Plainview, NY (Monday, April 19, 2010) - The Rough Riders, Long Island’s premier soccer organizing, have unveiled the Rough Riders Select Program beginning in May 2010.
An affiliate of the successful Junior Rough Riders program, Rough Riders Select is structured for players who are unable to commit to year-round training yet want superior training and tournament competition during the summer months.
“Last year we intended to initiate the Select Program but we could not find a suitable facility,” said Peter Zaratin, Rough Riders President. “We are excited now to utilize the facilities at DowlingCollege (Shirely Campus) which is immediately accessible off the L.I.E.” The Select Program will commence in SuffolkCounty and will eventually expand to NassauCounty in 2011. Boys and girls teams will initially form from under-9 to 12 years of age.
“Rough Riders Select is basically a hybrid of the Junior Rough Riders,” said Flavio Ferri, Rough Riders General Manager. The program is intended to give players who can not commit to a year-round program the ability to be part of the Rough Riders while obtaining professional coaching during the summer.”
The Rough Riders have assembled an elite coaching staff committed to player development, sportsmanship, professionalism and teaching creative and positive soccer for the Select Program. The coaching staff includes NSCAA and USSF licensed coaches with experience ranging from the United States National Team, Major League Soccer, European professional leagues, Youth National Team, regional teams and top level college soccer programs.
Select Teams will compete in regionalized summer tournaments while obtaining advanced training from the Rough Riders Coaching Staff.
“The program is designed as a secondary resource for players to obtain advanced training when not participating with their home town club team,” said John Diffley, Rough Riders Coaching Director.
Tryouts for the Rough Riders Select Program will commence in May. For additional information or to register visit – www.liroughriders.com/juniors/select or contact the Rough Riders Office at 516.622.3900.
About the Long Island Rough Riders
The Long Island Rough Riders have been part of the Long Island soccer scene since their inception in 1994. The Rough Riders men and women’s team won their first National Championship in 1995. The Rough Riders men’s team featured former US National Team members Chris Armas, Tony Meola, MLS All Star Giovanni Savarese and Jimmy Rooney along with US Olympic Team Member and current Rough Riders Coaching Director, John Diffley. Since their initial success, the Rough Riders men’s team has gone on to win the United Soccer League (USL) 2nd Division National Championship in 2002 and has sent numerous players to Major League Soccer (MLS).
In 2007, the Rough Riders acquired a W-League franchise. During the 2008 season, the Rough Riders women’s team qualified for the Eastern Conference Finals. Former Rough Riders women’s team member Sue Weber was drafted by the Boston Breakers of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS).
The Rough Riders also comprise of the Junior Rough Riders program, featuring elite level players from 8 to 17 years of age. Junior Rough Riders teams from 13 to 17 years old participate in the Super Y-League (SYL), the youth component of the USL.
