USL Rochester Rhinos

Rochester Junior Rhinos Announce Affiliation with SDA

Published on April 30, 2014 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


The Rochester Rhinos have affiliated with Syracuse Development Academy (SDA). The affiliation represents the two clubs first step in a joint effort to continue to compete at the highest level of play for boys and girls youth soccer in the country.

"An affiliation with the Rhinos brings together two of the top programs in New York" said SDA Director of Coaching Phil Wheddon. "The pro and youth organizations of the Rochester Rhinos have a long history of producing top players on both the men's and women's side of the game."

Through the affiliation, SDA and the Rhinos will be working together to form a professional development environment in New York with the highest quality coaches and facilities that will allow top players the opportunity to maximize their potential and get further exposure. SDA Director of Coaching Phil Wheddon and Rochester Rhinos Head Coach Bob Lilley will be among the leaders of the new initiative.

"We are looking forward to joining together with SDA," said Rochester Rhinos President and Chief Operating Officer Pat Ercoli (former Rhinos head coach of SDA coaches Mike Kirmse and Tommy Tanner). "This is a great opportunity for the top players in Rochester and Syracuse to be able to get out of the area and truly compete against some of the top clubs in the country. Our goal is to develop one of the best coaching/training platforms in the nation through this collaboration."

"By bringing our clubs together, the best players will be training and competing together. It is a unique situation that will put men's and women's soccer in this area on par with some of the top clubs in the country" said Wheddon.

SDA and the Junior Rhinos will continue to operate as separate entities. The Rochester Rhinos positive relationships and affiliations will continue to grow across New York State and beyond in order to maximize player development and compete at all levels.

Tryouts for SDA and Rochester Junior Rhinos will be announced this spring and held in July at dates and times to be determined.

For more information on SDA and the Rochester Junior Rhinos, please visit www.syracusedevelopmentacademy.com and www.rhinossoccer.com, respectively.

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