Coaches In Training

leadership through soccer

Benefits:

Footfire CITs grow in a well-rounded way, not only in soccer, but in terms of multi-generational social interaction, effective and appropriate communication, and problem resolution. Practical skills addressed include, but are not limited to, promptness, project follow-through, maintaining good health, physical awareness and balance, sound first aid practices, with an emphasis on appropriate conditioning and nutrition for athletic minds and bodies at various levels of experience. Footfire CITs complete the program with a sense of purpose founded on a connection to others and the satisfaction of having contributed meaningfully to something greater than themselves.

What to expect:

The Footfire CITs receive an introduction to the program, learning about procedures and expectations, and take part in brief daily Footfire CIT leadership instructional meetings. As the Footfire CITs progress through the various levels they learn skills and techniques applicable to maintaining a safe and effective soccer instruction envirionment. They also continue to receive a high level of individual coaching and evaluation, with time for teen/CIT scrimmages throughout the camp week. First and second level Footfire CITs accept small responsibilities around the camp, shadowing coaches and higher level Footfire CITs. Advanced level 3-4 Footfire CITs assume greater leadership roles, such as the planning, organization and execution of a soccer training session.

CIT Progam

• previous Footfire Campers

• minimum 13 yrs old

• 4-year leadership program

• 1 level advancement per year based on evaluation

• Coaching training & experience

• 1 level advancement per year based on evaluation

• Levels 1 & 2 - 2-week enrollment to

  be considered for advancement

Pricing

• Level 1 - $575 per week, $600 after 3/2

• Level 2 - $400 per week (1/3 fee waiver)

• Level 3 - $200, per week (2/3 fee waiver)

• Level 4 - No fee, stipend eligible

CIT STATEMENT:

ALL APPLICANTS, EVERY LEVEL, must submit a CIT statement within 10 days of submitting the CIT application to retain reservation as a CIT.

This statement must be written by the applicant ONLY. It may be included when submitting the application or in a separate email. Despite the significant role of soccer in players’ lives, youth are rarely, if ever, asked to write about it. Footfire believes it is important for youth development to mark the transition from camper to leader by taking time to reflect on their lives as players as a means to better know themselves and why they are participating in a training program. All CIT statements are reviewed with emailed comments by coaching staff as part of the application process.

Prompt: Level 1 applicants should briefly describe current soccer activities such as league or school play and what they would like to gain from the Footfire CIT program. Level 2, 3, and/or 4 applicants should discuss their current involvement in soccer and their previous year's participation in the CIT program.

ENROLLMENT OUTLOOK 2026:

LEVELS 1 & 2

CITs Levels 1 and 2: We anticipate full enrollment of 5 CITs per week at each of the two levels, a maximum of 20 at each level for the season. To accommodate as many youth as possible, enrollment will be limited to 2 weeks.

Placement in additional weeks depends on availability; we will assess all requests for additional weeks based on the date they are received and reach out as soon as possible with comnfirmation. Be aware additional CIT weeks are dependent on camper enrollment numbers which may increase slowly over the sign-up season. That is, we can open more CIT slots only as camper spaces fill.

Prospective Level 1 CITs may enroll as campers prior to their first CIT weeks, for example: attend as a camper for two weeks, followed by their CIT Level 1 weeks. Many campers prefer this option - or defer becoming a CIT until 14 - as either extends the camper experience for more weeks or into the next season.

LEVELS 3 & 4

CITs Level 3 & 4: We anticipate full enrollment. There are 5 spaces per level per week. 3 weeks of enrollement required to be considered for advancement.

MANDATORY LEVEL 3 & 4 PRE-SEASON TRAINING

2 training sessions are required for Levels 3 & 4. CITs 3 & 4 MUST attend 2 of 3 sessions which are scheduled on the first three Sundays in May, 2-4pm, Codornices Park.

CITs Level 4: First aid training required. More information provided upon enrollment.

Footfire CIT Program and Beyond:

Many of our Footfire CIT graduates use their program experience to receive school credit for Physical Education, Independent Study, or Internships. Some return to Footfire or reach out to other soccer communities for summer staff/coaching positions.

The program is most successful when prospective Footfire CITs and their parents/guardians are in agreement about participation. At 13, interest and maturity vary greatly. We urge you to carefully review the guidelines together as you and your teen decide whether the Footfire CIT Program is a good fit this season.