Rapids Classic | AUGUST

Pre-Registration Details

Teams should register and play according to the 2023 Fall season. We will follow US Soccer’s Age Group Guidelines based on birth year. Elite Divisions will comprise the highest level of teams registered. You should register your team for placement according to the below hierarchy: 

• ELITE Division – ECNL, ECRL, E64, DPL, GAL, or Equivalent Elite Leagues
• GOLD Division – CSA Champions League Teams P1-P3
• SILVER Division – CSA Centennial Elite, Platinum, & stronger Gold teams
• BRONZE Division – Centennial Silver, Bronze, and Recreational teams

The placement of teams is dependent on the composition of applicants in each age group. The suggested hierarchy above is a perfect-case scenario. Some divisions may be structured differently. For example, if there are no teams from CSA P1 or P2 that apply, then the Gold Divisions would be composed of CSA P3 & CSA Elite teams. 

Early Bird Registration, Registration Deadline, & Waitlists:

• Early Bird Pricing will end on July 11th, 2024.
  • A $100 Late Registration Fee will apply after 11:59 PM on July 11th, 2024.

• The FINAL Registration Deadline will be at 5:00 PM on July 18th, 2024.
  • Teams waitlisted will be notified no later than July 18th, 2024 of their acceptance into the event.
• Waitlists:
  • If your team is waitlisted, this means that your age group might be filled to capacity. If you are waitlisted, please contact Tournament Staff for clarification on your application status.
  • Click HERE to email our staff!

Acceptance Process:

• Acceptances have begun!
• If your team is traveling for this event, please reach out directly to check the status of your application.
• We can accept teams early who are traveling to allow for ample time to reserve accommodations. 

Payment Process:

• • Payment is NOT processed when you register or when you are accepted.
  • Teams can pay their own fees online through the following steps:
    • Log into GotSport and click on “Team Management”, then “Registrations”.
    • In “Registrations”, click on the team name next to “Rapids Classic – 2024”
    • In the registration pop-up, at the top click on “Billing”.
    • In “Billing”, click on “Pay Now” next to “TOTAL BALANCE”.
  • All payments MUST be completed before August 2nd, 2024!
  • Any unpaid fees will be charged to the card on file on August 2nd, 2024.

Bracketing, Ranking & Schedule Information

Bracket Structures:

All teams are guaranteed a minimum of three (3) games, weather permitting. The bracket size for each age group will determine group formats. Single-age brackets will be standard, while combined-age brackets may occur based on registration numbers. The tournament organizer will determine brackets.

• 4-team bracket – 3-game round robin with two highest point teams playing in a championship.
• 5-team bracket – 4-game round robin with the highest point team as champion.
• 6-team bracket – Two 3-team groups with cross-bracket group play. Each team will play 3 games, one against each team in the opposite group. The top 2 teams overall will play in a final. 
• 8-team bracket – Two 4-team groups, with the top team in each group playing in the final.

Ranking Process:

• Once registration is closed, teams in each age group are ranked numerically, starting with 1.
• Rankings are based on:

1. The difficulty of your League Schedule (I.e., what division you are in)
2. Most recent League Standings & Records (I.e., how well you did in that league)
3. Future team placement by CSA (I.e., if CSA is moving you up or down)
4. League Goal Differential (I.e., Helps differentiate teams in similar league standing)
5. Questions answered within our Application Process
6. The “Soccer Rankings” App is used as a final cross-reference for team placement based on their team ratings built from sourcing records from over 400 soccer databases.

• Once rankings are complete, teams are seeded in groups based on their ranking in a “Snake” placement order.
  • 6-Team Group Example: Group A = 1, 4, & 5  |  Group B = 2, 3, & 6
  • 8-Team Group Example: Group A = 1, 4, 5, & 8  |  Group B = 2, 3, 6, & 7
• This is the standard ranking procedure for top youth sports tournaments across the country.

Schedule Information:

• Schedules will be released to teams on August 1st, 2024.
• Teams will have 24 hours to review schedules and request changes, all changes are subject to staff authorization, and no guarantees can be made.
• If you have any special requests, please reach out early before July 18th and let us know! We will do our best to accommodate, but can not make any guarantees.
• Example:  “Our team is driving from Vail, please do not schedule us later than 5 PM and earlier than 9 AM”

Expected Locations for Teams:

• 11v11 – SOME at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park (Grass), Some @ Broomfield Commons (Turf) & Some at ASP (Turf/Grass)
• 9v9 – MOST at Gates South Complex (Grass), Some at Dove Valley (Grass), Broomfield Commons (Grass/Turf), Aurora Sports Park (Turf & East Pods), and DSGP (Grass)
• 7v7 – MOST at Gates North Complex (Grass), Some at Aurora Sports Park (Grass) and Dove Valley (Grass)

Projected Times of Games:

• Thursday, August 15th, 2024:
  • 7v7 – Some local teams will  play between 5:30 PM and 9:30 PM
  • 9v9 – Some local teams will  play between 5:30 PM and 9:30 PM
  • 11v11 – Some local teams will play between 5:30 PM and 9:30 PM
• Friday, August 16th, 2024:
  • 7v7 – Some teams MAY play from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM (All teams eligible, including out-of-state teams)
  • 9v9 – Some teams MAY play from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM (All teams eligible, including out-of-state teams)
  • 11v11 – Some teams MAY play from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM (All teams eligible, including out-of-state teams)
• Saturday, August 17th, 2024:
  • All ages, all day from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM
• Sunday, August 18th, 2024:
  • All ages, all day from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM

Teams Traveling From Out of State or Far Distances:

• Thursday & Friday should used as travel days to arrive in Denver, Colorado.
• If you plan to travel on Friday, please plan to arrive in Denver BEFORE 3:00 PM on Friday, 8/16/2024.
• Teams traveling far distances WILL NOT have games on Thursday.
• Friday games after 5:30 PM ARE a possibility for ALL teams.
• ALL TEAMS staying in hotels must use Traveling Team services to assist their stay in Colorado. Contact info can be found in the “Lodging” tab above.

Documentation Needed for Roster Verification:

You will need to upload documents into GotSport for verification:

• Event Roster: Build a roster in GotSport’s Roster Builder. (CLICK FOR VIDEO TUTORIAL)
• Player ID Cards PDF (If your team is NOT USYS or if your roster does NOT have pictures)
  • All non-USYS teams must submit player ID cards with their roster. 
  • All teams whose roster does NOT have pictures must submit Player ID cards as a PDF.
• Medical Forms PDF
  • All non-CRYSC teams must submit medical forms!
  • CRYSC teams DO NOT need to upload forms, as we have yours on file.
  • Click HERE – Medical Forms | USYS
• Guest Player Form – Google Survey (*If needed*) 
  • Complete the Google survey form linked below for your guest players! 
  • CRYSC Tournaments Guest Player Form Survey
  • We are NO LONGER doing PDF or paper Guest Forms. 

Please contact your club if you have trouble locating these forms in your respective system!

5-Step Roster Approval Process:

1. Upload Medical & Guest Player Docs into your GotSport Registration.

• Please review our “CRYSC Tournaments Guest Player Policy” – Click HERE.
• Complete the Google survey form linked below for your guest players! 
  • CRYSC Tournaments Guest Player Form Survey
  • We are NO LONGER doing PDF or paper Guest Forms. 
  • Only needed if your team has guest players who are NOT on the approved roster.
• Medical Forms should be uploaded as a PDF document.
• Medical forms MUST be collated into ONE file. They can not be uploaded one form at a time.
• Click HERE to watch – “How to Upload Your PDFs After Registering”

2. Build Your Event Roster into GotSport.

• All teams must build their roster within the GotSport Roster Builder located in your team’s Event Roster tab in your GotSport Account. 
• You can add and subtract players, coaches, etc., through this system. 
• Click HERE to watch – “How to Build Your Team Roster in GotSport”
• There are NO exceptions to this. PDF rosters will NOT be accepted. 

3. Wait For Your Approved Roster to Be Approved & Emailed to you.

• ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY WEDNESDAY, JULY 31ST!
• Once you have built your roster in GotSport, the Tournament Staff will review rosters. 
• Once verified, Staff will put a RED STAMP on the UPPER RIGHT corner of the PDF.
• Once it has been stamped, the team coach & manager will be emailed the approved roster.
• As long as your roster in this email is correct, you DO NOT need to respond.
• If the roster you receive via email is INCORRECT, please contact staff immediately!
• Teams Who Submitted A Guest Player Form:
  • The survey you completed is made into a “Proof of Guest Player Approval” document. 
  • This document will be stamped & included in the email with your Roster. 
• Teams will receive an approved roster no later than Thursday, July 8th!

4. Prepare Your Team Families For A Successful Weekend.

• Review the Rapids Classic Rules & Regulations – Click HERE!
• Communicate our “No-Pet Policy” to your team families! – Click HERE 
• Review our “Let Us Play – Sideline Conduct Policy” – Click HERE” 
  • Spectators & sidelines with inappropriate behavior *could* face POINT DEDUCTIONS.

5. Prepare Documents For Team Check-In.

• A Team Rep MUST check in at the Event HQ at your facility 1 HOUR before your first game!
  • Your “Team Rep” can be the coach, assistant coach, or team manager. 
• You will need to show proof of approved PDF forms via an electronic device!
  • Save PDF files to your phone! (Google Drive, Apple Files Drive, Etc.)
  • Or… pull up the email that contained your approved roster PDF.
• Check-In Google Form: 
  • You will complete a quick 1-min Google Form that will complete your check-in process.
  • A QR code will be at the HQ Tent for you to scan or;
  • A tablet will be at the HQ Tent for you to use & complete the form.

Roster Approval Timeline:

• Roster Uploading/Building will close at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, July 31st.
• All teams will receive an approved roster no later than 5:00 PM on Thursday, August 8th.

*Rec Teams Who Need Help!*

• As an event that accepts certain recreational teams, we acknowledge that some teams are being run by parents who are very new to this process.
• Please do not hesitate to contact for assistance, as we are committed to simplifying this process for all teams involved.
• Please contact [email protected] for more information!

Roster Checks Before Games:

• Referees WILL check the rosters printed on the Game Cards before each match. 
• Referees WILL perform a safety/equipment check-in.
• Referees WILL NOT collect any documents from teams. 
• Referees will inquire with tournament staff if there are any questions regarding player eligibility.

The On-Site Team Check-In Process

Check-In Requirements:

At Check-In, you will need to show electronic documentation proof of:

1. Approved Roster (PDF)
   • This is the Roster that was emailed to you with the RED stamp.
2. Medical Forms (PDF)
3. Guest player Survey Confirmation (Email)
   1. After you complete the online survey form, you will receive a confirmation email that you submitted the form.
   2. Show this confirmation email at Check-In.

Check-In Process:

You will need to show proof of approved PDF forms via an electronic device!

• This is the Roster that was emailed to you.
• Save PDF files to your phone! (Google Drive, Apple Files Drive, Etc.)
• Or… pull up the email that contained your approved roster PDF.

Complete Check-In Google Form @ HQ Tent Where Your First Game Is Located

• ONE Team Rep MUST check in at the Event HQ at your pod 1 HOUR before your first game!
• Your “Team Rep” can be the Head Coach, Assistant Coach, or Team Manager.
• Whoever is checking the team in will complete a quick 1-minute Google Survey to complete your check-in process.
• A QR code will be at the HQ Tent for you to scan!

Check-In Expectations:

In no event will a player be allowed to participate who has not been certified by the Rapids Tournament Staff Credentials Committee. Once play has started in the first scheduled game, no players may be added to the roster for the remainder of the tournament.

Tournament officials approve all team rosters and eligible players. Proof of team check-in with the tournament will be visible on the team’s tournament roster.  Referees will review individual player credentials prior to each game. Referees will perform a safety/equipment check-in.  Referees will inquire with tournament staff if there are any questions regarding player eligibility.

Weather, Extreme Conditions, & Cancellations

The Tournament Leadership staff is committed to providing exceptional experiences for our participants. Weather is never in our control, but how we plan, prepare, and react to anything that comes our way is under our control. We stand united to provide clear communication, best-case-scenario solutions, and do everything in our power to play all games at every event we host. Regardless of the weather, all teams are expected to arrive at their fields on time unless otherwise indicated by the Tournament Director. 

Most Important Weather-Related Information:

1. Where To Find Weather-Related Updates
   1. Posts Online: Weather updates will be posted online in real-time in 2 locations:
      • Location 1: The GotSport Schedule Page (Event Alert @ Top of Page)
      • Location 2: The Tournament Website (Event Alert @ Top of Page)
      • These will be updated within 15 minutes from when a delay starts.
   2. Announcements On-Site: Event Staff will make on-site announcements:
      • Facility Speaker System: Some facilities have Speakers that will be used.
      • Bull Horns: Event Staff will also have multiple bull horns & make
        announcements while driving on golf carts through parking lots.
      • Announcements will be made in real-time as updates come across.
2. Games Past Halftime are Called FINAL after 60 minutes of Dealys
   • If a delay exceeds 60 minutes, any games in progress will be called final at their time of stoppage if a game has reached halftime or is in the second half.
3. Weather-Related Refund Policy:
   • 80% refund – The event is canceled entirely due to weather or any other external forces.
   • 60% refund – If only 1 game is played of the 3 guaranteed games.
   • 30% refund – If only 2 games are played of the 3 guaranteed games.
4. Weather-Monitoring Software:
   • State-of-the-art radar software (WX Sentry) is used to make weather-based decisions.
   • The software can read storm speed/direction, strength/size, and any lightning strikes that may be within a 30-mile radius, 15-mile radius, and 10-mile radius.
   • Only WxSentry will be used to make weather-related decisions.

We have partnered with Tournament Housing Services (THS) to handle our housing needs. Teams and families in need of overnight accommodations are encouraged to Stay & Save by booking through our official housing service. THS offers access to exclusive, discounted hotel options conveniently located near the tournament playing sites.  With legendary customer support, THS is certain to deliver a seamless housing experience while you Stay, Play, and Save!

Contact THS with any housing questions:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 908-979-0928
• Toll-Free: 888-536-8326

STAY and SAVE with THS to take advantage of the benefits below and so much more. Here are the 6 major benefits of booking with THS:

• Real-Time Hotel Availability
• Lowest Rate Guarantee
• No Hidden Booking Fees
• Flexible Cancellations & Change Policies
• Team-Friendly Group Block Tools
• Day of Arrival & Post Event Support

Rapids Classic Referee Information

Want a “better” referee? Sign up for classes, study hard, and YOU can be the change our community craves!

**Under NO circumstances are spectators, coaches, or players allowed to verbally or physically abuse referees. This shortage does have a direct correlation to the poor treatment of youth soccer referees across the US. Any unacceptable behavior will result in your removal from our facilities.**

Do You Want To Referee At the Rapids Classic?

Please email our assignor, Deanna, at [email protected]

CSA Referee Administration

• Esse Baharmast – Director of Referees
• Deanna Duncan-Allen – Director of Game Assignment/Referee Registration

Colorado Referee Committee:

• Esse Baharmast Interim State Referee Administrator / State Youth Referee Administrator
• Scott McCaslin, State Director of Referee Development
• Younes Marrakchi, State Director of Assignment

Referee Disciplinary Committee:

• Megan McCain
• Chair #2 – TBD
• Chair #3 – TBD
• [email protected]