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Inter CT FC Makes History at USL Y National Finals in Tampa

By Inter CT FC 12/17/2025, 1:30pm EST

Inter CT FC enjoyed a landmark weekend at the USL Y National Finals in Tampa, marking the first time in club history that Inter CT has won a national championship. It was a memorable tournament, marked by pride, progress, and historic achievements, underscoring the club’s continued growth and its commitment to long-term player development.

The weekend saw several major milestones for Inter CT FC:

  • Our first-ever National Champions – 2010 Inter CT Boys

  • Our first Girls team to reach the National Finals – 2012 Inter CT Girls

  • Our youngest team to qualify for the National Finals – 2015 Inter CT Boys

Each group represented the club with passion, resilience, and belief, making the entire Inter CT community immensely proud.

Inter CT FC 2010 Boys – USL Y U16 National Champions

The 2010 Inter CT Boys delivered a historic performance, becoming the first national title winners in club history by being crowned USL Y U16 National Champions.

This achievement is the result of years of dedication and trust in the Inter CT pathway and philosophy. Many players on this roster began their journey with the club at U10 or younger, growing together through hard work and commitment to their development.

After qualifying for the National Finals last year but failing to advance beyond the group stage, this group returned to Tampa determined and focused. They applied the lessons learned from that experience and showcased their growth, resilience, and quality to finish the job this year—lifting the national championship trophy.

A special shout-out goes to Nolan Ripp, whose journey epitomizes the Inter CT development model. Nolan began as a U10 practice player on the club’s third team. He went on to be named the USL Y U16 National Finals MVP, an incredible individual achievement and inspiration for players across the club.

Inter CT FC 2012 Girls – A Proud First at Nationals

The 2012 Inter CT Girls made history as the first girls' team from the club to qualify for the USL Y National Finals, a massive moment for the continued growth of the girls' program.

Over the past few years, the girls' side of Inter CT FC has seen tremendous progress—earning major tournament victories, claiming State Cup titles, and now competing on the national stage. Facing some of the top clubs in the country, the team competed with confidence and determination.

Credit goes to every player and coach for their commitment, competitiveness, and belief. This experience has set the foundation for future success, and the goal is clear: return next year and go one step further.

Inter CT FC 2015 Boys – The Future on Display

The 2015 Inter CT Boys became the youngest team in club history to qualify for the National Finals, and they made the most of the opportunity.

After going undefeated in their regional group to earn their spot in Tampa, the team showed they belong at the highest level. The experience gained at such a young age will be invaluable as they continue their development within the club.

Having started their journey so young, the team is excited about what the future holds for this talented group as they continue to grow together.

A Weekend to Remember

In summary, Inter CT FC could not be prouder of every player who competed at the USL Y National Finals. Each team made history, setting new standards and laying a strong foundation for the club's future.

A heartfelt thank you to the families who traveled and supported the teams throughout the journey, and to the dedicated coaches whose hard work and belief made this historic weekend possible. Inter CT FC’s first National Championship will be remembered as a defining moment—and just the beginning.

Inter CT FC is proud to announce the addition of Emily Belval as the club’s new Sport Psychology Director, beginning September 2025. With a passion for athlete development and a sharp focus on performance psychology, Emily will be leading a transformative initiative designed to elevate mental skills training across all levels of sport within our club.

Working under the guidance of Marty Walker, a seasoned sport psychology consultant with years of experience in youth and elite athlete development, Emily brings a fresh, expert perspective to this innovative role.

Free Mental Skills Training Through Sport Psychology Intern Project

One of Emily’s first major initiatives will be to spearhead the Sport Psychology Intern Project, which connects Inter CT FC athletes with sport psychology interns for free introductory mental skills training. This unique opportunity offers players a hands-on experience with fundamental techniques to enhance focus, confidence, and mental resilience— key tools for any competitive athlete.

Launch of "TRAIN YOUR MIND": A Club-Wide Mental Performance Program

Emily and Marty Walker will also co-lead the launch of a brand-new professional sport psychology consultancy within Inter CT FC, titled “TRAIN YOUR MIND.” This program will be open to all athletes and families in the club, as well as the broader sporting community—including those who compete in other sports outside of soccer who need assistance with their mental skills performances.

Parents and players will have access to in-depth, personalized mental performance programming, with options to book ongoing consultations, group sessions, and tailored guidance for both competitive and recreational athletes.

Monthly Webinars for All Roles in Sport

Recognizing that every stakeholder in sport has unique mental performance needs, TRAIN YOUR MIND will offer monthly live webinars, designed specifically for:

  • Athletes – Learn mental skills to perform under pressure, set goals, and build lasting confidence.
  • Coaches – Explore techniques for fostering resilience and communication in young athletes.
  • Parents – Understand how to support your child’s mental game and emotional development.
  • Referees – Learn focus and stress management skills for effective decision-making on the field.

Each session will be tailored to its audience, delivering actionable insights and real-world strategies to support development both on and off the field.

A Groundbreaking Step in Youth Sports Development

Inter CT FC is proud to be one of the first youth soccer clubs in the country to formally integrate sport psychology into its core development philosophy. By offering this fourth pillar of player growth—alongside technical, tactical, and physical training—we aim to provide our athletes with the most complete toolkit for success in sport and life.

We are thrilled to welcome Emily Belval to the Inter CT family and look forward to seeing our athletes, coaches, and families benefit from her leadership and expertise.

TRAIN YOUR MIND is more than a program—it’s a mindset. And we’re just getting started.

Www.TRAIN-YOUR-MIND.com