FEBRUARY IS THE FINAL MONTH TO REGISTER FOR THE SPRING!

CHECK OUT EVERY SUMMER PROGRAM AVAILABLE IN YOUR REGION

CASTLE ROCK | SOUTH | CENTRAL | NORTH | FORT COLLINS | ELITE

Rapids Youth Soccer 2024 summer camps are officially OPEN for registration! Players across Colorado are invited to join us for an unforgettable summer soccer experience that promises fun out on the fields or on the futsal courts.

With camps available for all skill levels and ages across our Fort Collins, North, Central, South, and Castle Rock regions, the CRYSC summer season offers a variety of experiences tailored to those looking to improve their skills, have a great time at camp, and everything in between. Follow the links above to find summer camps in your region, or use the camps search engine through the link below to see all summer camp options.

CRYSC SUMMER 3v3 LEAGUE: CASTLE ROCK | SOUTH | CENTRAL | FORT COLLINS

Summer leagues are now open for registration across our regions! Follow the links above to visit the 3v3 Summer League information and sign-up page for your region or the one nearest to you.

Experience fast-paced, skill-building games in a small-sided format, designed to enhance ball control, physical awareness, and 1v1 mastery. Assemble your team, secure your spot through the regional links, and join us for an unforgettable summer of soccer!

The CRYSC technical leadership team has expanded in 2024, with the additions of Danny Bills as Chief of Soccer Operations and Zac Crawford as Chief Technical Director! These exciting new hires are set to help us grow in 2024 and beyond. Learn a bit more about Danny and Zac's journey to the club below.

Danny Bills | Chief of Soccer Operations: Danny joins CRYSC with a distinguished coaching career, a commitment to Colorado soccer, a proven track record of success, and a desire to improve the club’s technical expertise at all levels. He has over 20 years of experience working in his home state of Colorado and holds a USSF National “A” License and NSCAA Advanced National Diploma. Danny recently served as the Associate Technical Director for Real Colorado Soccer Club, where he led the 14U-19U MLS Next, ECNL, and ECNL-RL programs. Click here to read more about Danny!

Zac Crawford | Chief Technical Director: Zac is an energetic and passionate professional with over 20 years of experience in soccer as a player, coach, referee, educator, and technical director. Joining CRYSC from the U.S. Soccer Federation headquarters in Chicago, Crawford brings a wealth of experience at the grassroots and national levels to our club and the state of Colorado. Click here to read more about Zac!

FINAL CALL FOR ICEBREAKER | REGISTRATION ENDS FEBRUARY 2

View the CRYSC 2024 Spring Tournament Series guide below to find every opportunity for your 6U-19U player this spring and summer season. The Icebreaker, Rocky Mountain Spring Championship (formerly known as the Rock Cup), and Kelvin Norman tournaments offer unique experiences for local and out-of-state teams. Sign up through the links to join the best events in Colorado this spring!

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING THE CRYSC WINTER SHOWCASE!

CHECK OUT all the action from our second annual #CRYSCWinterShowcase! A special shout-out to all of the college coaches who came out and watched our teams play. It was a great end to our 2023 Fall Tournament Series! Click here or the video thumbnail above to view the Winter Showcase hype video.

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING THE UNITED FUTSAL DENVER REGIONAL SHOWCASE!

This December, CRYSC partnered with United Futsal to host the Denver Regional Showcase at the Future Legends Complex in Windsor, CO! This year's event featured 50 teams, traveling from 4 different states, competing in 115 games. Thank you to the 1,008 players, families, and supporters who joined us for our first annual event. Click here to view the full Denver Regional Showcase photo album.

CRYSC hosts annual tournaments for players ages 6U-19U, from beginner to elite. Attracting regional and national competitions, CRYSC tournaments offer a unique experience for players, parents, and coaches. Whether your team is looking for their first tournament experience or wants to hit the ground running against premier opposition, Rapids Youth Soccer has an event that fits every niche you may be looking for. Visit the tournaments page on the CRYSC website!

Congratulations to the 20 coaches selected as Coach of the Year across our CRYSC regions! The coaches listed below are your CRYSC Coaches of the Year and nominees for Colorado Soccer Association (CSA) Coach of the Year.

• Rachel Muller | Castle Rock Girls Competitive
• Alex Martinez | Castle Rock Boys Competitive
• Tyler Vandenberg | Castle Rock Girls Recreational
• Rob Larson | Castle Rock Boys Recreational
• Jeremy Baker | South Girls Competitive
• Juan Hernandez | South Boys Competitive
• David Allen | South Girls Recreational
• Whitney Phinney | South Boys Recreational
• Ryan Martinez | Central Girls Competitive
• Lucca Akiau | Central Boys Competitive

• Alana Chubb | Central Girls Recreational
• Joel Schmidt | Central Boys Recreational
• Kevin McDonald | Fort Collins Girls Competitive
• Rosendo Gonzalez | Fort Collins Boys Competitive
• Anna Schuster | Fort Collins Girls Recreational
• Marshall Churchill | Fort Collins Boys Recreational
• Brandon Morales | North Girls Competitive
• Marvin Gallegos | North Boys Competitive
• Fred Lombardi | North Girls Recreational
• Luis Perales | North Boys Recreational

The fifth annual Rapids Winter College Gameday Event, hosted by College Placement Program Director Anthony Presnell, returned this weekend. Thank you to the 127 players and 77 college coaches representing 61 schools who joined us!

This exclusive opportunity for CRYSC high school girls players served as both a platform for internal competition and a stage for evaluation by college coaches from across the nation. With an impressive turnout and a notable lineup of schools and coaches, the event once again demonstrated why it has become a premier recruiting event for college programs seeking talent from Colorado. Follow the links below to check out a new blog about the Winter College Gameday Event and view the full photo album!

SportsRecruits Information 2024: All high school players have been provided with a FREE account on the SportsRecruits platform that will allow them to set up an athletic and academic profile, search for potential colleges, create and host highlight videos, and communicate directly with any college soccer coach in the country! We recommend that student-athletes and their families take advantage of this opportunity by completing their profile with an updated photo, GPA, jersey number, email, and graduation year.

CRYSC offers athletes assistance in the college recruitment process through the CRYSC College Placement Program (CPP) starting their freshman year in high school. This free service helps teams and individuals with player profiles, video development, online support guides, college communication, and understanding of college timelines. If you want to get involved or have questions, please contact anthony.presnell@rapidsyouthsoccer.org or visit the college soccer page on the CRYSC website!

This January, CRYSC International sent 26 players, families, and coaches to Costa Rica in what was the first trip of the 2024 travel year! The trip was a roaring success and gave our players the chance to grow their soccer skills in a new environment while expanding their knowledge of a different culture.

The group tested their independence and confidence abroad as they traveled on an 8-day tour, taking them from the capital of San Jose to the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, and even to the top of an active volcano! Throughout the trip, they engaged with locals and embraced diverse perspectives, cultures, and languages, all of which left an indelible mark on them, and our hosts.

Follow the link below to find a full reflection on the trip from CRYSC's Director of Club and International Partnerships, Jeff Oleck!

CRYSC international tours are a great way for players to experience soccer through the lens of a different culture! From playing local competitions, experiencing different environments, and seeing new sights, there’s so much to be gained from expanding one’s horizon and taking your game abroad.

Follow the links below for information on how you can attend one of our upcoming trips to:

• 2011 (13U) Boys & Girls: Edinburgh, Scotland July 26 - August 3, 2024
• 2007-05 (17U-19U) Boys & Girls: Dusselldorf & Amsterdam June 6-14, 2024

CONGRATS to Rapids 06B Central Select alumnus Alex Gerson on winning the Colorado Soccer Association (CSA) 2023 Male Young Referee of the Year! Click here to read more about Alex's journey to the top of Colorado officiating.

Next month, be on the lookout for a blog on a 2023 Female Young Referee of the Year!

CONGRATS to our Rapids Castle Rock 19U NPL team for defying the odds at the NPL Mountain West Event #2, winning 3-1 against an unbeaten opponent. This win helped the team secure a spot at the national tournament in their first year of NPL league play!

Year in Review 2023 (Click Here to Read): This January, we closed the chapter on another year memorable year at Rapids Youth Soccer. Take a look back on the success, stats, events, awards, and news that have defined Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club In 2023!

TAG @RAPIDSYOUTHSOCCER ON INSTA AND @RAPIDSYOUTHCLUB ON X TO SEE YOUR POSTS FEATURED IN THE NEWSLETTER!

The Rapids Success newsletter section highlights moments throughout the past month that have been shared with our social media team! This season, we invite our community to share your success and stories by tagging us on social, and we'll feature our favorites in this section. We encourage everyone to follow us and tag us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook or email us directly at social@rapidsyouthsoccer.org.

Congrats to Izzie Harrison on being named the UCHealth Player of the Month for Janaury 2024!

Izzie plays as a striker for our Rapids 09G South ECNL-RL team and is recognized by her teammates and coaches for her role as a leader and a well-rounded individual. She excels not only on the field but also in philanthropy and academics. This past season, Izzie showcased her talent as one of the standout players on her team and played a critical role in their undefeated record. She contributed significantly to their offensive output with 9 goals and 6 assists in 15 games. Her outstanding performance earned her a spot in the ECNL training squad. Follow the link to read more!

Unravel the complex landscape of youth mental health challenges in seemingly stable environments in this brand new think-piece by CRYSC Director of Mental Performance Katie Pagel!

Katie kicks off her 2024 sport psych blog series by delving into the toxic impact of today's achievement culture and shedding light on the surprising factors contributing to heightened stress in today's youth. "The name of the game is healthy achievement. What sets apart the kids who enjoy high achievement and high wellness?.." Follow the link to find out!

Recovering from a hamstring injury? In this new blog post, CRYSC Head Athletic Trainer Julie Graves has put together a step-by-step guide for an effective and healthy rehabilitation process.

From initial Rest-Ice-Heat therapy to targeted stretching, light pressure techniques, and progressive strengthening exercises, the guide will assist you through every step of the healing process. By emphasizing pain-free progressions and a gradual return to play, this is your roadmap to a resilient and sustainable recovery. Read more through the link below!