Roaring Fork Valley Soccer Club is a volunteer driven educational organization dedicated to advancing the game of soccer among all players by promoting sportsmanship, individual skill development, knowledge of team play and fostering a spirit of community involvement.

Club Goals:

• Provide a healthy, safe and enjoyable soccer environment to all participants
•  Promote integrity, honesty, goodwill and respect for self and others
• Provide educational soccer opportunities to all players, coaches, referees, parents and the community at large
• Provide tactical and technical skills instruction appropriate to each player's stage of development
• Provide levels of competition to match each player's ability, interest and desire
• Encourage participation to all members of the community
• Actively participate with other organizations (e.g. area schools, non-profits, youth programs) that promote health and well-being for the youth in the Roaring Fork Valley
• Provide financial support to all levels of participation
• Encourage continued membership in the Club and maintaining long-term financial and leadership sustainability

The acquisition of soccer skills is a long developmental process where players progress gradually from a simple action to complex involvement in the game. The following structure will identify a number of stages players go through to achieve overall soccer success:

FUNdamental Stage (Academy) - 5 to 8 Years
Coaches are responsible for developing a general understanding of the basic rules of the game.  Stress the FUNdamentals of soccer at this age. These rules are best taught in the third progression of the practice, which is the free play.  Players should have a good understanding of how to perform the specific tasks and the rules that accompany them.

       - Introduction to soccer
       - The love of soccer is best nurtured by allowing the freedom of playing within small-group situations
       - The desire for the ball and the thrill of scoring goals will produce the desire to play real soccer

Developmental Stage - 9 to 12 Years
The players should have a deeper understanding of the rules, and should be encouraged to explore the gray areas of the rules.  This does not mean encouraging the players to “cheat,” but figuring out how to gain advantages within the games (i.e. taking free kicks quickly, figuring out how much physical play the referee will allow.)

       - Acquisition of basic skills
       - The introduction of key concepts
       - The motivation to learn basic skills is never greater than this age level
       - Players will begin to change from being self-centered to being self-critical and develop the need for group or team games
       - The game itself should be central to all skills training
       - Small-sided games are appropriate

Intermediate Stage - 13 to 15 Years
First two years playing 11v11. Players should know the rules of the game, and should be encouraged to understand the "grey area" of the rules, the etiquette of the game, and the gamesmanship of the game.  This is usually accomplished by watching the game being played at very high levels, both in person and on television.  

       - The pace of development quickens at this level due to the acceleration of physical and mental maturation
       - The demands of skill-training should like-wise increase
       - Awareness within an 11-a side game becomes an important part of the practice

Advanced Stage - 16 Years and Up
Players should know the rules of the game, and should be encouraged to understand the "grey area" of the rules, the etiquette of the game, and the gamesmanship of the game.  This is usually accomplished by watching the game being played at very high levels, both in person and on television.  The game can become very physical at this age, and playing within the exact rules of the game can put players at a disadvantage.  Teaching players to deal with the physical side of the game can help ensure the players' safety. 

       - Conforming to adult standards
       - Sound understanding of the game’s principles and concepts
       - Mastery of basic skills
       - Emotional stability when confronted with pressure situations
       - Preparation for playing at the collegiate level