PITTSBURGH (May 23, 2019) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC professional team and Riverhounds Development Academy (RDA) will team up for its second straight year of the Pathway Program and Apprenticeship Platform.

Beginning on Monday, May 27, the Pathway Program will run into the month of August. The Apprenticeship Platform is scheduled to start in June and run through the end of August.

“We are extremely thankful that the first team staff are providing such an amazing platform for the academy boys,” Academy Director Scott Gibson said. “To train alongside the professional players in that environment will allow them to understand the level and commitment required to make it to that level. This is an outstanding opportunity for their longer-term growth and advancement in the game.”

The Pathway Program integrates select RDA boys, who have been identified as top performers, into the professional team training environment, allowing these young players (U-15 through U 18/19) to build a direct on-field relationship with professional soccer players.

Meanwhile, the Apprenticeship Platform serves as an extension of the Pathway Program, as it is designed for younger RDA boys (U-10 through U-13) to be introduced to a professional team environment.

“The first year of the Pathway Program went well, and we are looking forward to its second year,” head coach Bob Lilley said. “Our professional team staff is excited to work with some returning candidates, in addition to new athletes. We are also looking forward to working with the younger RDA players for our Apprenticeship Platform, which will allow them to witness the professional team environment.”

The RDA has announced additional tryout dates in June. For more information on tryouts, please visit riverhounds.com/tryouts.