CLUB VISION: 

“To be the heart behind the crest.” 

At Rapids Youth Soccer, we focus on whole player development, both on and off the field. We strive for players to develop a lifelong love of the game and use the skills learned through their time with Rapids to allow them to be successful in all they desire to achieve. 

POSITION VISION: 

Oversee daily operations for the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club (CRYSC)’s Rising Raouds & 9U-10U Select Program at the South and Central Branches, helping to foster the growth of players, staff coaches and parents. 

CORE VALUES: 

1. Win Within - Being the best is the only way forward, at everything we do personally, or as a Club. Support the objective of becoming a destination youth soccer club and elevating the leadership and Club as national thought leaders for the game of soccer and the business of soccer. 
2. In and Up - Constantly looking to develop ourselves and those around us, working to raise the overall quality and impact of everyone we work with, inside and outside the organization. Collaborate with the Central Regional Manager and other administrators in an effort to continually improve the 11U-19U Central recreational program. 
3. Keep it Simple, Keep it Small - Work to simplify big thoughts, large expectations, ambiguous strategy into strategic and club wide execution. 
4. Enjoyment First - Stay positive and know that with adversity, comes growth. Find joy in the challenging, the small  details, the strategy, and the day to day operations of the Central 11U-19U recreational program. Keep the role  fun and keep the joy of the organization at the forefront. 
5. Moment of Truth - Recognize that Every Moment Matters in all interactions with staff, members and coaches within the program. Strive to create remarkable and memorable experiences with all that interact with you. 6. Own It - Work within ambiguity of the role and own all roles and responsibilities within the Central 11U-19U recreational program. 

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Rising Rapids & 9U-10U Select Program Director will serve as a member of the Zone 1 Technical Team.  Zone 1 employs individuals who are highly motivated to foster an environment of fun, learning, accessibility and professionalism for young soccer players ages 3 to 12 years old. The Rising Rapids & 9U-10U Select Program Director needs a growth mindset and a positive, collaborative attitude in order to deliver a high-level experience for our Rapids Zone 1 families.  

POSITION MAJOR OBJECTIVES:

1. Communication - Develop and maintain consistent communication processes based on expectations outlined by the Technical Director & Regional Manager with players, staff coaches and parents, establishing relationships and trust at all levels of the game;
2. Apply the Rapids Way - Implement the technical portion of the Rising Rapids & U9/U10 Select Program within the parameters of the Colorado Rapids Zone 1 system;
3. Teach - Facilitate a positive, learner-centered environment focused on the holistic long-term development of each individual player;
4. Games - Represent the Club and Rising Rapids & 9U/10U Select Program with professionalism, positive demeanor and respect. Model appropriate game-day behaviors by encouraging age-appropriate competition while also fostering a fun and safe learning environment for all children, coaches, parents and referees;
5. Coach Education – Implement appropriate education opportunities for staff coaches; identify, hire, retain and lead additional technical staff, including support staff and team coaches; organize and evaluate age-appropriate coaching clinics; actively pursue personal education in order to maintain the highest standards of education
6. Culture/Leader – Serve as the key leader in exemplifying and upholding the standards and culture of the Rising Rapids & 9U/10U Select Program that results in a memorable player experience on and off the field.
   
   

POSITION JOB FUNCTIONS:

Communication

Quality communication is one of the most important pieces of our work within youth soccer. 

• Create and maintain quality rapport with all coaches, players, and parents, developing trust and reliability in yourself and the Rapids brand;
• Develop, organize, and manage communication protocol for the Rising Rapids & U9/U10 Select Program including, but not limited to player placement, coach placement, team assignments, registration dates, program information, updates to members, key transition information and all ongoing communication to keep members informed

Applying the Rapids Way

Our directors must be leaders in carrying out the principles, attitudes and culture of CRYSC and deliver on that mission every day.  

• Be a positive, patient leader implementing the technical/tactical requirements of this age group;
• Be a reliable resource and advisor to the player placement process throughout the year, giving other coaches and directors a working knowledge of player attributes at each level;
• Understand and implement our Style of Play and create/run challenging training sessions focused around decision making on the part of the player and most importantly, an enjoyment of the game of soccer
• Provide age- and developmentally-appropriate curricula for teams and programs
• Evaluate players appropriately by leading, facilitating and evaluating the player placement process in conjunction with other staff;

Teach

We have found the coaches in youth soccer have a passion for education. Education is the foundation of why we do what we do and where we strive for excellence in ourselves and our peers.

• Maintain and fully implement all the education objectives set forth by the Technical Director and other Club resources;
• Execute the mission, curriculum, and methodology of Club technology platforms; 
• Oversee, prioritize and guide the holistic development of each individual player in the program.
• Supervise training of teams and monitor player development and coach development at each session
• Maintain the voice for the Rapids style of play through constant two-way communication with families and players;
• Serve as the head coach for a maximum of two Select teams

Lead

We look to every director to be a leader in the organization and to have the highest standards not only for themselves but for those around them in order to maintain a standard of excellence. 

• Practice what you preach. Exhibit the standards of excellence you expect out of your players and families;
• Communicate clearly, effectively and often with coaches players and parents in a respectful manner;
• Manage players, parents and coaches in the program  with compassion and understanding while still maintaining high standards of professionalism;
• Continue to develop the capacities (technical, tactical, mental, physical, personal, lifestyle) of players to reach levels beyond youth in order to maximize the possibility of further opportunities. (i.e. Development Academy, College, Professional); and
• Maintain competitiveness and standing in Colorado, regional, and national markets.

Evaluate

Constant evaluation of program experience at all levels, from the players to coaches to parents, will allow us to make adjustments to increase program effectiveness and player enjoyment.

• Continuously evaluate each coach throughout the season to ensure maximum enjoyment and development of each player;
• Supervise the Club’s player evaluation process which includes: written assessments, interviews/feedback, specific recommendations for further development and follow-up; and
• Provide detailed feedback to Zone 1 Technical Director regarding player development and program execution.

POSITION MARKERS OF SUCCESS:

• Joy in the Soccer Experience – a positive player experience is naturally different at each level of competition and age. Our goal as a Rising Rapids & 9U/10U Select Program is for our players to love playing soccer and our process/actions should be consistent with this goal;
• Retention and Satisfaction – a successful soccer process should result in improved retention across the club on an annual and longitudinal basis; 
• Playing Style – a successful soccer process should result in consistency in playing style across all levels and teams in the Program, relative to the level of competition;
• Consistency - our soccer process should result in a more consistent player experience across the Club and fully prepare each player for the next stage in their development;
• Member Enjoyment – We believe the individual player and team experience is the single greatest factor that results in building a great culture. A successful soccer process should result in an experience that engages players, staff, coaches, families, and partners as proud stakeholders of Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club.

About Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club

Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club (CRYSC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. CRYSC is Colorado’s premier youth soccer experience and the only club in Colorado to offer opportunities from three-years-old to professional, from beginner to Major League Soccer, with year-round youth soccer programs of all levels serving 10,000 children across the Front Range seasonally. CRYSC provides top-quality leagues, camps, and tournaments that serve beginner to elite players locally, regionally, and nationally. As a Top 100 Youth Soccer Club in the U.S. and a consistent winner of Colorado’s Top Youth Soccer Club by Colorado Parent Magazine, CRYSC values holistic child development as ‘The Heart Behind the Crest’ and cultivating remarkable coaches. The club prides itself on supporting players and coaches through a number of other programs, such as the nation’s largest college placement program, an integrated relationship with UCHealth Sports Medicine, an online digital education platform that serves players, coaches, and parents, and a fully integrated sports psychology program. With satellite leagues, camps, and tournaments across Colorado, we are confident we can provide your child a fun and enriching home to play soccer.

Connections working at Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club