Ten Questions With Colorado Rapids Academy Director of Coaching - Brian Crookham...
Brian Crookham was recently named the Colorado Rapids Academy Director of Coaching. In addition to being one of the Colorado Rapids’ television announcers on Altitude, Brian has been working around Colorado in different soccer organizations. Now he’s landed at the top of the heap, in the big leagues. Brian was kind enough to answer some questions regarding the Colorado Rapids developing youth organization. Here is what he had to say:
FCTP: Are you modeling the Rapids youth organization after a foreign model? If so, is there one in particular?
BC: We have looked at a number of models around the world. I don’t think there is one specific model from a club that is the perfect fit for us. We have unique challenges, not all of which are bad, that call for unique solutions. For now, US Soccer’s Development Academy plan addresses many of our needs. That said, our curriculum will be influenced by our experiences both internationally and here at home and we will be constantly working to give our players the best possible environment to develop in.
FCTP: What youth teams will be playing for the Rapids in the fall of 2007?
BC: For the fall of ’07 we will sponsor U16 and U18 teams in the US Soccer Development Academy. Rosters must have a minimum of 20 players, which is where we will be. Our conference will include 2 clubs from Northern California, 2 clubs from the Seattle area, a club from Portland and the two other Colorado clubs, Colorado Rush and Real Colorado.
FCTP: How many kids tried out for the youth teams?
BC: We had a total of 54 players train and compete with our U16 and U17 Super Y League teams this summer. Some had the time and ability to compete with us all summer and some just came to train. They represented clubs from Ft. Collins to Pueblo and everywhere in between. Since we announced that we were joining the Development Academy we have been inundated with phone calls and emails about the program. As we look to set our final rosters over the next couple of weeks we will evaluate dozens more players.
FCTP: What is your vision for the academy 3 years from now? 10 years?
BC: Right now our Youth Academy supports a couple of different programs. The grassroots training and camp programs that John Murphy has done such a great job of running will continue to grow. Our youth teams will start with just the U16 and U18 boys teams but our hope is to have a fully integrated youth development program that will provide year round training for recreational players who will become our competitive players, who intern go on to the U23s, the Reserves or the 1st team. We will have to see how quickly we can make that happen. I think it is safe to say that we need to have a fully functional, top to bottom youth development program that serves the grassroots camp kids, the recreational players, the competitive players, and the aspiring professionals well before we hit the ten year mark. We have the support of the organization on this project, we just have to make sure we grow at a rate that allows us quality control over the product. That ability to put out a quality product will dictate how fast we get there.
FCTP: When will you add more youth teams?
BC: That is a great question. I have no doubt we will add teams (or players) down the line. We are currently finalizing our development model from the littlest ones all the way to the pros. We want to be careful to not end up as just another club. When the time is right and we can support additional participants we will do it. We are in no hurry.
FCTP: What will the new US Soccer Development Academy mean to the Colorado Rapids?
BC: The Development Academy gives us a vehicle to find meaningful, high level games while concentrating on providing quality training as well. When you get to train 3-4 times for every game you play you have the time to teach players how to play the game, not just how to win tomorrow’s game. The Development Academy setup also allows us to meet MLS Homegrown Player initiatives. There are many factors that have created the current club soccer environment and I think it is past time for US Soccer to get a handle on it, even if it is just with the elite players right now. I can’t tell you how important it is that the leadership of this club is supporting our efforts in this program, I really think you will see a difference in the quality of play we have on the field.
FCTP: What will the season look like for the teams the Rapids are putting into the Academy?
BC:Late in the fall we will start competing in Development Academy games. We will play 14 games (7 home, 7 away) within our Conference. We will also play 8 games against teams from a neighboring conference. The remaining 8-10 games will be against national opponents in multi-game weekends. The first week of December, the week following Christmas and Easter week will provide breaks in the schedule where we can compete in other events such as MLS, adidas or international tournaments. The league will finish with a National Championship at Home Depot Center in July.
FCTP: What other events are you planning on entering youth teams into?
BC: As I mentioned earlier, we have the unique opportunity to play in both MLS and adidas competitions when the Development Academy is on break. MLS currently has an under 17 tournament around the All- Star game, there are preliminary plans for another tournament we may look at in December, and our partnerships with Arsenal and Pachuca as well as our relationships with other clubs all over the world certainly present some exciting opportunities for us worldwide. The real challenge is narrowing it down to the opportunities that are appropriate for us.
FCTP: Can a Colorado Rapids youth player still play for The Colorado Rush or another club team?
BC: The players currently on our Super Y League teams are participating with their home clubs. Once they join one of our Academy League teams they will not have that ability. Academy League players will be limited to competing with their Academy club, their high school soccer team and their National Team.
FCTP: Can a Colorado Rapids youth player still play for their high school?
BC: The information that I have today indicates that players should be able to play with their high school teams this fall without major conflict.
Thank you, Brian for your time answering questions on the new youth development system within the Colorado Rapids. I can't wait until the first homegrown player takes the field. Good luck!
FCTP: Are you modeling the Rapids youth organization after a foreign model? If so, is there one in particular?
BC: We have looked at a number of models around the world. I don’t think there is one specific model from a club that is the perfect fit for us. We have unique challenges, not all of which are bad, that call for unique solutions. For now, US Soccer’s Development Academy plan addresses many of our needs. That said, our curriculum will be influenced by our experiences both internationally and here at home and we will be constantly working to give our players the best possible environment to develop in.
FCTP: What youth teams will be playing for the Rapids in the fall of 2007?
BC: For the fall of ’07 we will sponsor U16 and U18 teams in the US Soccer Development Academy. Rosters must have a minimum of 20 players, which is where we will be. Our conference will include 2 clubs from Northern California, 2 clubs from the Seattle area, a club from Portland and the two other Colorado clubs, Colorado Rush and Real Colorado.
FCTP: How many kids tried out for the youth teams?
BC: We had a total of 54 players train and compete with our U16 and U17 Super Y League teams this summer. Some had the time and ability to compete with us all summer and some just came to train. They represented clubs from Ft. Collins to Pueblo and everywhere in between. Since we announced that we were joining the Development Academy we have been inundated with phone calls and emails about the program. As we look to set our final rosters over the next couple of weeks we will evaluate dozens more players.
FCTP: What is your vision for the academy 3 years from now? 10 years?
BC: Right now our Youth Academy supports a couple of different programs. The grassroots training and camp programs that John Murphy has done such a great job of running will continue to grow. Our youth teams will start with just the U16 and U18 boys teams but our hope is to have a fully integrated youth development program that will provide year round training for recreational players who will become our competitive players, who intern go on to the U23s, the Reserves or the 1st team. We will have to see how quickly we can make that happen. I think it is safe to say that we need to have a fully functional, top to bottom youth development program that serves the grassroots camp kids, the recreational players, the competitive players, and the aspiring professionals well before we hit the ten year mark. We have the support of the organization on this project, we just have to make sure we grow at a rate that allows us quality control over the product. That ability to put out a quality product will dictate how fast we get there.
FCTP: When will you add more youth teams?
BC: That is a great question. I have no doubt we will add teams (or players) down the line. We are currently finalizing our development model from the littlest ones all the way to the pros. We want to be careful to not end up as just another club. When the time is right and we can support additional participants we will do it. We are in no hurry.
FCTP: What will the new US Soccer Development Academy mean to the Colorado Rapids?
BC: The Development Academy gives us a vehicle to find meaningful, high level games while concentrating on providing quality training as well. When you get to train 3-4 times for every game you play you have the time to teach players how to play the game, not just how to win tomorrow’s game. The Development Academy setup also allows us to meet MLS Homegrown Player initiatives. There are many factors that have created the current club soccer environment and I think it is past time for US Soccer to get a handle on it, even if it is just with the elite players right now. I can’t tell you how important it is that the leadership of this club is supporting our efforts in this program, I really think you will see a difference in the quality of play we have on the field.
FCTP: What will the season look like for the teams the Rapids are putting into the Academy?
BC:Late in the fall we will start competing in Development Academy games. We will play 14 games (7 home, 7 away) within our Conference. We will also play 8 games against teams from a neighboring conference. The remaining 8-10 games will be against national opponents in multi-game weekends. The first week of December, the week following Christmas and Easter week will provide breaks in the schedule where we can compete in other events such as MLS, adidas or international tournaments. The league will finish with a National Championship at Home Depot Center in July.
FCTP: What other events are you planning on entering youth teams into?
BC: As I mentioned earlier, we have the unique opportunity to play in both MLS and adidas competitions when the Development Academy is on break. MLS currently has an under 17 tournament around the All- Star game, there are preliminary plans for another tournament we may look at in December, and our partnerships with Arsenal and Pachuca as well as our relationships with other clubs all over the world certainly present some exciting opportunities for us worldwide. The real challenge is narrowing it down to the opportunities that are appropriate for us.
FCTP: Can a Colorado Rapids youth player still play for The Colorado Rush or another club team?
BC: The players currently on our Super Y League teams are participating with their home clubs. Once they join one of our Academy League teams they will not have that ability. Academy League players will be limited to competing with their Academy club, their high school soccer team and their National Team.
FCTP: Can a Colorado Rapids youth player still play for their high school?
BC: The information that I have today indicates that players should be able to play with their high school teams this fall without major conflict.
Thank you, Brian for your time answering questions on the new youth development system within the Colorado Rapids. I can't wait until the first homegrown player takes the field. Good luck!
Labels: Colorado Rapids, Colorado Rapids Academy, MLS, Youth Development
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