We’re in This Together: Coaches, Players, Parents, Directors

As the spring season winds down and we shift toward summer, now is the perfect time to reflect on what makes development at Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club special. While our coaches plan sessions and our players give their all on the field, the truth is: real development doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when we all lean in—coaches, players, parents, and directors—working together to support each child’s journey.

At CRYSC, we believe that shared responsibility is the foundation of meaningful youth development. When we all understand our role in the process, players are more confident, resilient, and motivated to learn—not just to win.

Every person in a player’s soccer life plays a role in shaping how they grow—not just as athletes, but as learners, teammates, and people.

Coaches

• Create game-realistic training environments based on fun, development, belonging, and safety
• Promote learning through guided discovery and high standards
• Model growth mindset, resilience, and care

Players

• Bring energy, curiosity, and effort to training
• Learn to take ownership of their development
• Reflect on mistakes, try again, and support their teammates

Parents & Guardians

• Reinforce the importance of effort over outcomes
• Ask questions that promote reflection (“What did you learn today?”)
• Trust the process—even when the results aren’t immediate

Directors & Club Leadership

• Set the standards for development and coach education
• Align programs with our Game Model and Key Qualities
• Create safe, supportive environments for everyone involved

Our shared purpose, “The Heart Behind the Crest,” is more than a slogan. It means we are united by a deeper mission: to help kids grow through soccer. Not just as players, but as confident, thoughtful, and resilient people. This doesn’t happen in one training session or one weekend. It happens over time, across thousands of moments—moments where coaches, parents, and teammates say: “We believe in you. Keep going.”

• At practice: Coaches prepare engaging sessions, parents get players there on time and encourage them to engage in the learning process, and players show up ready to learn.
• On the sideline: Parents cheer (but don’t steer) respectfully and focus on effort, coaches manage the game through learning moments, and players try their best regardless of the score.
• After the game: Parents ask reflective questions, coaches provide specific feedback, players process the experience, and set goals for the week ahead.
• In the summer: Directors offer workshops and resources, coaches plan for next season, players rest and recover, and families reconnect to what matters most.

While the official season may be winding down, CRYSC continues to offer engaging summer camps for players of all levels. These are opportunities for kids to stay active, build skills, make friends, and have fun in a positive, development-focused environment.

Check out our full list of CRYSC Summer Camps on our website. Whether your player is new to soccer or looking to sharpen skills for the next level, there’s a program for them!

If you’re a coach—or looking to grow as one—stay tuned for our upcoming Coaching Newsletter, where we’ll feature:

• Details on the Summer Coaching Workshops
• U.S. Soccer licensing course opportunities
• The Phase 2 launch of our online learning system
• Tools to help you reflect, grow, and recharge this summer

In the meantime, view our full list of summer courses here: CRYSC Summer Coaching Course Offerings

When we work together, we’re not just building better players. We’re building:

• Better problem-solvers
• Better teammates
• Better communicators
• Better humans

So as we head into summer, let’s keep leaning into this shared journey. Let’s support each other, learn from each other, and continue to raise the standard together.

Your voice, your support, and your presence matter. Whether you’re on the sidelines, at a coaching workshop, or helping your child lace up their cleats—you’re part of something bigger. Thank you for being part of our CRYSC community.

Let’s keep growing. Together.
– Zac Crawford, CRYSC Chief Technical Director

Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club (CRYSC) serves approximately 10,000 players ages three through 19, beginner to elite, in year-round leagues, camps, and tournaments. As a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CRYSC has been named a top 15 youth soccer club in the U.S. by Soccerwire and the top youth soccer club in Colorado by Colorado Parent Magazine. 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.