Girls ECNL (U13 – U18/19)
Boys ECNL (U14 – U18)
Boys Junior DA (U12 – U14)
Boys MLS Rapids DA (U12 – U19)
For Current ECNL boys and girls and boys Junior DA player, will they be able to remain on their teams?
As would be the case for those players currently without the merger, all players will be evaluated through the course of their season and other player assessment events, including tryouts. The same process will be implemented as if the two clubs remained independent. The merger will provide a stronger and larger player pool for these teams and we also believe there will be additional players coming from outside our two clubs, which will also increase the depth of our player pools from which to form teams. Players will be evaluated based on the pool of players available, which is the same process if the two clubs remained separate.
When and where will the try-out event / player assessment occur?
Rapids Youth competitive players will go through the same process as previous years where there will be no tryouts for existing competitive players in the club, except for new incoming U11 players, new players to the club, and goalkeepers. Spots for next year will be offered in advance for U12 and above players of the end of the spring season and will be based on the player’s entire body of work and other factors utilized by the coaching staff to put players in the best environment for success.
Storm competitive players will go through the same tryout process as previous years, which will take place the last week of May and will be consistent with the tryout process of previous years as implemented by Storm staff.
Elite team tryouts will follow a consistent timeline from previous years with specific communication going out from respective clubs for each elite program.
Will the coaches for ECNL teams and Junior DA remain the same? If not, how will my child get the benefit of prior experience and knowledge of the existing coaching staffs? Will there be any information sharing regarding current players?
Coaching decisions are still ‘to be determined’. However, Storm has some excellent coaches and our goal is keep in place as many as possible. In any event, the process will 100% involve maintaining resident knowledge of players and age groups to ensure there is a transfer of knowledge to the coaching staffs going forward, where needed. We are confident that coaches from both clubs will conduct themselves as professionals and will collaborate for the benefit of players and the process as a whole.
What about the “Junior” Development Academy programs Storm currently offers? Will it be merged into one program with the MLS Rapids DA or can the two programs both remain?
The U.S. Soccer Federation has indicated that the combined club will be able to retain both “junior” Development Academy programs with their current respective structures. One will remain a sponsored program of the the MLS Rapids club, providing a “no-cost” program, and the other Junior DA will remain a member-paid based program. Both teams will continue to compete in the same Junior Development Academy league in Colorado.
Does the combined club want to have a Girls Development Academy program?
Yes, we will make a case as a combined club for inclusion in the girls Development Academy. Our goal is to provide access to every elite pathway in the game for girls and boys in our club. In the meantime, we will continue to implement our approach of a player-centered development model that illustrates the individual and team style of play that we believe allows our players and teams to have success not just now, but moreover, as they progress in age and the competitive environment increases, particularly at the elite levels.
Will there be player movement across the different elite programs offered?
Players in Development Academy are not allowed to participate in other leagues or programs, with the exception of players who are a Developmental Player status. Outside of this, player movement will be practiced where it makes sense, as players can change over the course of a season and where players may benefit from a different environment, whether up or down. However, player movement will not be implemented for the sake of movement itself.
Where will the Development Academy and ECNL teams practice?
The goal will be to have the least disruption as possible to existing practice field locations and it is expected that teams will continue to practice in their current locations.