DURANGO YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION AND
RIO RAPIDS OF ALBUQUERQUE
ANNOUNCE ALLIANCE
PRESS RELEASE
September 6, 2018 - Durango, CO - The Durango Youth Soccer Association (DYSA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce their affiliation with Rio Rapids Soccer Club (RRSC) of Albuquerque, New Mexico and the Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer team. The Durango, Colorado based club will now be known as Rio Rapids Durango Soccer Club . This agreement expands the number of clubs affiliated with the Colorado Rapids and Rio Rapids in our region to three: Río Rapids Strikers (Las Cruces), Rio Rapids Northern (Santa Fe), and Rio Rapids Durango.
RRSC Executive Director Jason Moran said, “ We are very excited to announce the alliance with Durango Youth Soccer Association. The two clubs are closely aligned in terms of philosophy on player development, as well as the desire to improve coach and parent education. These are some of the areas we will focus on in the coming weeks and months which we are all very excited about.”
DYSA will continue as a Durango Youth Soccer Association managed by its local board, elected by its members. As an affiliate of Rio Rapids, we will compete as Rio Rapids Durango during the regular season and at tournaments. Our public image, including our uniforms, website, banners and press releases will feature our new identity and logo as Rio Rapids Durango.
“The board explored several opportunities that were presented to us and based on our research concluded that the Rio Rapids organization matched with our mission statement,” said DYSA Board President Charlie Milliet. “The DYSA Board believes the alliance will create new opportunities for the Durango soccer community. Rio is a fantastic organization and I feel confident this is the right direction for our players.”
The affiliation provides our players a developmental pathway through guest training, guest playing and team opportunities. The access to the Rapids curriculum, parent education, and coach education gives the staff, coaches, and members more resources to be successful. Though the two organizations are collaborating, both clubs will continue to offer their existing soccer programs. We will be able to exchange ideas and share resources which will promote a more comprehensive soccer program.
“This alliance will expand our program for all our members. We can provide more resources for our coaches through coach education and access to the Rapids curriculum,” said DYSA Technical Director Kate Stahlin. “It will promote player development at ALL levels.”
For more details click "Your Questions Answered".
See the Video from Brian Crookham the Colorado Rapids, Director of Soccer Development, welcoming Durango Youth Soccer to the Colorado Rapids family.