Vision and Culture

Our CLub

The Celtics Soccer Club is committed to all levels of program development and competition, from local travel to elite First XI teams, but the focused curriculum and culture are the same. Technical fundamentals of soccer are important, as is caring about the development of every player. Every year, our parents report that the club's greatest strength is caring about every player and creating an environment in which players can grow in confidence and improve their game.

The club began in 2008 to give girls the opportunity to play club soccer in a social environment extending to each player’s family. This inaugural girls team chose their uniform color and design and were coached and trained by a parent who came out of retirement, having previously coached travel soccer for several years.

Celtics, and the families involved, firmly believe in the vision and culture which translates into the positive educational development of our players. Each year the Celtics have added teams and families who desire a similar experience and quality training. Team names are pre-Roman English Celtic tribal names to differentiate the teams, hence such team names as Cornovii, Decantae, Votadini, Coriondi and others. Celtic players are constantly reminded of the club motto ‘Conatu et Constantia’ which is an extension of the culture and, translated from Latin to English, means ‘with effort and determination’. Our training focus is heavily weighted to the fundamentals of soccer.

In 2011, boys became part of the Celtics Soccer Club and we now have nearly equal numbers of girls and boys teams. Additionally, we have an academy-type program called Celtics Juniors for U7 and younger players, looking to advance their early soccer skills. Celtics Juniors offers unique programs in which players can compete in a low-stress, low-cost and low-travel environment. Celtics elite teams are called First XI; they play in the Illinois State Premiership, NPL, and the A levels of IWSL and the highly competitive Chicagoland Indoor Soccer League at the Max. Celtics teams play in YSSL, NISL and IWSL, from Platinum levels to Red, from A to D divisions. Each year we have a number of players participate in the Olympic Development Program (ODP), who go on to play for ODP state, regional or pool play teams.

We invite you to join us for tryouts in May, speak to our coaches, and find out why the Celtics are the best choice for your player and your family.

Vision

Celtics vision is to always be the competitive community club of choice for Brookfield, Burr Ridge, Countryside LaGrange, LaGrange Park, Riverside and Western Springs, and surrounding
areas.

Mission

Our mission is to develop players to their fullest potential, so they not only have the opportunity to play at the highest level locally, regionally & nationally, but in a way that we encourage pride, camaraderie, confidence and team spirit so we help prepare young individuals for adulthood.

Culture

Our culture is the most important part of our program and what we stress constantly with all players and families. We strive hard to encourage relationships, camaraderie, pride and team spirit throughout the club. Our players wear the club motto “Conatu et Constantia” which means “with effort and determination” on their training and player jerseys, because we encourage our players to always give their best no matter what the activity. We believe this culture inspires personal growth and maturity and helps

Celtics Commitment & more

  • A CULTURE of personal growth

  • CAMARADERIE for all

  • A sense of COMMUNITY

  • Travel COMPETITION at every ability level

  • CONATU ET CONSTANTIA!

Team Names

 Celtics Team names are pre-Roman English Celtic tribal names to differentiate the teams, hence such team names as Cornovii, Decantae, Votadini, Coriondi and others. Celtic players are constantly reminded of the club motto.

First XI - Our First XI program was in response to an element of our membership’s desire for higher-level soccer at the state and regional levels. All our First XI teams are from 7th grade through 12th grade.

Community Involvement

We value the community involvement of our players and families. Over 70% of Celtics play other sports and are involved in extra-curricular activities. Celtics will always support the well-rounded development of our players. As a club we are proud to support our local community, schools, pet parade and La Grange Business Association.  

Coaches

Celtics will coach and instruct the finer technical and tactical points of soccer, push teams and individuals as competitively as possible, much like any other club will claim. However, where we strive to be different is how that is accomplished. To achieve this end we involve coaches with exceptional backgrounds and maturity who are required to be leaders, by having them believe in something bigger than themselves, which is the success of the players. Not only is it our job, as coaches, to teach soccer to a higher standard, it is perhaps more important to pass along core values, motivate, manage & inspire.

Parents

We believe we have the best parent community in soccer. Their willingness to volunteer, support fund raising, and offer positive support from the sidelines. It is our parents and coaches’ belief in the Celtics culture of “pride, camaraderie and team spirit" that creates this environment for our children. The Celtics could not be the amazing organization it is without them.

Socials/Events

Throughout the year the Celtics gather as a community at our socials and events. These annual events include: La Grange Pet Parade, Club Socials like the Annual Trainwreck Pub Crawl, February Trivia Night, Appreciation Day and Team Photos, Spirit Day and Toy Drive, Chicago Fire Game, and the Chicago Red Stars Game.