Development Academy Update

Contributors:
Donald Gillies - Technical Director
Ben Martisius - Director of Marketing and Communications

Dear Rapids Youth Players, Parents, and Coaches,

There have been a lot of questions nationally from players, teams, coaches, and clubs in the last 24 hours surrounding the news that U.S. Soccer will terminate Development Academy operations effective immediately. For Rapids Youth Soccer, it’s an exciting time to have strong existing ties with both ECNL and MLS, programs we believe have not only risen to the top, but have become the pre-eminent elite programs in the nation for college and professional consideration.

The conversation regarding the possibility of U.S. Soccer discontinuing Development Academy operations has been ongoing for over a year and the situation with COVID-19 has only sped up the timing of what was believed to be inevitable either way. Leading up to U.S. Soccer’s decision, both Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) and Major League Soccer (MLS) have positioned themselves over the last few years to provide the best level of competition nationally on both the boys and girls side. These leagues will not only continue to provide CRYSC players the best opportunity to showcase themselves in the best soccer environments in the United States, but with the termination of the Development Academy, ECNL and MLS now become the only dominant pathways for players in elite programming in the United States.

This January we announced our decision to depart the U.S. Development Academy on the boys side to focus on the boys ECNL and MLS programming. After close analysis, we felt that committing our full pathway to ECNL and MLS would provide a clearer pathway, higher standard, and altogether better experience for our players. We had confidence in that decision at the time and the recent announcements only serve to confirm that we are in the best possible place for youth soccer in the country.

Additionally, last year, we made the decision to continue with girls ECNL in lieu of transitioning to the girls Development Academy as ECNL has consistently shown their ability to give our female players the best opportunity for college recruitment and beyond.

Because of the Development Academy’s announcement to terminate operations, other “elite” options are emerging in what some see as a volatile youth soccer environment. For many players, teams, and clubs locally and nationally, the future of their elite programming is unknown, and while we’ll always continue to evaluate the best options for our players, we’ve made decisions leading up to yesterday’s announcement that have already positioned our players, teams, and Club for sustainable long-term success. We’ve expected this and have prepared for it. Rapids Youth Soccer is a top 100 club and the national leader in college soccer placements. In partnership with ECNL and MLS, we’ll continue to support and guide our players in the nations top leagues to reach their full potential and give each player the best opportunity of any club nationally to be successful.

There is nothing you need to do at this time, nor anything to be worried about in the near or long-term. Should you have any immediate questions regarding our position, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your coach or club director.

Best,

Donald-Sig

Donald Gillies
CRYSC Technical Director

Contributors:
Donald Gillies
Technical Director
[email protected]719.377.5479

Donald and his family moved to Colorado from their home in Hamilton, Scotland in August 2019.
Donald’s career began in Scottish soccer, where he would move through the ranks of the Scottish Football Association, before eventually becoming the Head of Girls’ and Women’s Football in 2016. The titles that Donald has held within the Scottish FA include Football Development Manager, South West Girls 16U Regional Performance Head Coach, Pro-Youth Education Manager, and Girls’ and Women’s Development Officer in the South West Region.

His study of the game, outside of the Scottish FA, includes completing his degree in Advanced Football Management at the University of Lausanne. Switzerland and earning multiple UEFA licenses. Donald’s journey has allowed him to view soccer development at every level and age in Scotland and Europe, as well as impact this development from his various roles.

Donald and his tight-knit family of six have loved Colorado, and the wonderful people living there.

Donald and his family moved to Colorado from their home in Hamilton, Scotland in August 2019.
Donald’s career began in Scottish soccer, where he would move through the ranks of the Scottish Football Association, before eventually becoming the Head of Girls’ and Women’s Football in 2016. The titles that Donald has held within the Scottish FA include Football Development Manager, South West Girls 16U Regional Performance Head Coach, Pro-Youth Education Manager, and Girls’ and Women’s Development Officer in the South West Region.

His study of the game, outside of the Scottish FA, includes completing his degree in Advanced Football Management at the University of Lausanne. Switzerland and earning multiple UEFA licenses. Donald’s journey has allowed him to view soccer development at every level and age in Scotland and Europe, as well as impact this development from his various roles.

Donald and his tight-knit family of six have loved Colorado, and the wonderful people living there.

Ben Martisius
Director of Marketing and Communications
[email protected]719.394.8561

Ben Martisius grew up in Monroe, Louisiana where he played soccer through high school, and attended Louisiana State University to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications. Prior to graduating, he completed a minor in German during a year abroad in Innsbruck, Austria at the Universität Innsbruck. In 2014, Ben moved to Denver, Colorado to attend graduate school at the University of Denver and earn his Master's degree in Strategic Communications. While in school, he took a communications role with the university's alumni advancement team, and has since worked for a local gym as a Marketing Specialist, and multiple clients as the Digital Marketing Specialist for Domoto Brands, LLC. In 2018, he was hired by Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club as the Communications Manager and found a perfect role for merging his passion for Marketing and Communications with soccer. After two years of overseeing communications at the Club, he was promoted to the Director of Marketing and Communications. In his personal life, Ben likes to go snowboarding, enjoy the outdoors during the summer, play guitar, bass guitar, or piano, watch or play soccer, and spend time with friends and family. He's also passionate about travel and wants to see as much of the world and experience as many cultures as possible.

Ben Martisius grew up in Monroe, Louisiana where he played soccer through high school, and attended Louisiana State University to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications. Prior to graduating, he completed a minor in German during a year abroad in Innsbruck, Austria at the Universität Innsbruck. In 2014, Ben moved to Denver, Colorado to attend graduate school at the University of Denver and earn his Master's degree in Strategic Communications. While in school, he took a communications role with the university's alumni advancement team, and has since worked for a local gym as a Marketing Specialist, and multiple clients as the Digital Marketing Specialist for Domoto Brands, LLC. In 2018, he was hired by Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club as the Communications Manager and found a perfect role for merging his passion for Marketing and Communications with soccer. After two years of overseeing communications at the Club, he was promoted to the Director of Marketing and Communications. In his personal life, Ben likes to go snowboarding, enjoy the outdoors during the summer, play guitar, bass guitar, or piano, watch or play soccer, and spend time with friends and family. He's also passionate about travel and wants to see as much of the world and experience as many cultures as possible.

Related posts

Partner of the Following Leagues

Download our Team App

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store
(C) Rapids Youth Soccer 2023  |  Privacy Policy  |  Education. Inspiration. Excellence