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Pathway Program introduces Apprenticeship platform

By Riverhounds Staff, 08/15/18, 10:45AM EDT

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PITTSBURGH (August 15, 2018) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Development Academy (RDA) has officially introduced an Apprenticeship platform to serve as an extension to its successful Pathway Program with the professional club for younger members of the RDA.

As the Pathway Program has already welcomed 13 Academy players from the Under-15 to Under-18/19 age groupings into Riverhounds SC professional team training in its first summer, the Apprenticeship platform is designed to introduce select members from the RDA Under-10 through Under-13 into the first-team environment.

This new platform will aim to offer young RDA players an unparalleled level of access to the Riverhounds SC professional team, inviting the players to attend first-team training sessions and games, and involving them directly in all associated team functions. 

“We have always tried to create a special experience for our youth players, introducing first-team players into the RDA as members of the coaching staff,” Sporting Director Jason Kutney said. “This program aims to ignite a fire within our young players, inviting them into the professional environment to grow a deeper understanding of the discipline, intensity, passion and commitment required to perform at the highest levels.”

“The first-team staff continues to look for ways to expose our academy kids to the professional team,” Riverhounds SC head coach Bob Lilley said. “This apprenticeship is another way to cultivate the passion these young, talented kids have for the sport of soccer. Many of our first-teamers were similarly sparked at these impressionable ages.”

Players identified into the Apprenticeship have been selected based upon a variety of factors, namely performance levels, attitude in training and games, discipline and accountability, and growth in maturity. Beginning immediately, players will be notified of their invitation into the Apprenticeship platform starting this week.