Republic FC supporters are probably curious to know how much work behind the scenes goes into a training session or pregame preparation.
Who sets up all the cones for the drills? Who keeps the kits looking so flawless and pristine? And most importantly, who is responsible for making sure the players and coaches can fuly focus on their jobs and tasks at hand?
At the Indomitable Club, it’s Alejandro ‘Capi’ Caparelli, and he takes his duties very seriously.
“This is my life.”
Republic FC supporters are probably curious to know how much work behind the scenes goes into a training session or pregame preparation.
Who sets up all the cones for the drills? Who keeps the kits looking so flawless and pristine? And most importantly, who is responsible for making sure the players and coaches can fuly focus on their jobs and tasks at hand?
At the Indomitable Club, it’s Alejandro ‘Capi’ Caparelli, and he takes his duties very seriously.
“This is my life.”
As the kit man, Capi does so much more than manange the team’s equipment. He is a crucial member of Head Coach Mark Briggs’ backroom staff, a day-to-day field general of the services needed to keep the operation rolling as smooth and efficient as possible and provide the players and coaches with everything they need to have a successful training session.
As the kit man, Capi does so much more than manange the team’s equipment. He is a crucial member of Head Coach Mark Briggs’ backroom staff, a day-to-day field general of the services needed to keep the operation rolling as smooth and efficient as possible and provide the players and coaches with everything they need to have a successful training session.
"Capi was one of my first phone calls when I got the job, we are fortunate to have him here," said Republic FC Head Coach Mark Briggs. "He plays an instrumental part in the culture I'm trying to create within the club. He's passionate, he love the game and his attention to detail is second to none. His personality is infectious."
Capi – who joined the Indomitable Club prior to the 2020 USL Championship season – takes tremendous pride in how the players look the part when on the field – from training sessions, travel time and to game days. Each jersey is hand pressed with the utmost care. Laundry may seem like a chore at home to a Republic FC fan, but it is an essential part of preparation.
Often the days are long, but at every opportunity Capi is creating a convienent path to support the platers as staff – allowing them to focus on the task at hand, a Championship season.
He’s the first person at the facility – laying out the kit for the day, ensuring the player’s boots are prepared and ready to go – and often the last to leave after getting a headstart on the next day, or match preparations. His day starts between 6 a.m. and 6:45 a.m. when Capi arrives bright and early to the training facility to set up everything for the day of training.
“I like to set up everything before the guys are here,” Capi said. “I don’t like when people come up to me and say ‘Capi, I need this. Capi, I need that.’ He’s got to be ready. He’s prepared for training. He doesn’t need to worry about the clothes or the shoes, he doesn’t have to worry about anything. He just has to prepare for the training because that’s a professional team.”
“Capi was one of my first phone calls when I got the job, we are fortunate to have him here,” said Republic FC Head Coach Mark Briggs. “He plays an instrumental part in the culture I’m trying to create within the club. He’s passionate, he love the game and his attention to detail is second to none. His personality is infectious.”
Capi – who joined the Indomitable Club prior to the 2020 USL Championship season – takes tremendous pride in how the players look the part when on the field – from training sessions, travel time and to game days. Each jersey is hand pressed with the utmost care. Laundry may seem like a chore at home to a Republic FC fan, but it is an essential part of preparation.
Often the days are long, but at every opportunity Capi is creating a convienent path to support the platers as staff – allowing them to focus on the task at hand, a Championship season.
He’s the first person at the facility – laying out the kit for the day, ensuring the player’s boots are prepared and ready to go – and often the last to leave after getting a headstart on the next day, or match preparations. His day starts between 6 a.m. and 6:45 a.m. when Capi arrives bright and early to the training facility to set up everything for the day of training.
“I like to set up everything before the guys are here,” Capi said. “I don’t like when people come up to me and say ‘Capi, I need this. Capi, I need that.’ He’s got to be ready. He’s prepared for training. He doesn’t need to worry about the clothes or the shoes, he doesn’t have to worry about anything. He just has to prepare for the training because that’s a professional team.”
Whatever the boss has in store for his squad on that day, Capi is the man responsible for setting it up and making it happen. This could include mini goals for drills, ladders for calisthenics, and of course, the soccer balls themselves. Each ball has to be checked to ensure it has the right amount of air inside of it, every day.
Whatever the boss has in store for his squad on that day, Capi is the man responsible for setting it up and making it happen. This could include mini goals for drills, ladders for calisthenics, and of course, the soccer balls themselves. Each ball has to be checked to ensure it has the right amount of air inside of it, every day.
Come 8 a.m., Capi has his daily meeting with the gaffer who maps out the day ahead before SRFC’s kit man can prep accordingly.
When training is finished, Capi brings all the equipment back to where it’s stored before he washes all the training kits and uniforms from the players post practice.
That expectation is paramount, players don’t need to sweat the small stuff at training thanks to Capi’s considerate approach to his work – always putting the team first. Capi makes it as painless as possible for the players – all they need to do is show up at training and focus on the day ahead. They don’t need to worry about boots or equipment, that’s Capi’s job, and he does it exceptionally well.
Take the boot bag for example, where Capi has the equipment bag separated by players’ numbers and in each spot is an extra pair of each players’ cleats.
Come 8 a.m., Capi has his daily meeting with the gaffer who maps out the day ahead before SRFC’s kit man can prep accordingly.
When training is finished, Capi brings all the equipment back to where it’s stored before he washes all the training kits and uniforms from the players post practice.
That expectation is paramount, players don’t need to sweat the small stuff at training thanks to Capi’s considerate approach to his work – always putting the team first. Capi makes it as painless as possible for the players – all they need to do is show up at training and focus on the day ahead. They don’t need to worry about boots or equipment, that’s Capi’s job, and he does it exceptionally well.
Take the boot bag for example, where Capi has the equipment bag separated by players’ numbers and in each spot is an extra pair of each players’ cleats.
“If someone forgot their cleats, I have an extra, all the time,” Capi said. “All the time, the equipment manager has the responsibility for that.”
SRFC’s kit man and equipment manager is always on the ball and on top of his game on a daily basis, making the workday run smoothly for everyone attending each and every training session.
“If someone forgot their cleats, I have an extra, all the time,” Capi said. “All the time, the equipment manager has the responsibility for that.”
SRFC’s kit man and equipment manager is always on the ball and on top of his game on a daily basis, making the workday run smoothly for everyone attending each and every training session.
“He comes here to play soccer. He doesn’t need to worry about [any of this stuff], I’m in charge of that,” Capi confidently confirmed.
He might not score the goals, but he doesn’t need to. Capi is a pivotal player in Sacramento Republic FC’s locker room and the entire squad, coaching staff and front office is beyond grateful to have a guy like him on their sidelines.
“He comes here to play soccer. He doesn’t need to worry about [any of this stuff], I’m in charge of that,” Capi confidently confirmed.
He might not score the goals, but he doesn’t need to. Capi is a pivotal player in Sacramento Republic FC’s locker room and the entire squad, coaching staff and front office is beyond grateful to have a guy like him on their sidelines.
Don't miss a minute of the action this season. Join our Republic and become an Indomitable Member today! Visit www.sacrepublicfc.com/becomeamember for more information about how you can join us for the 2021 USL Championship season, Join us for another unforgettable year and enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes access, benefits, and more.
Don’t miss a minute of the action this season. Join our Republic and become an Indomitable Member today! Visit www.sacrepublicfc.com/becomeamember for more information about how you can join us for the 2021 USL Championship season, Join us for another unforgettable year and enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes access, benefits, and more.
