Welcome to future stars.
Programming specifically designed with female athletes at the forefront
Future Stars is the youth programming extension of Chicago Stars FC, established by the club to provide coaching and curriculum to Chicagoland youth. The program is designed to educate and empower girls through team sport, exercise, mental health, nutrition, and social emotional learning, focusing on girls and providing support across the broad spectrum of wellness not just as athletes, but as people.
Our Mission
Create an accessible, safe soccer environment catered to girls, fostering a sense of belonging and free from economic barriers so that every child in Chicagoland can experience the lifelong benefits of soccer.
Our Vision
Future Stars serves as a community resource by creating opportunities for girls and Chicagoland youth to utilize soccer as a springboard for lifelong development.
program overview
Interact with the badges below to learn more about the Future Stars program.
Total Athlete
Two Hour Lesson Plan
Future Stars youth programming is designed to bring high-quality coaching and curriculum to youth athletes across Chicagoland. This one-page guide highlights the core principles that shape our approach as an organization, including key physiological, psychological, and coaching foundations.
It also includes a two-hour lesson plan that gradually builds in complexity while introducing athletes to different elements of the game in a fun, engaging, and development-focused environment.
It also includes a two-hour lesson plan that gradually builds in complexity while introducing athletes to different elements of the game in a fun, engaging, and development-focused environment.
Looking for more?
We have created a four-week curriculum workbook that is dedicated and specific to girls! If you are interested in gaining access to our Total Athlete workbook, please reach out to us with your name, an overview of your organization, and what kind of programming you will use it for!
Soccer Resources
Best Practices in Soccer Training
As A Coach
Coaches are encouraged to create environments where girls feel empowered to use their voice, lead confidently, and be fully present. By fostering open communication and reinforcing that every athlete deserves to be heard, coaches can help build confidence that extends far beyond the pitch.
Girls who play become women who lead.
Girls who play become women who lead.
Psychology
Girls learn and thrive through connection, communication, and relationships. They are often more engaged and successful when they understand the “why” behind their training. Coaches who take the time to explain drills, outline training objectives, and connect exercises to game application create a more productive, empowering, and enjoyable soccer experience for their athletes.
Physiology
This programming is inclusive of all athletes, while intentionally tailored to primarily support the unique mental and physiological needs of girls. Training focuses on areas critical to female athlete development, including hip and knee strength, proper deceleration, and landing mechanics.
Research shows that girls are at a significantly higher risk for ACL and knee injuries compared to boys, making proper warm-up protocols and targeted strength training essential. Emphasis is placed on developing strength and stability in the hips, knees, ankles, quadriceps, hamstrings, and core to support both injury prevention and long-term athletic performance.
Every exercise, drill, skill, and movement within the program has been intentionally selected to address the physiological needs of girls and help build stronger, more resilient athletes.
Research shows that girls are at a significantly higher risk for ACL and knee injuries compared to boys, making proper warm-up protocols and targeted strength training essential. Emphasis is placed on developing strength and stability in the hips, knees, ankles, quadriceps, hamstrings, and core to support both injury prevention and long-term athletic performance.
Every exercise, drill, skill, and movement within the program has been intentionally selected to address the physiological needs of girls and help build stronger, more resilient athletes.
Matchday Clinics
Presented by wintrust
Make the most of your matchday and join us for a Matchday Clinic presented by Wintrust! Ahead of match kickoff, our Camps & Clinics coaches will lead participants through an hour of soccer, plus a 15 minute Q&A with a player! Matchday Clinics are free to participants, but we do have a maximum capacity, so sign up as soon as you can!
Who are we?
Chicago Stars FC is Chicago's professional women's soccer club and a founding member of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Driven by a commitment to excellence on and off the pitch, the Stars are building the future of women's soccer through investment in world-class facilities, elite player development, and unforgettable fan experiences. The club has qualified for the NWSL Playoffs eight times and reached the NWSL Championship in 2019 and 2021, while continuing to play a leading role in the growth of the women's game in Chicago, across the country and globally.
Rachel Cox
Rachel has 13 years of coaching experience, including five years as a head coach and two years as a master coach plus experience as a collegiate and professional athlete. After transitioning from coaching to management, she dedicated her career to making sports fun and accessible for all and making sure girls have a place to play! Rachel believes that players and athletes get back whatever they put in; if you want to have fun at camp, make sure to come with a positive attitude!
Anthony Szymel
Anthony has more than 16 years of coaching experience at the collegiate, high school, club, recreational and camp levels. His coaching experience has taken him all across the United States and internationally, shaping his thoughts and ideas around the game. The key for young players is to build a love for the game. As a parent and coach, Anthony is sure to put his athletes in situations and games that encourage that joy and love while providing a platform for growth and development.
Juliet Barnes
Juliet Barnes, a certified athletic trainer and performance enhancement specialist, brings more than two decades of experience in sports medicine and athlete care. Barnes currently serves as Director of Medical for the Chicago Stars FC. A native of Evanston, IL Barnes spent 19 years working with high school, collegiate, and professional sports organizations, including Northwestern University Athletics, Chicago Sky, and the United States Soccer Federation. Barnes currently serves as Director of Medical for the Chicago Stars FC. During her tenure at Northwestern, she supported the women’s lacrosse program through two national championship seasons. She also worked with the United States Men’s Para 7-a-side National Team during its bronze medal-winning run at the 2019 Parapan American Games. Most recently, Barnes served as Head Athletic Trainer for the United States Women's National Soccer Team, helping the team capture a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Two participants from our Future Stars BGCC League presented by Gatorade, posing for a photo op between plays
Jenna Bike and a participant posing for a photo op in our Fun Fest from our October 2025 Future Stars Fest, presented by Wintrust
A group of girls cooling off with shaved ice in the shade at our July 2025 Future Stars Fest, presented by Wintrust
Jenna Bike and a group of girls enjoying the moment in front of soccer darts at our July 2025 Future Stars Fest, presented by Wintrust
The Preps Champion team celebrating and presenting their trophy from our 2025 BGCC League, presented by Gatorade
The Juniors Champion team celebrating and presenting their trophy from our 2025 BGCC League, presented by Gatorade
A BGCC Prep team celebrating a goal during the tournament for BGCC League, presented by Gatorade
A participant pausing for a photo while playing lawn games in the Fun Fest of our October 2025 Future Stars Fest, presented by Wintrust
Some of our participants competing during a scrimmage at our July 2025 Future Stars Fest, presented by Wintrust
A team showing good sportsmanship with teammates during a scrimmage at our July 2025 Future Stars Fest, presented by Wintrust
Camps & clinics
presented by wintrust
Chicago Stars FC Camps and Clinics aim to provide soccer instruction to the youth of our surrounding communities in an impactful way. Our well-rounded curriculum includes the development of soccer skills, social-emotional learning, and a dedicated warm-up that meets the needs of girls in sports. Our programming sets itself apart with its unique adaptations designed for girls and created to target the athlete both as a player and a person, instilling transferrable skills to be used on and off the pitch.
total athlete
The Future Stars Total Athlete curriculum is our written resource providing detailed instruction, both in single-session format and a 4-week guide. Our comprehensive framework equips coaches with clear guidance and session implementation; the curriculum builds complexity with each session throughout the program to capture multiple elements of the game in an easily understood format. Sessions end with a wrap-up emphasizing social-emotional learning to further achieve our goal of caring for each athlete across the full spectrum of education and health.
Goal Getters
The Chicago Stars FC Goal Getters program exists in collaboration with Chicago Public Schools and Urban Initiatives of Chicago. We provide the necessary materials and PE classes to play soccer in addition to the curriculum and learning resources needed for instructors to teach it in a comprehensive manner. As an extension of our programming, we create an all-encompassing experience for students with opportunities to attend matches and gain exposure to professional athletes.
Future Stars Fest
presented by wintrust
Every kid in the city, no matter the neighborhood - especially girls -should have access to sport and the ability to see and engage with professional female athletes. This large-scale, community-based event is free to participants, aiming to provide our classic soccer clinic experience augmented by a well-rounded day of fun for kids from the community and local non-profit youth programming partners. We bring soccer instruction, giveaways and a street fair-style vendor setup that includes local businesses and organizations. Our event encompasses all aspects of our organizational identity, bringing together members of the community through the game of soccer and making them feel welcome and included.
BGCC League
Presented by Gatorade
In collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC), the Chicago Stars FC BGCC Soccer League provides a unique opportunity for BGCC kids to learn and play consistently in a structured environment. The Stars provide instruction and support to coaches and clinics to the kids enrolled in the league, maintaining a consistent presence and supplying resources to the members of the BGCC. The conclusion of our 8-week instruction culminates in a BGCC-wide tournament allowing participants to showcase their new skills and enjoy the game of soccer in an organized, competitive environment.
Quick Drills
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Exercises for girls
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