Overview

The Junior Rough Riders is a year-round youth development program. Integrated with the Rough Riders men and women’s soccer franchise, the Junior Rough Riders is designed for talented youth players destined for collegiate, professional or international careers. Individuals who are chosen for the Junior Rough Riders become part of an elite player community called the Long Island Rough Riders. This community represents the best youth players on Long Island.

HISTORY

The Rough Riders are Long Island’s leading youth development organization! Since their inception in 1994, the Rough Riders Men’s and Women’s Team have consistently developed elite level soccer players, ranging from players who have represented the United States National Team to playing on prestigious Division I college teams.
 
PROVEN RESULTS

Junior Rough Riders Teams train year-round on a weekly basis while competing in premier leagues and national tournaments.  With the main emphasis on proper player development, Junior Rough Riders have won many prestigious team accolades while individuals have received college scholarships from the exposure of playing on the Long Island Rough Riders.

The Junior Rough Riders consists of four entities:

Stage I - Kick-Start

The Kick Start stage of the Junior Rough Riders develops children at the age of 5 years old, using fun-filled games to teach basic soccer skills while incorporating agility and coordination exercises to build upon a child’s passion for the game of soccer.

Stage II - Developmental

From 8 to 12 years old the Developmental program provides tournament competitions while preparing players with the necessary technical, tactical, physical and psychological soccer elements to compete at the highest playing level of American soccer.

Stage III - Academy

At the age of 13 Junior Rough Riders teams strive to win a North American Championship each year held in Florida, playing in the Super Y-League of the United Soccer Leagues (USL). Junior teams also play in regional, national and international tournaments.
 
Stage IV – Long Island Rough Riders
 
The goal of the Junior Rough Riders is to properly prepare players who intend to play college soccer, while providing the opportunity for talented individuals to play past college and potentially professionally.

Coaching Overview

The Long Island Rough Riders are a full-time professional organization that boasts a coaching staff that is one of the best in the nation.  The coaching staff includes over 20 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. 

The Rough Riders have assembled an elite coaching staff committed to player development, sportsmanship, professionalism and teaching creative and positive soccer.

Club Affiliations

Our policy is simple. We are an all-inclusive soccer organization that fosters on the positive growth of soccer.

Our goal is to work with existing local soccer clubs and organizations. Players that participate with the Junior Rough Riders are encouraged to remain and continue to participate with their local club team and participate with their school soccer team during the year.

All Junior Rough Riders teams are requested to wear their club patch on the left sleeve of their Rough Riders jersey.

We do realize that today’s players are subject to overplay due to various leagues, training and tournaments. As a result, the Rough Riders make every attempt to schedule non-conflicting training sessions, tournaments, scrimmages and games during the year.

Based on the bylaws of the United States Soccer Federation and our professional soccer beliefs, we will not discourage any players from participating with any sanctioned USSF organization.