As we close out the year, I want to take a moment to thank every coach across the Club for your commitment to creating truly player-centered environments. This is our final Coach Development Newsletter of 2025, and it feels fitting to end by celebrating what we’ve built together — not just in programs or plans, but in shared habits, aligned language, and the daily behaviors that shape our players’ experience.

Throughout the year, we leaned into our technical plan with intention. Through the monthly CLIMB, through our Coach Development newsletters, and through countless conversations on fields and in classrooms, we lived the cycle of Plan–Do–Review. We experimented, reflected, learned, and adjusted. And because of that, alignment and learning didn’t stay ideas — they became culture.

This year, we explored how players learn through games-based environments (February), how they grow through a growth mindset (March), how they understand the game through better perception and decision-making (April), and how joy, belonging, responsibility, and self-assessment show up across the season (September–November). Together, these themes helped us bring our Game Model and Key Qualities to life.

Thank you for leaning in, trying new things, asking questions, and choosing curiosity. You made 2025 a year of meaningful progress — for our players and for our club.

- Zac Crawford, Chief Technical Director

The new year is nearly here, and we're excited to announce our initial schedule for coach education courses to close 2025 and kick off 2026!

Below, you will find a full guide featuring details on upcoming Grassroots, D, C, and B Courses. With 25+ courses across the Club, we encourage you to explore the schedule and find the right education opportunity to take your coaching to the next level!

Interested in hosting an education course? Contact zac.crawford@rapidsyouthsoccer.org to start the conversation!

GRASSROOTS COURSES ($50 + CC FEES)

*CRYSC coaches can request a free voucher from regan@rapidsyouthsoccer.org.

9v9 GR Course – The Eddy

• Virtual Classroom: Tuesday, December 16 | 6:30–8:30 PM
• Field Component: Wednesday, December 17 | 6:30–8:30 PM
• Location: The Eddy, 111 N Havana St, Suite 120, Aurora, CO 80010

11v11 GR Course – Castle Rock

• Virtual Classroom: Thursday, December 18 | 7:00–9:00 PM
• Field Component: Saturday, December 20 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
• Location: Douglas County Fairgrounds, 940 E Plum Creek Pkwy, Castle Rock, CO 80104

9v9 GR Course – The Eddy

• Virtual Classroom: Wednesday, January 7 | 7:00–9:00 PM
• Field Component: Sunday, January 11 | 11:30 AM–1:30 PM
• Location: The Eddy, 111 N Havana St, Suite 120, Aurora, CO 80010

11v11 GR Course – The Eddy

• Virtual Classroom: Thursday, January 8 | 7:00–9:00 PM
• Field Component: Sunday, January 11 | 2:00–4:00 PM
• Location: The Eddy, 111 N Havana St, Suite 120, Aurora, CO 80010

11v11 GR Course – North Region

• In-Person Classroom: Friday, January 9 | 5:00–7:00 PM (Trail Winds Recreation Center)
• Field Component: Friday, January 9 | 7:00–9:00 PM
• Location: Trail Winds Turf, 13495 Holly St., Thornton, CO 80602

7v7 GR Course – Castle Rock

• Virtual Classroom: Wednesday, January 14 | 7:00–9:00 PM
• Field Component: Saturday, January 17 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
• Location: Douglas County Fairgrounds, 940 E Plum Creek Pkwy, Castle Rock, CO 80104

7v7 GR Course – The Eddy

• Virtual Classroom: Wednesday, January 21 | 7:00–9:00 PM
• Field Component: Sunday, January 25 | 4:30–6:30 PM
• Location: The Eddy, 111 N Havana St, Suite 120, Aurora, CO 80010

9v9 GR Course – The Eddy

• Virtual Classroom: Thursday, January 22 | 7:00–9:00 PM
• Field Component: Sunday, January 25 | 7:00–9:00 PM
• Location: The Eddy, 111 N Havana St, Suite 120, Aurora, CO 80010

9v9 GR Course – Castle Rock

• Virtual Classroom: Wednesday, January 28 | 7:00–9:00 PM
• Field Component: Saturday, January 31 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
• Location: Douglas County Fairgrounds, 940 E Plum Creek Pkwy, Castle Rock, CO 80104

11v11 GR Course – The Eddy

• Virtual Classroom: Monday, February 9 | 7:00–9:00 PM
• Field Component: Sunday, February 15 | 7:00–9:00 PM
• Location: The Eddy, 111 N Havana St, Suite 120, Aurora, CO 80010

9v9 GR Course – The Eddy

• Virtual Classroom: Thursday, February 12 | 7:00–9:00 PM
• Field Component: Sunday, February 15 | 4:30–6:30 PM
• Location: The Eddy, 111 N Havana St, Suite 120, Aurora, CO 80010

11v11 GR Course – Castle Rock

• Virtual Classroom: Wednesday, February 18 | 7:00–9:00 PM
• Field Component: Saturday, February 21 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
• Location: Douglas County Fairgrounds, 940 E Plum Creek Pkwy, Castle Rock, CO 80104

7v7 GR Course – North Region

• In-Person Classroom: Friday, March 20 | 5:00–7:00 PM (Trail Winds Recreation Center)
• Field Component: Friday, March 20 | 7:00–9:00 PM
• Location: Trail Winds Turf, 13495 Holly St., Thornton, CO 80602

9v9 GR Course – North Region

• Virtual Classroom: Thursday, April 23 | 5:00–7:00 PM (Trail Winds Recreation Center)
• Field Component: Friday, April 24 | 5:00–7:00 PM
• Location: Trail Winds Turf, 13495 Holly St., Thornton, CO 80602

7v7 GR Course – The Eddy

• Virtual Classroom: Tuesday, June 9 | 7:00–9:00 PM
• Field Component: Saturday, June 13 | 4:00–6:00 PM
• Location: The Eddy, 111 N Havana St, Suite 120, Aurora, CO 80010

9v9 GR Course – The Eddy

• Virtual Classroom: Thursday, June 11 | 7:00–9:00 PM
• Field Component: Saturday, June 13 | 1:00–3:00 PM
• Location: The Eddy, 111 N Havana St, Suite 120, Aurora, CO 80010

11v11 GR Course – The Eddy

• Virtual Classroom: Wednesday, June 10 | 7:00–9:00 PM
• Field Component: Saturday, June 13 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
• Location: The Eddy, 111 N Havana St, Suite 120, Aurora, CO 80010

D COURSES ($400 + CC FEES)

D Course – The Eddy (Winter) — 9-Week Course

• Pre-Course Meeting: December 17
• Virtual Meetings: Wednesdays, 7:00–8:30 PM
• January 5, 12, 19, 26; February 4, 11, 18, 25
• In-Person Meetings: Sundays at The Eddy, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
• January 25; February 1, 8, 15
• Location: The Eddy, 111 N. Havana, Aurora, CO 80010

D Course – Castle Rock (Spring) — 9-Week Course

• Pre-Course Meeting: February 18
• Virtual Meetings: Wednesdays, 7:00–8:30 PM
• February 25; March 4, 11, 18, 25; April 1, 8, 15, 22
• In-Person Meetings: Sundays at Douglas County Fairgrounds/Library, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
• March 22, 29; April 12, 19
• Location: 940 E Plum Creek Pkwy, Castle Rock, CO 80104

D Course – The Eddy (Spring) — 9-Week Course

• Pre-Course Meeting: March 11
• Virtual Meetings: Wednesdays, 7:00–8:30 PM
• March 18, 25; April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6
• In-Person Meetings: Sundays at The Eddy, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
• Meetings 1 & 2: April 11–12
• Meetings 3 & 4: April 25–26
• Location: The Eddy, 111 N. Havana, Aurora, CO 80010

D Course – The Eddy (Summer) — 9-Week Course

• Pre-Course Meeting: July 22
• Virtual Meetings: Wednesdays, 7:00–8:30 PM
• July 29; August 5, 12, 19, 26; September 2, 9, 16, 21
• In-Person Meetings: Sundays at The Eddy, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
• August 23, 30; September 6, 13
• Location: The Eddy, 111 N. Havana, Aurora, CO 80010

C COURSES ($1,200 + CC FEES)

C Course (Winter) — 16-Week Course

• Target Group: College coaches (open to all eligible students)
• Pre-Course Webinar: Monday, January 5, 2026 | 1:00–2:00 PM
• Virtual Classroom Meetings: Mondays, January 12–April 20 | 1:00–2:30 PM or 7:00–8:30 PM
• In-Person Meetings: February 25–28
• Day 1: February 25, begins at 12:00 PM
• Day 2: February 26, 9:00 AM–9:00 PM
• Day 3: February 27, 9:00 AM–9:00 PM
• Day 4: February 28, 9:00 AM–1:00 PM

C Course (Summer) — 16-Week Course — REGISTRATION COMING SOON

• Pre-Course Webinar: Thursday, May 19, 2026 | 11:30 AM–1:00 PM
• Virtual Classroom Meetings: Thursdays, May 28–August 6 | 11:30 AM–1:00 PM
• In-Person Meetings: June 18–21
• Day 1: June 18, begins at 12:00 PM
• Day 2: June 19, 9:00 AM–9:00 PM
• Day 3: June 20, 9:00 AM–9:00 PM
• Day 4: June 21, 9:00 AM–1:00 PM

C Course (Fall) — 16-Week Course

• Pre-Course Webinar: Wednesday, July 22, 2026 | 7:00–8:00 PM
• Virtual Classroom Meetings: Wednesdays, July 29–October 28 | 7:00–8:30 PM
• In-Person Meetings: Sundays: August 30, September 6, 13, 20
• Each day runs 9:00 AM–6:00 PM

B COURSES ($2,700 + CC FEES)

B Course (Winter) — 6-Month Course

• Pre-Course Meeting: December 17, 2025 | 11:00 AM–12:30 PM
• Virtual Meetings: Wednesdays, January 7–May 20, 2026 | 11:00 AM–12:30 PM (MST)
• In-Person Meeting #1: March 11–14
• Day 1 starts at 2:00 PM; Day 4 ends by noon
• In-Person Meeting #2: May 13–16
• Day 1 starts at 2:00 PM; Day 4 ends by noon
• Location: Regis University, 3333 Regis Blvd, Denver, CO 80221

B Course (Fall) — 6-Month Course — REGISTRATION COMING SOON

• Course Start: July (TBD)
• In-Person Meeting #1: September 2–5
• Day 1 starts at 2:00 PM; Day 4 ends by noon
• In-Person Meeting #2: November 4–7
• Day 1 starts at 2:00 PM; Day 4 ends by noon

Behind every CRYSC course and learning moment is a coach who chooses to grow. This month, we spotlight three stories — each highlighting how learning impacts players on the field. These stories remind us that when coaches grow, players grow.

Jalen Robinson

Max Poland

John Bellina

Pablo Najera Palos

John Deaver

JALEN ROBINSON (FORT COLLINS ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COACHING): C COURSE

Jalen leaned into reflection and training clarity this fall, using course tools to improve session structure, coaching interactions, and cue-based teaching. His players are responding with more ownership, stronger habits, and deeper understanding of the Game Model.

“When I was first asked to take the C License, I was hesitant because I didn’t think it would help me much. I felt like I already had enough soccer knowledge to coach at a higher level. I was very wrong. This course forced me to tighten up my coaching points, make my practices more efficient, plan trainings with purpose instead of on the fly, improve my vocabulary, and ultimately, deepen my overall soccer knowledge. I would recommend this course to anyone who has the time, as it has helped me grow tremendously as a coach. Zac is an outstanding leader—he truly puts in the work to make sure you leave the course a better coach and a better person.”

MAX POLAND (NORTH 11U-19U BOYS DIRECTOR OF COACHING): CLUB TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP LEVEL 1

Through CTL-1, Max strengthened his leadership toolkit, helping align communication and coach support within the North Region. His work highlights how leadership development directly enhances the coach environment — and ultimately the player experience.

"The CTL course was a fantastic continuing education opportunity. A course that is different to the traditional licensure courses we as coaches take. The course challenged us to think deeper on the environment that we work in. We focused less on the execution and planning of a training session, but rather on the systems that go on behind the scenes to allow us to maximize our impact on players. A course that will challenge your beliefs and help create new documents that you can make come alive in your everyday life."

JOHN BELLINA (CENTRAL GRASSROOTS COACH & RECREATIONAL PLUS TRAINER): GRASSROOTS COURSE

John recently completed a Grassroots course and immediately applied games-based learning strategies to his training sessions. He noted how player engagement improved simply by shifting to purposeful, game-like activities and clear, age-appropriate coaching points.

“Our recent Grassroots course opened my eyes to some small but transformational shifts in how I coach. In just two sessions, I learned how stepping back can create more focused, self-guided learning experiences for players — something I’m eager to bring into my teams. The practical portion of the course created a real change in how I see player learning, and the level of care and detail in the facilitation — even something as simple as learning everyone’s names — set a standard I want to live up to. I coach 14U Grassroots players now, and two indoor teams at the Eddy, and this experience has reignited my long-term goal of returning to soccer as a career. The course added a lot of fuel to that fire.”

PABLO NAREJA PALOS (RISING RAPIDS COACH): D COURSE

"It is hard to pinpoint one thing I learned. I feel like I developed different traits and skills I didn't have before. I learned to look at coaching through a holistic lens—looking at the players or team I am coaching to understand who I have in front of me, what social, developmental, physical aspects they have, and how to prepare my sessions. Soccer is more than showing up to practices and games; it is to develop players on and off the field, support whatever goal it is they have, and provide a supportive and fun environment. I learned how to use the USSF structure and framework to prepare and implement my sessions: when and how to provide coaching points, when to make stops or freezes, and how to get the behavior I'm expecting using different skills, coaching points, 1 on 1 talks, and group talks. I also learned—something I will apply moving forward—reflection, reflection, reflection: reflecting on my sessions, what went right/what could I have done differently, and allowing my players to reflect and speak their mind. Last but not least, I learned that even great and experienced coaches have bad days, and it is okay to take a step back to reflect and learn from those days. I have so much to learn still, but excited to see what is ahead!"

JOHN DEAVER (SOUTH SELECT COACH): D COURSE

"The D Course was intentionally structured to introduce key coaching concepts and then immediately push you beyond your comfort zone by challenging you to apply them in your environment. Beyond the course content, it created meaningful opportunities to grow through collaboration with coaches from diverse backgrounds, allowing for the development and implementation of new ideas. After each class, I was able to take at least one concept and apply it with my teams this fall, which directly improved my effectiveness as a coach and, in turn, positively impacted all of the players I coach."

PROGRAM GROWTH & IMPLEMENTATION

• Rising Rapids continued its evolution with aligned session plans, Play–Practice–Play methodology, improved festivals, and consistent communication across regions
• 5U/6U continued implementing the Four-Goal Game, helping our youngest players get more touches, more decisions, and more joy
• Adaptive Soccer/TOPS expanded to four regions, with record participation and deeper community connection
• Game Model behaviors and Key Qualities became more visible across training sessions, reinforcing a shared understanding of how we want our players to grow

Together, these strides shaped a more consistent and more joyful experience for players across the club.

STRENGTHENING COACH EDUCATION THROUGH PARTNERSHIP

This year also marked an important step forward in our collaboration with AYSO. Together, we’ve worked to expand access to coach education across Colorado, aligning resources, sharing educators, and making it easier for community coaches to begin their Grassroots journey. This partnership helps us fulfill U.S. Soccer’s vision to make coach education more accessible, and it ensures that more players across the state — regardless of club or level — are guided by coaches who are equipped to create safe, fun, and development-focused environments.

AYSO has been an outstanding partner, and we’re excited to continue building a unified pathway for coaches throughout Colorado in 2026 and beyond.

2025 COACH EDUCATION & LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS

As a coaching community, we accomplished a tremendous amount this year. A few highlights include:

• Grassroots Licensing (Entry Level)
• 30+ U.S. Soccer Grassroots Courses
• Total Grassroots Coaches Licensed: >411
• Over 400 coaches across CRYSC have invested in learning how to design better activities, manage safer environments, and create more joyful experiences for our youngest players. This is the foundation of our club — and we are incredibly proud!
• Advanced U.S. Soccer Licenses
• D License: 5 courses, 90 coaches
• C License: 4 courses, 58 coaches
• B License: 1 course, 24 coaches
• CTL-1 Leadership Course: 1 cohort, 6 technical leaders
• Combined, these programs produced 178 advanced learners across B, C, D, and Leadership pathways!
• Total Coaches Educated in 2025: 600
• More than 600 coaches stepped into formal learning this year, raising the standard for every age group, every training session, and every athlete they serve. Thousands of players felt the impact.
• This is who we are as a club:
• A place that grows great coaches.
• A place that invests in people.
• A place where learning never stops.

WHY DO WE INVEST SO MUCH IN COACHING?

We believe in something simple: When coaches get better, kids get better. When coaches care more, kids love the game more. When coaches learn, the entire club rises.

This has become our niche. Our identity. Our competitive advantage. CRYSC is now one of the largest and most active coach-development hubs in the country — something we are deeply proud of and something that directly impacts the experience your players receive on the field.

IMPACT ON TRAINING & GAME MODEL ALIGNMENT

Across the club, coaches:

• Integrated the Game Model and Key Qualities more consistently in training design.
• Adopted play–practice–play more faithfully, especially in Rising Rapids and volunteer environments.
• Increased clarity in coaching points, cue-based interventions, and guided discovery techniques.
• Demonstrated stronger alignment in:
• Activity realism
• Player decision-making
• Shared vocabulary
• Player-centered teaching behaviors

These collective efforts helped move CRYSC toward a more consistent, developmentally aligned coaching culture.

A YEAR-ROUND LEARNING CULTURE

2025 didn’t just bring more courses — it marked the evolution of our long-term approach to coach development. At CRYSC, we’re building a true, year-round learning system designed to meet coaches where they are and keep them growing over time. Our winter and early spring months now launch the major U.S. Soccer courses, creating the first wave of learning each year. Summer brings the energy of Grassroots licensing and on-field workshops, giving newer coaches their first step onto the “escalator” — a pathway that begins with GR courses, delivers a quality learning experience, and invites them to return for the next level. By fall, long-form courses are reaching their assessment phase, and a second wave of licensing emerges. Late fall and winter become a period of reflection, catching breath, and preparing for the next cycle.

This rhythm isn’t accidental — it’s a long-term strategy. The more consistently we offer meaningful, accessible learning opportunities, the more we empower coaches to stay on the escalator and keep climbing. When a coach has a positive first experience, they’re far more likely to return for a D License, then a C, and eventually step into leadership courses like the B or the Club Technical Leadership Level 1 course.

In many ways, we are bringing U.S. Soccer’s vision to life right here in Colorado: make education accessible. By offering courses across multiple regions, blending virtual and in-person experiences, and running programming year-round, we’re turning Colorado into a destination for coach education — a place where coaches at every level can learn, grow, and belong.

This is a long game. And it’s one we’re proud to lead.

One of the most meaningful shifts we made in 2025 was how we organized, shared, and lived our technical ideas. At the center of that effort was our Technical Development Calendar — a yearlong roadmap that helped us anchor key themes, guide staff conversations, and intentionally sequence learning across the club.

Every month began with deep internal work: meeting with our RTDs, aligning terminology and expectations, reviewing trends from coaching courses, and filtering complex ideas into clear, digestible messages for the DOCs who lead our regional environments. From there, the learning reached every coach in the club through our Coach Development Newsletters and ElevatED micro-courses, ensuring that the same themes were reinforced on the field, in planning sessions, and in everyday conversations with players and families.

This process became one of the joys of the year. It allowed us to move as a united coaching community — not by forcing uniformity, but by sharing purpose, language, and intention. Month by month, the calendar gave us a narrative thread to follow, helping us build a club where coaches weren’t just receiving information but were growing together, shaping a more connected and consistent player experience across all six regions.

This year, our Coach Development newsletters told the story of our technical growth month by month. Weaving our monthly newsletters into a narrative thread became a way to guide the club through the year, one theme at a time. Each month added another layer to our identity, gradually shaping how we think, teach, and talk about the game.

January: Laying the Foundation

• As the year opened, we centered on clarity, alignment, and the launch of new systems. January’s message set the tone: a commitment to structure, to shared language, and to raising the standard for what our coaches and players should expect from their environments. It was the month we pressed “reset” and invited everyone back into the story of One Club, One Community.

February: Games-Based Training & The Joy of Learning

• February reminded us of why we coach in the first place. We dove into games-based learning, affirming that kids learn best through play, exploration, and joy. The theme was simple: if it feels like play, it becomes learning; if it feels like a drill, it becomes a chore. This shaped how hundreds of coaches approached the early spring season.

March: Growth Mindset Takes Center Stage

• March challenged coaches and players to rethink mistakes. We emphasized resilience, persistence, curiosity, and the idea that development is rarely linear. “Failing forward” became a phrase I saw appear in session reflections and post-game conversations everywhere I went.

April: Seeing the Game With New Eyes

• In April, we turned our attention to the Key Quality that sits at the heart of our entire technical plan: Game Understanding. We reframed coaching questions, session design, and player assessments around scanning, perception, decision-making, and reading cues. Parents, too, joined the shift — asking new kinds of questions on the car ride home.

May: Reflection, Recharge, Reignite

• As spring wound down, May became a month of rest and recalibration. We asked coaches to pause, reflect, and take stock of their growth. It was also the first time many coaches articulated their Individual Development Plans with real clarity — a shift that would carry into the fall.

June: Building the Coaching Pathway

• The summer opened with a renewed focus on U.S. Soccer coach licensing. Grassroots, D, and C Courses filled the calendar, and coaches across all six regions leaned into learning with purpose. The highlight was welcoming our first Club Technical Leadership Course Level 1(CTL-1) cohort — a milestone in building a leadership pipeline inside CRYSC.

July: Our Attacking Identity Comes Alive

• July’s theme brought our attacking Game Model into sharp focus. We walked coaches through team shape, penetration, dynamic movement, and finishing — not as isolated actions, but as part of a unified identity. The message was clear: we attack with intent; we play to create, not just to possess.

August: Starting the Season on the Right Foot

• As the fall approached, August became a month of alignment. Safety. Growth mindset. Teaching formations. Club-wide warm-up protocols. We reassured coaches that preparation wasn’t just logistical — it was cultural. And we unveiled the soft launch of the ElevatED LMS, which instantly changed the landscape of coach development at CRYSC.

September: Fun, Belonging, and Finishing the Attack

• With the heart of the season approaching, we shifted toward joy and creativity — ensuring players felt connected, safe, and brave enough to take risks. One of September’s Climb modules focused on Finishing the Attack, linking bravery and competitive resilience with decision-making and support play.

October: Responsibility, Reflection, and Defending Together

• October brought together three threads that run through our entire philosophy: reflection, responsibility, and resilience. We highlighted the Defending Game Model, compactness, communication, and collective effort — reminding players that defending is not a position; it’s a commitment.

November: The Power of Self-Assessment

• As the season concluded, November pushed coaches and players into deeper reflection. Player assessments became more than checklists — they became conversations about identity, ownership, and growth. Coaches used learning lines, Key Qualities, and guided discovery to help players make sense of their journey.

December: Finishing With Gratitude

• The final month of the year always brings perspective. We closed the year grounded in gratitude — for our players, for our coaches, for our staff, and for the community behind the crest. We celebrated the progress made and the relationships strengthened. And we looked toward 2026, knowing that our alignment today will fuel our success tomorrow.

Each month added a layer to our shared identity — and by December, it was obvious: We didn’t just talk about alignment. We lived it. But we’re not done yet…

MORE COACHES, BETTER COACHES, REMARKABLE COACHES

We’re taking all of this momentum straight into 2026 with our most ambitious coach education calendar yet. Across our regions, we’ll run a full slate of GR and D License courses, giving coaches their next step after Grassroots and ensuring the developmental “escalator” continues upward.

Next year, CRYSC will host two B License courses — one in the spring and one in the fall — offering some of the most advanced coach education pathways available in the country. We’ll also launch a national Winter C Course designed with college coaches in mind (but open to everyone), and we’ll add another C Course in the summer along with one more in the fall to support coaches across multiple starting points.

Our Club Technical Leadership Course (CTL-1) will also return, preparing the next wave of DOCs, regional leaders, and advanced practitioners within the club.

Taken together, these offerings position Colorado — and CRYSC — as a true destination for coach education. Coaches will come here not just to learn, but to grow in a community that values development, reflection, and long-term support.

2026 U.S. SOCCER COURSES

• Two B License Courses in the spring and fall.
• A national Winter C Course designed for college coaches but open to all.
• Plus another summer C Course and one in the fall.
• Four D License Courses across the CRYSC regions.
• CTL-1 (Leadership Course) returning for our next generation of DOCs and regional leaders

In 2026, coaches will also continue to use the Coach IDP and Coach Development Agreement to guide their growth. Connect with your DOC to begin building your plan for the year ahead.

These offerings position CRYSC as a national leader in coach education. CLICK HERE to see our list of upcoming courses.

This year, we introduced ElevetED—our online education platform—to great success. We see a 73% engagement rate for current users, well above the industry average of 54%. Our coaches have embraced it as an essential tool, accessing customized training modules and seasonal practice plans that align perfectly with our philosophy, making them more confident and better-prepared to develop remarkable players.

We began the year with a staff preview in January, and by August, ElevatED officially became part of our monthly CLIMB rhythm. Since then, coaches across all six regions have explored micro-courses on:

• Fun and Belonging
• Stages of Development
• Learning Ability and Key Qualities
• Finishing the Attack
• Defending Principles
• Responsibility, Initiative, and Reflection

Key Data Points:

• 74% of users have completed a course, which is higher than larger, national associations.
• Top Courses (Our Club, The Climb, Creating a Player-Centered, TopSoccer).
• Our material is engaging (we have a 65% course completion rate- right up there among organizations that have required courses).
• We currently offer 30 courses and 64 modules that enable users to learn at their own pace about various topics, ranging from Player Safety to Adaptive Soccer.

Parents and players, this resource is for you, too!

• Explore ElevetED to discover exactly what makes CRYSC different. Popular courses include Our Club & Colorado Soccer Culture, The Player, The Climb Monthly Courses, Creating a Player-Centered Learning Environment, and TopSoccer resources. You'll find insights into our coaching methodology, development frameworks, and the "why" behind what your child is learning on the field. It's one way we work to Keep It Simple—giving you complete information about our approach and values in action.

Looking ahead to 2026:

• Expect new modules, more CLIMB connections, and expanded learning pathways that support the Coach IDP process and individual development planning. If you’re planning to take a Grassroots, D, C, or B License course next year, ElevatED is the perfect place to begin.
• Next year, ElevatED will expand with:
• New modules aligned to our Technical Development Calendar
• Learning to support a structured Coach IDP pathway
• Leadership-focused micro-courses for DOCs and emerging directors
• Tools to help coaches track their yearly growth
• Try an ElevatED Micro-Course during winter break and complete one module that will set you up for success in 2026.

We're excited to continue enhancing and updating content throughout 2026 and beyond, ensuring the LMS grows alongside our community. ElevatED helps us unify learning across six regions with shared language, accessible micro-courses, and alignment to the Game Model.

If you haven’t had a chance to explore ElevatED yet—winter break is the perfect time to dive in.

CALL TO ACTION: EXPLORE THESE ELEVATED MODULES OVER THE WINTER BREAK

To support your preparation for 2026, we’re encouraging every coach to complete at least one ElevatED module before the spring season begins. You’ll find all of these inside ElevatED under “CLIMB Modules.” Here are four recommended starting points:

Fun & Development (Belonging, Enjoyment, Joyful Environments)

• This ties directly to September’s Fun & Belonging launch. Includes:
• Why joy matters
• How play accelerates learning
• How coaches create belonging
• Practical examples for 5U–12U

Stages of Development

• This is one of the cornerstone modules. Includes:
• Age group characteristics (physical, cognitive, social-emotional)
• What is DEVELOPMENTALLY appropriate
• How to design sessions by stage
• How to set player expectations

Learning Ability (Key Qualities)

• This is the deep-dive on how players learn, not just what they do. Includes:
• Learning Ability as a Key Quality
• Cognitive load
• Perception–action links
• How coach behavior influences learning
• Planning with Learning Ability in mind

Finish the Attack (Game Model → Attacking Sub-Principles)

• This was released in September and ties into the attacking portion of the Game Model. Includes:
• Attacking mindset
• Individual bravery and creativity
• Supporting runs, cues, spacing
• Finishing sub-principles
• Age-appropriate examples
• You’ll find all of these inside ElevatED under “CLIMB Modules.”

This year, we partnered with West Virginia University and the U.S. Center for Coaching Excellence on a project that examined one of the most important — and often overlooked — parts of youth soccer: our volunteer coaches. The study explored why parents step forward, what keeps them engaged, and what causes them to step away. What we found was powerful and deeply aligned with our mission at CRYSC.

The biggest takeaway was simple: volunteer coaching is emotional labor, not just technical labor. Parents volunteer because they care about their children, want to contribute to their community, or feel a responsibility to help when no one else raises their hand. They flourish when they feel supported, appreciated, and connected — and they struggle when they feel isolated, unprepared, or unsure of expectations. The study reinforced that volunteers don’t need perfection; they need clarity, encouragement, and a sense that they belong.

The study arrived at the end of the year, after we had already launched several major projects, including the new 5U–6U formats, the 8U Rising Rapids curriculum, simplified session menus, and the ElevatED platform. In a way, the timing was perfect. Rather than driving these initiatives, the study now strengthens and informs them, helping us fine-tune the parent experience, festival structures, and coach onboarding scripts we introduced this year. As we continue our Plan–Do–Review approach, these insights will help us elevate the support we provide to volunteers — the foundation of our grassroots environment.

As we look ahead to 2026, this research will continue guiding our recreational strategy and coach-support systems. Our volunteers are not a last-minute fallback; they’re the lifeblood of early player development. When we invest in them, we invest in the joy, safety, and long-term growth of every child who plays the game. Later this winter, we plan to invite volunteer coaches to participate in a short survey to help us understand what support would be most meaningful next season.

SAVE THE DATE: JUNE 26–28, 2026 “MEN'S WORLD CUP EDITION”

Throughout 2025, we quietly built the foundation for the largest coaching event our club has ever attempted: the 2026 Summer Coaching Symposium. Designed around the excitement of the upcoming Men’s World Cup, this multi-day symposium will bring coaches together for field sessions, classroom learning, guest speakers, and social connection.

This event will not only elevate our coaches — it will continue to elevate our club’s identity on a national stage and help make Colorado a destination for coach education and development. 

Mark your calendars for June 26–28, 2026!

“Men’s World Cup Edition” Theme: Inspired by the excitement of the Men’s World Cup, this multi-day event will bring together coaches from across the club for field sessions, workshops, and community connection.

Participants can look forward to three days of:

• On-field sessions
• Classroom learning
• Guest speakers
• Community-building
• Coaches' social with watch parties

This will become one of Colorado’s premier coaching events—and a celebration of the people who make CRYSC special. More details to come this spring—but we hope every coach will join us.

If you're interested in helping with the event as part of our planning committee, reach out to zac.crawford@rapidsyouthsoccer.org!

"On behalf of Rapids Youth Soccer, we celebrate our coaches who have taken the next step in their education journey. Congratulations to the 100+ CRYSC coaches who completed an official U.S. Soccer education course this fall and winter. We can’t wait to see what you accomplish in 2026!" - Zac Crawford, Chief Technical Director

Course: 7v7 North (August)

• Enoch Ajayi
• Laurie-Ann Allen
• Ian Barraza
• Aaron Cropley
• Blake Davidson
• Darren Geary
• Ashley Heinekamp
• Ryan Potter
• Luke Quick
• Katherine Reeves
• Brian Tibbs

Course: 11v11 North (August)

• Enoch Ajayi
• Bledar Bisha
• Cristian Gallegos
• Darren Geary
• Heather Granzella
• Josue Huerta
• Guillermo Pinto
• Ryan Potter
• Zachary Rodasti
• Hannah Rudin
• Kasper Vervaecke
• Jake Wachtmann

Course: 11v11 Fort Collins (September)

• Ben Beerman
• Taylor Harr
• Pablo Palos
• Jacob Reimer
• Christopher Martin

Course: 9v9 Central (September)

• Alison Antony
• Ramiro Avalos
• Matt Bailey
• Ben Beermann
• John Dessauer
• Eduard Grigoryev
• Laidry Mouelet Nguimbi
• Pablo Najera Palos
• Kristen Nolton
• Michele Raftery
• Aaron Theis
• Charles Trodick Jr.

Course: 7v7 High Country (September)

• Jamie Alford
• Erin Allaman
• Benjamin Hickey
• Suzanne Kenney
• Marcel Slowiena
• Tai Sposato
• Lynette Stauch
• Jason Stauch

Course: 11v11 High Country (September)

• Benjamin Hickey
• Jerome Hickey
• Peter Ionno
• Robby Johnson

Course: Club Technical Leadership (Summer)

• Scott Bridges
• Alex Dixon
• Jerome Hickey
• Max Poland
• Michael Souders
• Sergio Toran

Course: D Course Castle Rock (Fall)

• Tamara Baxter
• Michal Beaudoin
• Erubiel Dominguez-Pina
• Jordan Grimm
• Anthony Kinney
• Andrew Palmeri
• Mario Perezperez
• Jennifer Stoltzfus

Course: D Course Central (Fall)

• Enoch Ajayi
• Lexie Anderson
• Kirsten Bassett
• Brian Blanas
• Matthew Brennan
• Marina DeBiasi
• Olivia Divine
• Conner Finley
• Hailey Jensen
• Jared Karshner
• David Martinez
• Laidry Mouelet Nguimbi
• Pablo Najera Palos
• Zachary Rodasti
• Kari Spicer
• Bruce Tilford
• Jake Wachtmann

Course: C Course Central (Summer)

• Alex Berger
• Bryce Chitanavong
• C. Jackson Davis
• Joseph Elwell
• Christian Rivera
• Abraham Rosales
• Jonathan Schwarze
• Tristin Stuteville
• Maddux Warren
• Tyler Amerman
• Brett Bergendahl
• Gabriel DeAngelo
• Alexander Gregory
• Matthew Hundley
• Madison Raines
• Colton Shafer
• Jessica Stauffer
• Will Vint
• Sergio Zambrana Estrada

Course: C Course South Dakota (Fall)

• Vincent Christenson
• Philip Hawki
• Hillary Jastorff
• Robert Kuyper
• Corey Mosset
• Craig Mount
• David Mueller
• Richard Watkins
• Andrew Wipf

Our Adaptive Soccer/TOPS programming continues to grow across four major regions. This winter, we are thrilled to host our second Adaptive Soccer Winter Fest on Sunday, February 15th, at the Eddy— a highlight of joy, connection, and community.

One of the most meaningful areas of growth this year has been our Adaptive Soccer programming (also known as TOPSoccer), now led by Ashley Heinekampf. What began as a small, passionate effort to create inclusive, player-centered spaces in our North region has evolved into one of the most impactful programs across our entire club.

We’re now proudly offering Adaptive Soccer/TOPS in four of our five major regions, with demand continuing to rise each season. Families consistently share how grateful they are for an environment where every player is welcomed, supported, and celebrated for who they are. Under Ashley’s leadership, the program has become more structured, more visible, and more deeply connected to our mission of serving all players — regardless of ability, experience, or background.

Our numbers continue to grow, but more importantly, so does our sense of purpose. Adaptive Soccer reflects the heart behind the crest — creating pathways where every player belongs, every family feels seen, and every game is a celebration of what makes our community special.

Winter Soccer Fest Returns on February 15th: This winter, we’re excited to host our second Adaptive Soccer Winter Fest in February, an event designed to bring together athletes, families, volunteers, and staff across all regions for a day of joy, connection, and community. These festivals have become a highlight for our club, not just because of the smiles on the field, but because they remind us of what soccer can be: a shared experience that brings people together.

Calling for Coaches—Become a Buddy: If you’re interested in becoming a Buddy Coach, someone who assists the lead trainer by providing 1on1 support for an athlete, we’d love to have you. Please contact Ashley Heinekampf for details at ashley.heinekamp@rapidsyouthsoccer.org.

End-of-year assessments are not just a requirement — they’re a powerful moment for connection, reflection, and learning. The origin of the word “assessment” is to “sit beside” someone on their journey.

The self-regulated player should be in the driver’s seat for their own learning, so the coach should be able to ask appropriate questions of the players to help them reflect on their own development (the player should be speaking more than the coach during the 1-on-1 meetings as a general guideline-otherwise, we remove a lot of ownership from the player).

In October’s CLIMB, we introduced a simple 4-5 step Check-In Framework that works beautifully for this time of year. 

1. Connect: Start with the person—build safety, belonging, and trust.
2. Reflect (Player-Led): Ask players what they learned, where they grew, and what they’re proud of.
3. Observe (Coach Perspective): Anchor observations to behaviors: Game Model, Key Qualities, and habits.
4. Identify a Next Step (Shared): Choose one actionable, observable behavior for the player to grow in 2026.
5. Commit (Optional): Plan how the player will practice or apply their next step.

This structure keeps assessments meaningful, player-centered, and aligned — and helps us build more self-regulating learners.

If you’d prefer a different method, try the GRIP Reflection Process (G = Goals stated by the player, R = Reflection led by the player on them, I = input provided by the coach on the player’s reflections, P = plan out next steps and support).

Nominate a player on your team or across the club for UCHealth Player of the Month! Follow the link and fill out the form to submit a nomination. The Player of the Month will be featured in the club-wide newsletter, highlighted on social media, and have their story hosted on the UCHealth Player of the Month page. We can't wait to learn more about the amazing players that you coach!

What are the criteria for nomination?

• Athletic Excellence – Standout performance made at any level of competition.
• Academic Achievement – Review of GPA and academic honors distinctions.
• Exemplary Character – Commitment to sportsmanship, character, and community through membership and participation in positive activities.

Every month, coaches came along for the journey — and our club grew more unified because of it. Each month built on the last. Each theme deepened our shared identity. Each lesson shaped the environments our players experienced. By the end of the year, our club didn’t just have a technical plan —we were living it.

This is what it looks like when a community commits to growing together. This is what it feels like when alignment becomes a habit, not an aspiration. And this is why 2025 will be remembered as a year of remarkable transformation for CRYSC.

In 2026, we will keep taking steps forward by reflecting on our implementation of the technical plan, making necessary updates, and providing continuous development opportunities for players, coaches, and staff.

Thank you to every coach, volunteer, DOC, RTD, and staff member who poured into our players this year. Your curiosity, flexibility, and desire to grow continue to elevate our club and community.

As we reset for 2026:

• Take time to rest.
• Reflect on your progress.
• Continue your learning journey.
• Keep building player-centered environments where kids can grow, explore, compete, and fall in love with the game.

Together, we are building something special. Together, we are One Club, One Community. Here’s to an incredible year ahead.

- Zac Crawford, Chief Technical Director