Pittsburgh Riverhounds Academy
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
Learn it. Live by it.
It is prominently displayed on the crest of one of England’s top clubs, Everton FC. It is their motto. It has been since 1878. It is on each of The Riverhounds Academy shirts.
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum.
Nothing but the best is good enough.
It seems rather demanding…almost pushy. However, in this phrase, we learn a great deal about the club with whom The Riverhounds Academy is honored to be a North American affiliate.
In 2007, the Riverhounds brokered a relationship with Everton Football Club of England. At the time of this deal, The Riverhounds Academy was nothing more than a compilation of notes, in a variety of notepads, scattered around an office. There were no players in the system. Everton, in many respects, took a huge risk in accepting the bid for a relationship. Their other affiliate clubs in North America were strong in number, rich in history, and proven on a national stage. We had nothing more than a vision.
Since inception, The Riverhounds Academy has grown in participation, programming, and value. Each day we strive to analyze the system, in order to find the holes that must be patched up in order to continue the successful growth.
Over the next year, The Riverhounds Academy will prove to be the best developmental system for youth soccer players in Western Pennsylvania for many different reasons. Intelligent investment and long-term strategy will start to shine through what has been, since 2007, a rather “simple” business plan: allow the only professionals in the area to show young players how to properly use a soccer ball rather than telling them of the need to win games.
In my time spent at Finch Farm in Liverpool, England, one thing became evident – nothing but the best is good enough for the Everton Academy. This is the Academy that has developed some of the most valuable players in the world, including Wayne Rooney. This is an Academy that forces their goalkeepers to play the ball out of the back, rather than punt it, so as to teach the team how to efficiently and effectively play out of danger. This is an Academy where winning and losing means much less than player development. This is an Academy competing against many others around the world to produce the next best thing. Any why? Because only the best is good enough! Only the best of players will attract the checkbooks of Manchester United and Real Madrid, and hence, reimburse developmental clubs for those expenses (ie. their youth players).
Yet, it still seems rash and overbearing. What about those players who might not ever be the best? Don’t they deserve the best? Is it fair to “cut” them at age 16, when they’ve been with the club since age 8, leaving them out in the cold? For Everton, and the many other Academies overseas, yes it is. After all, it’s part of their business plan – to produce players with a fantastic ROI. It is extremely costly to bring young players through the Everton Academy, considering the cost to the families involved is $0. In this regard, Everton invests substantial financial capital in these players, only to be recouped if and when that player is signed to a significant pro contract. As a result, Everton must be extremely critical in evaluating their young guns, and must look at them as commodities. Relative to Futures trading practice, these Academies will take a “long” position on the players, hoping to sell them down the line for more than they’ve paid during the course of development.
However, in the United States, it is not an apples to apples comparison. In this country, we must focus on the development of the player in order to bolster the development of the game. It is an injustice to American soccer when a team releases a young player as opposed to moving him or her to a more developmental level where their skills can further advance. It is giving up on that player in hopes of winning a trophy. It is the selfish. It is the reason we lose many players to other sports.
As we progress forward, it should be clear that Nil Satis Nisi Optimum is the mentality of The Riverhounds Academy. It is our Creed. We believe in putting in the time to fill out thorough evaluations for each of our players. We believe in doing everything in our power to design programs for interested players. We believe in a tiered level of development so that players can be tested while maturing in a group that fits their stage in the process. After all, the development of a youth soccer player IS A PROCESS. It is not a run for the State Cup. We believe in taking the time to speak with the players about our own soccer experiences, as pro players. We believe in speaking with the parents before and after sessions, no matter the time. And most importantly, we believe in providing the best for all of our players. After all, Nil Satis Nisi Optimum.
Jason Kutney - Head of Youth Development
