Youth Club Partner

El Dorado Hills SC’s Ty Downes Honored as April Youth Coach of the Month

At halftime of Saturday’s match vs. Birmingham Legion FC, Republic FC continued its support of the region’s youth soccer community alongside Youth Club Partner El Dorado Hills SC. EDHSC coach Ty Downes was honored as the club’s May Coach of the Month for his exemplary commitment to EDHSC’s core values and his outstanding contributions to the development of his players. Downes’ dedication to fostering a respectful and positive environment and expertise has earned praise from around the club.

Beyond his scheduled coaching responsibilities, Downes has gone above and beyond by dedicating his free time to the personal development of his players through private training sessions. His commitment to individual growth is unparalleled, enhancing his players’ experience and demonstrating his unwavering dedication to helping each player achieve their best. His passion for soccer, and his relentless drive to nurture young talent has made him a shining example of what it means to be an outstanding coach and mentor throughout the club’s community of families.

“My favorite part of coaching is having the opportunity to inspire the younger generation of athletes,” said Downes. “I have the privilege of impacting young athletes not just in their sport but also in their developing lives.”

Downes’ work on the sidelines and in training has led his 2012 Girls’ team to a tremendous season. The squad is set to reach the National Premier League in 2024-25, one of the top youth competitions club teams can participate in. But it isn’t just success that motivates him, building up the next generation of players and a culture of being a good teammate is an important responsibility he takes very seriously.

“By creating a culture for players to learn to be a good teammate they learn to do everything to the best of their abilities,” he continued. “By setting challenges, they learn to overcome obstacles.”

Downes also hopes he can inspire confidence in his players to help them in their daily lives. He recognizes the important role he plays an authority figure, role model, teacher, mentor, friend, and more in their growth as young people.

“Confidence fosters bravery, both on and off the pitch,” said Downes. “Whether it’s playing a specific pass on the pitch or choosing peers, we want our athletes to make good decisions and to know why they’re making those decisions. As leaders and mentors, we all want our younger generation to contribute positively to our society, and we have the privilege to serve our community in this way.”

El Dorado Hills SC’s Tony Guzman Honored as April Youth Coach of the Month

Earlier this month, Republic FC partnered with El Dorado Hills Soccer Club to continue growing the game throughout the region. As part of the two clubs’ partnership, Republic FC is supporting and recognizing the club’s dedicated coaches.

At halftime of Saturday’s match vs. Loudoun United FC, EDHSC’s Tony Guzman was honored as the club’s April Coach of the Month for his remarkable demonstration of unity and discipline with his EDHSC 2006 Boys Gold team. Tony’s unwavering commitment to his players has been exemplary, helping them to tremendous success in 2024.

Guzman’s passion for coaching comes from his own experience as a youth player and someone who loves the game. He hopes simply to give the players on his team the same great experience he had growing up, which has helped him lead his team to great success on the field.

“I had great coaches when I was a kid,” he said. “It’s just paying it forward – since my coaches did that for me. Being someone that can impact players’ lives, not just on the field, but off the field as well.”

Team chemistry is extremely important to Guzman as a Head Coach – providing both on and off-field benefits to his players, who he hopes to develop into great people off the pitch in addition to great players on it. He preaches that value at practice and games every week.

“Players that get along together, play well together,” Guzman said. “We’re a tight family. Everyone loves each other, we’re all good friends. I think having chemistry and having that relationship shows on the field.”

Tony’s leadership serves as a shining example of how unity and discipline can propel a team to extraordinary success. Through his guidance, Guzman’s 2006 Boys’ squad has remained tightly knit, always overcoming challenges and celebrating victories together. His emphasis on discipline and instilling a strong work ethic has been pivotal in elevating the team some of the highest accomplishments ever attained by an EDHSC team – most notably reaching the upcoming semifinals of the NorCal Premier State Cup, where the squad is matched up with Association FC on May 11.

Republic FC Welcomes El Dorado Hills Soccer Club as Youth Club Partner Through 2027

As Republic FC continues its 2024 season, the club and El Dorado Hills Soccer Club (EDHSC) are partnering to advance player development at various levels of youth soccer. EDHSC has signed on to become a youth club partner for the next three years, joining Republic FC in growing the game and fostering a love for soccer across Northern California.

As an official Youth Club Partner, EDHSC will receive valuable resources provided by Republic FC’s Youth Programs staff. In addition to programming and coaching opportunities for players at the recreational level, the partnership will focus on strengthening the player pathway for those in EDHSC’s Comp Program, where coaches and players will receive advanced training experiences, as well as exposure to Republic FC’s Youth Academy.

Republic FC will also organize a special Regional Development Program (RDP) in El Dorado Hills each year. RDP is Republic FC’s top youth development program, offering opportunities for players to grow their skills and prepare for more competitive soccer.

We recently sat down with EDHSC President Trevor Holton, Sporting Director Paul Buckle, and Technical Director Glenn Shepherd to talk about the partnership, its goals for players, and growing the game across the Sacramento region.

Left to Right: Paul Buckle, EDHSC Sporting Director // Glenn Shepherd, EDHSC Technical Director // Trevor Holton, EDHSC President // Filip Handl, Republic FC Manager of Soccer Programming

What makes you excited about partnering with Republic FC?

PB: To have El Dorado Hills Soccer Club affiliated with Republic FC is just so exciting. Republic FC has established itself as such a successful club on and off the field, and to align ourselves with the organization in this way is just fantastic.

GS: It makes sense for us to build a pathway with the top soccer organization in our area, so to formalize this relationship is just the first step in helping us support our players’ development the best we can. That’s what our mission is – as coaches, as directors – to try to graduate our elite players to professional ranks. So partnering with Republic FC will help us begin to make that pathway easier to understand and more accessible than it ever has been for our players and their families.

TH: Our players and families love Republic FC, love going to their games, so this partnership fosters that enjoyment of soccer for people at all levels. We are all excited about this because there are going to be so many opportunities that come up over the next few years, not only for our players and coaches, but for the organization as a whole.

How does the partnership benefit players in El Dorado Hills?

GS: For the players in our Comp Program, this gives them a kind of map, a ladder, to use to identify what they need to do within their own game to reach the next level. And for our coaches, it will help us better identify a clear mission in what our ultimate goal is for our players.

PB: The biggest thing I am looking forward to showing everyone in our organization is what the youth development pathway looks like at the professional level. It brought me so many benefits as a player, and later on as a coach, and now our members, players, and coaches are going to get an opportunity to experience it. We want to show the community how serious we are about our club, and we want to keep raising the bar. And there’s no better club to do this with than Sacramento Republic.

How do you hope to help grow the game in the Sacramento region?

TH: I think that our region is saturated with good clubs and good players, and I think there are so many doors that can open if we collaborate to develop our players and grow the game. Why can’t we work together? Through this partnership with Republic FC, we want to show that we want to collaborate with the best clubs in the area, and that we are willing to team up with other organizations to set our players for success – and that we can do it in a way that still allows us to stay true our identity. So I think this relationship can serve as a model of how clubs can better work together to develop top players.

Interested in learning more about Youth Club Partnerships?
Visit SacRepublicFC.com/Youth

Natomas Fútbol Academy returns as Youth Club Partner

As Sacramento’s youth soccer season kicks into high gear, Republic FC and Natomas Fútbol Academy (Natomas F.A.) are once again teaming up to provide high quality training for the region’s players and coaches, increase opportunities for participation, and foster a love for the game among players and their families.

L to R: André Zayas, Republic FC Manager of Soccer Programming; Wendy Hill, Natomas F.A. Executive Director; Dave Evans, Natomas F.A. Grassroots Director

As an official Youth Club Partner presented by Crystal Creamery, Natomas F.A. will continue to receive valuable resources provided by Republic FC’s Youth Training Programs – including coaching education, training sessions & camps, and exclusive experiences with first team and academy players.

We recently sat down with Natomas F.A. Executive Director Wendy Hill and Grassroots Director Dave Evans to talk about the partnership, as well as their visions for their club and youth soccer across the entire region.

What makes you excited about extending Natomas F.A.’s Youth Club Partnership with Republic FC?

WH: When people talk about the Sacramento region, it often feels like Natomas is left out. And now with this partnership, our families feel like they are a part more connected to the entire community in a way that only soccer and Republic FC can bring people together.

DE: It’s exciting. We see a lot of Republic FC shirts and gear just walking around Natomas and we see so many kids who are excited about soccer. So for them to see a youth coach from Republic FC come out and run the training sessions, to see the Republic FC-branded soccer balls and all the other perks from the partnership – it really helps to grow soccer both in our area and across the entire region because it gives these players and families a personal connection to the team that they clearly already love.

How does the partnership benefit Natomas F.A.?

WH: We have upwards of 1,000 players a year in our grassroots/recreational program, so to have the help of Republic FC in providing training not just for our players, but also for our coaches…that support is really helpful. The goal is that this helps us develop the grassroots players into competitive players, while also providing an environment that allows them to develop a love for the game.

DE: It’s a huge resource. Some of today’s parents didn’t play soccer growing up as much as kids do now, so a lot of these volunteer parent coaches don’t have the background knowledge – they haven’t played the game, they don’t have a full understanding of how to run a session, and how the game of soccer is as a whole. So to be able to have the resources of a club like Republic FC is a really big deal for us because it allows us to create an environment that is really good for soccer. And we’ve already gotten so much good feedback from our parents and coaches.

What are your visions for youth soccer in Sacramento?

WH: There are so many players that are really good and deserve to participate in a high level of soccer, but can’t because of the cost. And I think that’s why the Youth Club Partnership program is so good for all of youth soccer, because it allows for some of the smaller clubs who are trying to provide soccer at an affordable level, to be able to provide good quality soccer.

DE: I would love for there to be opportunities for everyone to play, regardless of socioeconomic status, physical disabilities, learning disabilities…no matter what your situation, there should be a way for you to play in a way that meets your needs.

Learn more about Republic FC Youth Club Partnerships

Land Park Soccer Club to host donation drive for youth players

This Saturday, Republic FC Youth Club Partner Land Park Soccer Club is hosting its 3rd Annual Donation Drive, benefitting many of the club’s families and soccer players throughout the region.

The yearly event is held in honor of former LPSC Board Member and Coach Erayis Montes who was committed to bringing soccer to everyone in the community. Donations will first be made available to players within the youth club, with remaining items going to other local soccer organizations.

Community members can donate new & gently used soccer gear – such as cleats, balls, coaching/training equipment – and in return receive a ticket to an upcoming Republic FC match.

Details

What: 3rd Annual Land Park Donation Drive

When: Saturday, Aug. 13, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Where: Land Park Soccer Park Soccer & Rugby Fields (located in William Land Regional Park)

What can I donate: New & gently used soccer gear, including – cleats, soccer balls, shin guards & socks, coaching gear (cones, pop-up goals). All donors will receive a ticket to an upcoming Republic FC match.

Youth Club Partner Program Helps Grow Sacramento Soccer Community With Special Perks and Support

The young players that make up the 100,000 youth soccer players in our region look up to the boys in Old Glory Red, and dream of being part of the Indomitable Club. Through Republic FC’s Youth Club Partner program, the next generation of soccer players are one step closer to being a part of the region’s only professional soccer club and will have access to a wide range of special programs and benefits to help them grow.

Sign up now to learn more about this special program or share the Official Youth Club Partner page with your club’s administrator to take advantage of a whole new platform of services and support!

Young players are building a deep love for the game and elevating the soccer community in Northern California with every kick of the ball. Through the Youth Club Partner program, Republic FC is working hand-in-hand with the coaches and staff that believe youth soccer is special.

“Elevating youth players and the clubs that support them is not only good for the soccer community, but benefits our city and region,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “Through the Youth Club Partner program, we’re able to create new ways to invest in players, families, coaches and clubs to enrich the youth sports experience, as well as provide some really cool perks as members of the Republic FC family.”

Affiliates will have unparalleled access and support that will help grow their clubs, including player and team spotlights on Republic FC’s website and social media channels, access to tickets and exclusive appearances from players and coaches throughout the season, and much more.

Every club that joins the program will get to get to proudly proclaim that they are Indomitable with a special jersey patch, only for affiliated members.

Republic FC is also making additional investments in youth soccer development. Youth Club Partner clubs will gain access to private camps, clinics, and holiday mini-camps, and our Youth Soccer Symposium for board members and club officials, as well as special pricing for all Republic FC Training Programs.

Ready to give your youth club an extra advantage and support local soccer?

Sign up now or share the Official Youth Club Partner page with your club administrator today!

Ready to give your youth club an extra advantage and support local soccer?

Sign up now or share the Official Youth Club Partner page with your club administrator today!

Local Youth Clubs Key to Republic FC Success

Even before Sacramento Republic FC played the inaugural USL match at Hughes Stadium on April 26, 2014, their passion, drive and success has been rooted in their integration into the Sacramento community at large.

The club embodied the principles of their name, “republic,” long before it was ever placed on the crest. From engaging fans on when choosing the club’s colors and crest design, setting attendance records and launching the Glory Glory Sacramento Fund, Republic FC have not only been emerged a flagship team in the USL, but also an integral part of the community, especially the Sacramento soccer community.

However, from the earliest days of the club Co-Founders Warren Smith and Joe Wagoner and Academy Manager Jeremy Field knew that the relationship with local youth clubs and teams would be one of challenging and vital relationships that would be crucial to Republic FC’s growth and success.

“Sacramento is blessed to have such a great group of soccer clubs and we feel blessed to be working with them,” said Republic FC Co-Founder and President Warren Smith.

From Bonney Field’s club seating sections —which offer local youth and adult soccer clubs the chance to attend Republic FC matches—to ball kids to developing first team players to the success of Republic FC’s Academy, youth clubs have been an integral part of the club’s success both on and off the pitch.

While Republic FC leadership began to build out their club partnership and seating program, a vision was set to provide a place that the nearly 11,000 regional youth clubs could gather, set aside their on-the-pitch competitiveness and celebrate the beautiful game. As the city’s rivers become a confluence, so to would its youth soccer clubs. Republic FC matches became a place for the youth clubs to cheer and chant together in exclusive seating sections.

As a result, these local soccer clubs have been a critical part of Republic FC’s success off the pitch, especially with the club’s steady attendance. The USL club set attendance records in 2014 and 2015, which raised the overall attendance of USL by 25 percent or more.

Currently, more than 15 percent of Republic FC’s season tickets are in Bonney Field’s club seating, sections reserved as a gathering place for the region’s youth players. These local clubs crests are displayed with pride above their sections no different than Republic FC’s own crest.

As a whole, more than fifty youth soccer teams, clubs and organizations from the Sacramento region participate in the Club Partnerships program. Additionally, up to 30 different clubs and teams attend any given Republic FC home match at Bonney Field as part of group nights and other team bonding activities.

“Sacramento is blessed to have such a great group of soccer clubs and we feel blessed to be working with them,” said Republic FC Co-Founder and President Warren Smith.

“Our club partnerships offer the region’s local youth clubs the chance to come together off their own fields. They may compete in games and tournaments, but they all come together to support Republic FC and our Sacramento community at large,” said Club Partnership Manager Erica Jahn. “At the end of the day, we’re all about making Sacramento a better place to play the beautiful game.”

As part of the experience, Republic FC works closely with local youth clubs to provide additional opportunities that further encourage these youth players to develop their love for the sport. Examples include being a part of the Arden Fair High Five Tunnel, Wells Fargo ball kids or Q&As with the likes of Christie Rampone and Brandi Chastain.

“Looking back at my time as a youth soccer player, I wish we had a team like Republic FC here in town; playing in their own stadium, shows legitimacy for the sport,” said Vice President of Football Administration Kevin Goldthwaite, who spent his own youth career at San Juan Soccer Club before a career in Major League Soccer.

“Now there’s a professional team that kids can watch every weekend and say ‘I can be doing that too. Yes I want to play. I want to continue playing,’” continued Goldthwaite. “To be able to tangibly go see and feel it, that’s a great thing we provide to these kids. Hopefully that helps the clubs as it makes more kids excited who want to continue playing past 12 or 13 years old.”

Particularly with the launch of Sacramento Republic FC’s U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) program in early 2015, local youth clubs have been at the center of the Academy’s success on and off the field. Prior to the formal launch of Republic FC’s Academy, the club met with the various club directors throughout the region to discuss how the Academy could benefit the region as a whole, not just one club or organization.

With the help of local youth clubs and coaches, Republic FC’s Academy was able to identify players for the club’s U-13/14, U-15/16 and U-17/18 teams and put together a strong roster featuring players of all backgrounds from area youth clubs of all sizes. In all, Republic FC’s inaugural Academy team rosters featured nearly 70 players who came from 14 different youth soccer clubs from across the Sacramento region.

During their inaugural season, both the U-15/16 and U-17/18 Republic FC Academy teams qualified for the USSDA Playoffs, while the U-13/14 side dominated their age group (which does not have playoffs) during the regular season.

That success, says Goldthwaite, wouldn’t be possible with the support of local youth clubs.

“We’ve had a really good relationship with all the local clubs since we started the Academy. Bottom line, without the support, help and corporation of local clubs, our Academy wouldn’t have done what they did this year,” said Goldthwaite on Republic FC’s nearly unheard of success as a first-year USSDA program member.

“We’ve had a really good relationship with all the local clubs since we started the Academy. And without them, our Academy wouldn’t exist,” continued Goldthwaite. “The success our Academy teams have seen in our first year is completely comes down to the support of the local clubs in Sacramento.”

While Goldthwaite notes that the hard work of Republic FC’s Academy players, coaches and staff were critical to their on-pitch success during their inaugural season, the support of the area’s local youth clubs are what made the Academy possible.

“Bottom line, without the support, help and corporation of local clubs, our Academy wouldn’t have done what they did this year,” said Goldthwaite on Republic FC’s nearly unheard of success as a first-year USSDA program member.

With the addition of two U-12 teams and the split of U-13/14 age group into a U-13 and U-14 team, Republic FC’s Academy plans on working to further improve and grow critical relationships with youth clubs.

“We’re really looking forward to continuing to work with the club directors to identify players that fit our model, communicate more and expand our scouting network,” said Field. “We also want to provide support to these clubs that continue to grow the sport at the youth level throughout the region. All of us are responsible for our role in the soccer pyramid and that starts at the earliest stages of play.”

On the technical side, local youth clubs have already been critical in developing Republic FC first team players. Current Republic FC goal leader and forward Cameron Iwasa spent his youth career playing with Nor Cal Elite Soccer Club, while midfielders Max Alvarez and Matt LaGrassa played for Davis Legacy and San Juan Soccer Club respectively.

Additionally, Republic FC loan player Adam Jahn is a Davis Legacy product, while Tommy Thompson played for Blues FC prior to joining the San Jose Earthquakes Academy.

With a growing Academy program and plans to join MLS, Republic FC only hopes to further grow, develop and refine their relationships with youth clubs throughout the Sacramento region. This includes the potential of a girls’ academy as more and more girls look to compete at a higher level.

“We really owe everything to them and in the future we want to continue and grow these relationships. We know how important healthy relationships with youth clubs are for all of us,” said Goldthwaite. “Hopefully as these relationships grow, the rising tide lifts all ships.”

That success, says Goldthwaite, wouldn’t be possible with the support of local youth clubs.

Additionally, Republic FC loan player Adam Jahn is a Davis Legacy product, while Tommy Thompson played for Blues FC prior to joining the San Jose Earthquakes Academy.