The Colorado Rapids announced today that they will be broadening their 2008 Rapids Youth Academy and will be holding tryouts to fill out their newly developed teams.
The Rapids Soccer Academy was formed to provide a complete structure that serves every type of player. With the addition of five new teams to its Youth Academy, the Rapids now offer player development from U11-U18, and will be set up with the same structure as a traditional youth soccer club, but with higher levels of coaching and player development opportunities.
The Rapids Academy also is unique in the Rocky Mountain region in that the club's system is the only one of its kind that serves as a direct pathway for youth players to develop through all age levels of the Academy, right up to the pros.
From fostering grassroots interest in the game through camps and developmental soccer to providing the highest level of training for the aspiring professional, the Rapids Soccer Academy is dedicated to growing the game and the individuals who participate in it.
"These teams will allow us to focus on player development at an early age," said Brian Crookham, Director of Coaching, Rapids Youth Academy. "Although we always want to compete, we will measure success from the quality of players that come from our program."
The tryouts will be held May 27-29 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park for the following teams: U11, U12, U11/12, U13 and U13/14. Tryouts for the U15/16 and U17/18 team will be held in the fall.
"The Colorado Rapids Soccer Academy is looking for motivated individuals who want to be exposed to the best our club has to offer," added Director of Player Development John Murphy. "Our goal is that every player that comes through our academy will experience the finest instruction, facilities and competitive opportunities available to assist with their own development. Most importantly, each player will be exposed year round to our first team, our coaches and our training methodology. The art of developing effective training and competitive programs for young players lies in knowing which kind of practice and competition the player is ready for at any stage of their physical and mental development."
U11-14 teams will begin training in the summer and will compete in the fall and spring seasons of Colorado Youth Soccer's State League.
U16 and 18 teams will be formed in the fall for competition in the spring of '09. These teams will play in the CYS State League and will be run in conjunction with our Development Academy teams in these age groups.
All Rapids Academy teams will train and play their home games at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, and all youth team players will get the opportunity to wear the same logo and uniform colors as the Rapids first team. Players will pay registration and club fees similar to those of the other top clubs in the area.
