2023 international soccer tours!! CRYSC international tours are a great way to experience soccer through the lens of a different culture! Learn more & sign up for the perfect trip 👉 cry.sc/international-23 #CRYSCInternational #OneClubOneCommunity
📰‼️📰 The CRYSC July Newsletter is out now, featuring our LAST CALL to play fall rec soccer, @corapidswomen #WPSLChampionship & #CRYSCGirlsECNL 06G Ntl Finals runs, #CRYSCInternational Ireland trip, #RapidsEducate sessions, & more!! Check it out 👉 cry.sc/July-2022 #OneClubOneCommunity
📰‼️📰 The CRYSC September Newsletter is OUT NOW, featuring 2022 winter soccer opportunities, 6 new blogs, #CRYSCInternational tours, a last call for Big Wave Jamboree, & more!! Check it out 👉 cry.sc/September-2022
#OneClubOneCommunity
International Soccer Tours | FAQ
How are the travel dates decided upon?
In collaboration with Regional Technical Directors and Coaching Directors, the travel dates for each age group take into consideration: soccer season rhythm, tournament & showcase conflicts, destination pricing, destination’s soccer season rhythm, and minimizing school absences. We understand that trip dates will not perfectly fit everyone’s individual schedule, but by announcing trips 8-10 months in advance we hope that players & families can plan ahead for any missed school, soccer, or social events.
Will players from different team levels be combined?
Depending on the trip registrations from each team, there may be opportunities for players from different team levels to be combined in order to form a viable travel & playing roster. Our goal will always be to create the most competitive roster for enjoyment and parity.
My player’s age group does not have a group trip this year, can his/her team travel independently?
Yes! Teams that have an interest in traveling as a group may work with the Director of Club and International Partnerships to create a custom trip for their team. We encourage the team to survey the desire amongst the team 10-12 months prior to potential travel dates so that plenty of time can be allocated to designing the itinerary and fundraising.
Does WorldStrides Sports offer fundraising opportunities?
Yes! Upon registration for any of our trips, participants will have access to their online travel portal which contains the “Gift of Sport” fundraiser and the Manchester United Raffle. Both avenues allow players to keep 100% of funds raised and apply it to their trip costs. Players & Teams can also create group fundraisers prior to travel and use the WorldStrides “Fundraising Guide” as a resource for ideas.
Are payment plans available if I cannot pay in full?
Absolutely. Upon registration, only a deposit is required and then families can decide to set up a payment plan from the options provided HERE.
