Take your game to the next level. Play Futsal.

Join the Rapids this winter at the Armory in Whitefish
The first ever Futsal Indoor League

First Session (Dec. 13-Jan. 29) - 1 or 2 games per week - 10 Games = $200/Team
Second Session (Feb. 7-Mar. 20) - 1 or 2 games per week - 10 Games = $200/Team

Each session will feature a total of 10 games during 6 weeks. There will be no games during the holiday break.  Each team will play 1 or 2 games per week on Tuesday/Wednesday/Sunday evenings. U10-12 will play 4v4, and U13 and up will play 5v5. All games will be 2 x 20 minute halves.

Each session will cost $200 per team. Teams participating in both sessions will receive a 10% discount. All teams are required to bring $5 per game to pay for referee fees. Team rosters and liability waivers will need to be completed prior to the first game.

FIRST SESSION REGISTRATION DEADLINE = December 5, 2011

INFORMATION -- 509.991.6909

Download registration form

Download promotional flyer

A big thank you to everyone that was involved in the 2011 Senior Showcase. We will be posting an event wrap up within the next few weeks. DVD copies of the Boys and Girls Showcase games are now available for only $10/each. Send an email to O'Brien Byrd for details...and/or to place an order. Here is a link to our Showcase Promotional Video.

Flathead Rapids 1st Annual Senior Showcase & Valley Cup Soccer Games

The event will be held on Friday, November 4, 2011 at Memorial Fields in Whitefish, Montana. The evening will kick‐off with the Girls Senior Showcase Game at 4pm followed by the Boys Senior Showcase Game at 5:30pm. The event will conclude with a high level game featuring former Collegiate and Semi‐Professional soccer players with the host team Flathead Rapids playing the Green Monarchs (Sandpoint, ID) in the inaugural Valley Cup at 7pm. The three‐game lineup will showcase the highest level of soccer Northwest Montana has to offer!

Ticket sales at the gate: $5.00 adult, 12 and under free, $10.00 family pass.

Seeking Sponsorships...Get Involved.

Sponsorship Form

Promotional Flyer

Event Details - Press Release

Player Sign-up Form

Rapids Play Date - Saturday, June 18th Game Times & Schedule

Academy Parents:

I have listed the confirmed schedule and game times below for our home play date Saturday, June 18th at Smith Fields. Boys and Girls ages 9 and older will be able to participate in the games. Please have your son and/or daughter arrive at the fields 30 minutes before the start of each game. Games will be two 30 minute halves. All players will need to bring their white academy t-shirts, black shorts and socks, shinguards and cleats. We will have colored scrimmage vests available if our opponents have the same color jersey.

Rapids Play Date - Smith Fields Saturday, June 18th

Academy Game Schedule

Girls Team:

Rapids U10/11 Girls vs. Flathead U-10 Girls - 8v8                (10:45am Field #2)

Rapids U10/11 Girls vs. Missoula U-10 Girls - 6v6                (2:30pm Field #1)

Boys Team:

Rapids U10/11 Boys vs. Polson U-11 Boys - 8v8                   (12:00pm Field #2)

Rapids U10/11 Boys vs. Missoula U-11 Boys - 8v8               (3:45pm Field #2)

Also, we will be hosting scrimmages at Smith Fields on Thursday, June 16th from 5:30pm to 7:00pm.

THANKS!

Final Academy Updates!

The Micro academy program will end June 9 and the academy program will end following the play date on June 18. We would like everyone to wear their academy t-shirt on Thursday, June 9 so that we can take a group picture. After the image is finalized, I will send the image via email and post it on our blog page for download. We plan to play some games and host some competitions with prizes to round out the program.

In regards to our play date, thus far we have only received a few RSVP’s (see list below). Our home play date is scheduled with Academy teams from Flathead Soccer Club, Polson Soccer Club, and Missoula Soccer Club on Saturday, June 18 at Smith Fields in Whitefish. We need to find out ASAP if your son and/or daughter will be able to participate in the games. The schedule will be finalized after receiving confirmation from all teams and clubs that will be involved. We would like to squad a U-10/11 Girls and U-10/11 Boys team. Each team will play 8v8 including goalkeepers with two 30 minute halves. Teams will play two games on the day, typically morning and afternoon. All players will need to bring their white academy t-shirts, black shorts and socks, shinguards and cleats. We will have colored scrimmage vests available if our opponents have the same color jersey.

After the game times have been announced, you will receive the information via email, as well as on our blog page. We will run a scrimmage training session prior to the play date on June 16 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm to prepare for the play date.

Here is a list of the confirmed players for the final play date of the season:

Girls:

Nadia Nargi

Olivia Potthoff

Audrey Hyatt

Jessica Henson

Shaelynn Turk

Natalie Sullivan

Tori McIntyre

Boys:

Xander Burger

Ian Lacey

Carver Gilman

Cody Brandt

Sam Menicke

Please contact me directly with any questions you may have about the play date and/or the program completion dates.

Thanks in advance,

Ryan Billiet, Academy Director

Montana Flathead Rapids

Tel: (719) 214-0344

Ryan@jpixmontana.com

www.FlatheadRapids.com

http://flatheadrapids.blogspot.com/

Academy Play Date June 18 at Smith Fields!

Rapids Play Date:

We will be hosting a play date with Academy teams from Flathead Soccer Club, Polson Soccer Club, and Missoula Soccer Club Saturday, June 18 at Smith Fields in Whitefish. We need to find out if your son and/or daughter will be able to participate in the games. The schedule will be finalized after receiving confirmation from all teams and clubs that will be involved. We would like to squad a U-10/11 Girls and U-10/11 Boys team. Each team will play 8v8 including goalkeepers with two 30 minute halves. Teams will play two games on the day, typically morning and afternoon. All players will need to bring their white academy t-shirts, black shorts and socks, shinguards and cleats. We will have colored scrimmage vests available if our opponents have the same color jersey.

We need to know if your son and/or daughter will be participating in this event. Please let me know via email ASAP, so that we can finalize the schedule and roster. After the game times have been announced, you will receive the information via email, as well as on our blog page. We will run a scrimmage training session prior to the play date on June 16 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm to prepare for the play date. The Micro academy program will end June 9 and the Academy program will end following the play date on June 18. All academy players will be given a ball to keep after the training session on June 9. Please ensure that your son/daughter has received a t-shirt. If not, please let us know…

Please contact me directly with any questions you may have about the play date and/or the program completion dates.

Thanks in advance,

Ryan Billiet, Academy Director

Montana Flathead Rapids

Tel: (719) 214-0344

Ryan@jpixmontana.com

www.FlatheadRapids.com

http://flatheadrapids.blogspot.com/

Academy Training Session Cancelled 5-26-11

Academy Parents:

Smith Fields has closed the north side of the soccer complex today because of pooling water and unsafe field conditions. Due to this closure and other factors we have decided to cancel the academy training session tonight. We will resume training next Tuesday as scheduled.

Thanks!

Kalispell Play Date Schedule and Game Times!

I have just received the final schedule and game times for the Kalispell Play Date Saturday, May 21 at Kidsport Fields. Please have your son and/or daughter arrive at the fields (near the concession stand) 30 minutes before the start of each game. All games will be 8v8 including GK’s with two 30 minute halves. All players will need to bring their white academy t-shirts, black shorts and socks, shinguards and cleats. We will have colored scrimmage vests available if our opponents have the same color jersey.

Game Schedule

Girls Team:

Rapids U10/U11 Girls vs. FSC U11 Girls - 8v8 (10:00am Field #2)

Rapids U10/U11 Girls vs. Polson U11 Girls - 8v8 (3:15pm Field #2)

Boys Team:

Rapids U10/U11 Boys vs. FSC U11 Boys - 8v8 (11:15am Field #1)

Rapids U10/U11 Boys vs. FSC U10 Boys - 8v8 (3:15pm Field #1)

Academy Games Scheduled!

Academy Parents:

We would like to inform you about an upcoming game recently scheduled with the Bigfork U-10/11 Girls team. Our Academy Girls Ages 9 and older will participate in the game schedule next Tuesday, May 17 at 5:30pm Smith Fields. If your daughter in this age group, please have them arrive at Smith Fields by 5:00pm with their white academy t-shirts, black shorts and socks, shinguards and cleats. The game will be 8v8 including goalkeepers with two 30 minute halves. Since we have several girls within this age group, we will split our girls up into two teams that will each compete in on half of the game.

Please let me know if your daughter is unable to participate in the game by the end of the week. All other Academy participants will train at the fields from 5:30-7:00pm as scheduled.

Kalispell Play Date:

The Flathead Force Soccer Club will be hosting a play date with our Academy Club and the Polson Soccer Club Saturday, May 21 at Kidsport Fields in Kalispell. We need to find out if your son and/or daughter will be able to participate in the games. The schedule will be finalized after receiving confirmation from all teams/clubs that will be involved. We would like to bring a U-10 Girls and Boys team, as well as a U-11 Boys and Girls Team. The U-10’s will play 6v6 including goalkeepers with two 25 minute halves. The U-11’s will play 8v8 including goalkeepers with two 30 minute halves. Each team will play two games on the day, typically morning and afternoon. All players will need to bring their white academy t-shirts, black shorts and socks, shinguards and cleats. We will have colored scrimmage vests available if our opponents have the same color jersey.

We need to know if your son and/or daughter will be participating in this event. Please let me know via email ASAP, so that we can finalize the schedule accordingly. After the game times have been announced, you will receive the information via email, as well as on our blog page. Also, we would like to see if any parents may be willing to volunteer as parent trainer coaches during the event. It will be a full day, so it would be advantageous to have a parent representative associated with each team. Please let me know if you have any interest in getting involved. If so, I will follow up with you prior to the play date with detailed information. We plan to run scrimmages with our teams on Thursday, May 19 in preparation of the event. This will be a great opportunity to work hands on with the academy coaches and the players before the big day!

The Micro Academy participants; Boys and Girls Ages 8 and under will be focusing on internal small sided games and technical skill development. However, Flathead Force has a similar program and we may be willing to coordinate a micro soccer event sometime within the next few weeks. We will keep you posted with any developments.

Thanks,

Ryan Billiet, Academy Director

Montana Flathead Rapids

Tel: (719) 214-0344

Ryan@jpixmontana.com  

www.FlatheadRapids.com  

http://flatheadrapids.blogspot.com/

Rapids Mentoring Program

The Flathead Rapids Mentoring program goes beyond teams, camps, or academies. This program was developed to introduce the Flathead Valley and the State of Montana with its first 1 on 1 private training program for youth soccer players. It takes 10,000 hours of deliberate training to become a top class soccer player. With our private training we can speed up this process and extract the best potential out of our players.

Our players receive a fully individual and customized program that focuses on a player's weaknesses as well as their strengths. With this type of individual training we have a big picture view on a player's development. We are looking to develop our local players into a high level of success in high school, college, and beyond. With camps, academies, club teams, and private training the Rapids can provide the Flathead Valley with the essential ingredients for success in soccer.

Go Beyond Training.

Download program overview and price guide.

For more information or to get started please contact:

Sean Person

Rapids Mentoring Director

509-991-6909

rapidsmentoringprogram@gmail.com

Back to Smith Fields!

The Academy training sessions will return to Smith Fields in Whitefish tomorrow evening. The field maintenance director and crew have been working tirelessly to get the fields back to a safe playable surface. Thanks to some help from Mother Nature...we have been given the green light to return to full training at our home pitch.

We plan to train from this point forward at Smith Fields from 5:30pm-7:00pm. Our Academy fields will be located in the Southeast corner of the complex near the playground. Thanks for your patience during this transition.

See you tomorrow!

Thanks, Ryan

Academy Training Sessions temporarily moved to Horine Park in Columbia Falls

Smith Fields Sports Complex has officially closed until further notice due to snow, standing water, and overall dangerous surface conditions. The caretaker and maintenance director made the decision based on several variables, but most importantly the safety and well being of all field users. Due to this closure, we have reserved Horine Park in Columbia Falls to host our next three Academy Training Sessions (Apr. 21, 26, 28). We anticipate Smith Fields to be ready for training and game play by early May, so we will resume our field sessions at Smith Complex May 3^rd.

Here is a map link to Horine Park: http://mapq.st/hqX7Ps

It surrounds the City Water building between Talbot Road and Beth Road (the address is 11 Beth Road)

Thank you for your patience and understanding. This spring weather has been quite an obstacle, but we look forward to a great season ahead!

Warm Regards,

Ryan Billiet, Academy Director

Montana Flathead Rapids

Academy Session Cancelled 4-19-11

Academy Parents:

Unfortunately, due to the dangerous weather and surface conditions Smith Fields has been closed today for training. However, our staff will be out at the concession stand this evening from 5-6pm to facilitate player check-in, distribution of equipment, and process last minute registrations. Please let me know if you need me to send this notice to another email address and/or require a phone call for any additional cancelled session throughout the 8-week program. I will be sending emails by noon of the day of the training session if we need to cancel. We will be holding our kick-off on Thursday, April 21^st at 5:30pm.

Thanks in advance.

Ryan Billiet, Academy Director

Montana Flathead Rapids

Tel: (719) 214-0344

Ryan@jpixmontana.com

www.FlatheadRapids.com

http://flatheadrapids.blogspot.com/

Academy postponed one week...more time to register!

The Montana Flathead Rapids and Glacier United Soccer Club  have made an executive decision to postpone the start of the 2011 Spring Soccer Academy. The 8-week program will now be held April 19th thru June 9th. The one week extension will allow for an extra week to register for the program. Our new registration deadline is April 8, 2011. Click here for the registration form.

It's April and we still have 4-6" of snow on Smith Fields. We need to ensure the safety of each participant and allow ample time for proper field preparations. The coaches are anxious to get out there and look forward to the season. Please feel free to contact the Academy Director, Ryan Billiet at 719-214-0344 or email ryan@jpixmontana.com with questions. Any questions regarding registration please contact the Glacier United Administrator, Rael Atlee at 406-249-7740 or email glacierunited@gmail.com.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.

Rapids Summer Camp

The Whitefish Parks and Recreation Department recently hired the Montana Flathead Rapids to host their 2011 Summer Soccer Camp. This is a collaborative effort to keep our camps here in the north valley local. The coaching pool is made up of exceptional talent which includes; accredited and licensed instructors, current high school and club coaches, former semi-professional and collegiate level soccer players, and decorated athletes with measured success and accolades.

Boys and Girls ages 6-14
August 8-12, 2011
Grouse Mountain Park
Monday through Friday
9:00AM to 3:00PM
$125.00/player

Registration Deadline:
Friday, July 22, 2011

Mail Application to:
Parks & Recreation Office
504 Railway St.
Whitefish, MT 59937

Make checks payable to:
Whitefish Parks & Recreation

All the skills and thrills of soccer are taught through fast-paced drills, skill-building exercises, and game-speed scrimmages. Coaches will focus on the essential skills of dribbling, passing, shooting, and ball control to enable young athletes to play with confidence and have fun.  Participants receive a ball, t-shirt, and player evaluation form completed by their coach.  Make sure you bring appropriate clothing, running shoes or cleats, sunscreen, shin guards, lunch, snacks and a water bottle.  For more information on the Rapids organization, visit their website at www.flatheadrapids.com.

Camp Questions:
Call Jim Langley, Rec. Coordinator
863-2472

Download Registration Form and Flyer

Micro vs. Academy

Micro Recreational Soccer (U7 through U9)

Spring Academy Registration is now open. Tryout not required

8-Week Local Program - April 12 through June 2, 2011

Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:30-7:00pm at Smith Fields - Whitefish

The Montana Flathead Rapids Micro Soccer program uses methods developed and endorsed by the United States Soccer Federation. This special program has been shown to help children to not only learn the game of soccer but to help them develop as individuals. The prime feature of Micro Soccer is the concept of small sided games.

The benefits of Small Sided games are:

• Allows players to handle the ball more often

• More ball touches allows more opportunities for success

• More ball touches allows for faster skill development

• Small size teams allows for better player to coach ratio

• Games and practices are designed to develop player confidence, creativity and decision making

• Better Coaching…Less Travel…and More Playing Time!

Academy Developmental (U10 through U11)

Spring Academy Registration is now open. Tryout not required

10-Week Local/Regional Program - April 12 through June 18, 2011

Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:30-7:00pm at Smith Fields - Whitefish

Play-dates: Missoula April 30, Kalispell May 21, and Whitefish June 18

The Academy Developmental Program helps children ages U10 through U11 shift from recreational to more competitive play, with an emphasis on teaching players fundamental individual skills. The goal of this program is to provide a high level of coaching, focus on individual techniques, and minimize the cost of traveling. While most training and games will be held in Whitefish, teams/players will have the opportunity to participate in two regional festivals in Missoula and Kalispell, and may compete in a tournament at the end of the season.

The largest most overwhelming problem with youth soccer players coming from Montana is they do not understand the basic techniques needed to play the game. As a result, players, coaches and parents are more focused on winning at the youngest age groups rather than learning the techniques needed to succeed. The Goal of the Academy is Player Development. The reason why Montana soccer is behind the rest of the country is simple: we are more focused on winning at the youngest age groups than learning how to play the game. While competition and winning are important, there is a difference between the two.

The basic principles of the program include; high level coach oversees the program, age appropriate training, skill development, focus on player development, more playing time, fear of failure removed, risk encouraged, more training, less travel, coach and referee development, and clubs develop more players which increases their base.

Registration is now open!

The Montana Flathead Rapids “The Valley’s Premier Level Soccer Club” has teamed up with Glacier United Soccer Club to host an 8-week youth soccer academy April 12 - June 2, 2011. Training sessions will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30pm to 7:00pm at Smith Fields in Whitefish, Montana.


The 2011 Academy will offer two programs this spring season. The U-10/U-11 Boys and Girls Academy program will compete in four game dates across Western and Central Montana with other Academy Clubs. In addition, other regional and local tournaments will be scheduled with individual teams. The second program that will be offered this spring is the Micro Academy program. This developmental program will be aimed at Boys and Girls ages 7-9 with a greater emphasis on age appropriate training and small sided local game play.




2010 Spring Academy Group Picture

Registration deadline is April 1, 2011


2011 Academy Registration Form (PDF)
2011 Academy Flyer (PDF)


2010 Articles and News:
Flathead Beacon Feature Story


Academy Website:
http://www.flatheadrapids.com/