With our multi-level program and partnership with the Colorado Rapids, we offer a pathway for every player - from recreational all the way to professional.
- Founded
- 2014
- Ages
- 3–19
- Plays
- Both
- Programs
- 16
Where on the ladder
Level 5 to Level 6
Each level below lists the leagues this club plays in. Your kid's level depends on the team they make. The six levels are our own reading of public league play. They are not an official ranking.
Sanctioned by US Club Soccer and South Dakota Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer). The club also played in NPL. That league ended in July 2026 and merged into National 1, so it does not count above. The club’s site also lists United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA). We have not placed that league on the ladder, so it does not count above.
See how the whole ladder worksCollege & pro pathway
Where the players went next.
We counted these from public commitment lists and trackers, not from the club’s own claims.
The counts come from public commitment trackers, club lists, league records, player pages, and the rosters of 2,244 NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA programs. One player counts once per school. “Division unverified” means we matched the school but could not confirm the program level. We never print a current youth player’s name.
Programs
The programs, age by age
These come from the club's site, grouped the way the club groups them. Your kid starts in the one that fits their age.
First Kicks
3 and 4 year olds
First Kicks is one of the club's recreational programs for its youngest players.
U5/U6
4 year olds to 5 year olds (6 year olds in Spring when kids begin to age up)
The recreational U5/U6 program is for young players who play for the love of the game. Recreational teams generally practice one to two times a week and play a six to eight week schedule in the fall and spring.
U7 to U19
6 year olds up to 18 year olds (19 years old in Spring when kids begin to age up)
The recreational program is for players who play for the love of the game, with volunteer coaches, a six to eight week fall and spring schedule, and generally one to two practices a week. There is no travel in the recreational program.
Center of Excellence (COE)
U6 to U10
The Center of Excellence adds extra, high-quality training alongside a player's recreational season. It bridges the gap between Recreational and Pre-Select programs while developing fundamental foot skills, ball control, dribbling, and 1v1 play.
feeds into Pre-Select
Pre-Academy
U08 - U10 players
The Pre-Academy Program is for competitive U08-U10 players and includes three practices a week: two circuit style-training sessions and one individual team training. Teams play friendly weekend games or compete in 2-3 tournament weekends each season.
Premier
U11 – U19
Premier teams are coached by professionally licensed coaches and follow the Colorado Rapids curriculum. Players train three days a week in fall and spring and one to two days a week in winter indoor Futsal, with competitive tournaments and weekend matches.
Academy
U11/U12, U13/U14, U15/U16, U17-U19
The Academy Program is presented with the Premier & Academy Programs and is described as the club's most competitive program. It is intended for players who want to reach the highest levels of soccer and compete in the most competitive events.
Indoor League
U7 – U19
The Indoor League is a fast, fun, street-soccer-style experience with no coaches or practices, focused on playing the game and having fun. It uses randomly created, coed rosters and games only, with younger teams sometimes receiving a short practice before their first game.
Northern Hills Program
U7-U19
The Northern Hills program serves recreational and competitive players in the northern hills region and provides professional coaching in Spearfish 1-2 days a week and 1-2 days a week in Rapid City. It includes Recreational, Pre-Select, Select, Indoor, and FUNdamentals offerings.
FUNdamentals
U7-U14
FUNdamentals is a Northern Hills winter program listed as Indoor OR FUNdamentals and is coached by professional coaches. It takes place on Sundays in Spearfish.
US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer
U6 through U19 players
TOPSoccer is a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with disabilities. It is designed to bring learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl with a mental or physical disability.
US Youth Soccer
Christmas Camp
Ages 6-14
The Christmas Camp provides individual technique training sessions with Black Hills Rapids professional coaches. It runs December 15-19, 2025, at SD School of Mines Gym.
College Coaches Camp
Birth Year 2015 - College Sophomore Transfers
The College Coaches Camp provides advanced training sessions with some of the region's top college coaches, including sessions for U11-U13, U14+, and goalkeeper groups.
Skills Camp
Ages 5-10
The Skills Soccer Camp focuses on introducing and mastering skills in a fun learning environment through maximum ball contacts, expert coaching, skills challenges, and daily homework assignments.
Black Hills Rapids Summer Camp
Ages 6-13
The Summer Camp targets youth players ages 6-13, including players who are new to soccer as well as competitive, experienced players. It offers all-day and half-day registration options.
Challenger Camp 2026
Challenger Camp 2026 is listed as a Black Hills Rapids camp running July 20-24, 2026.
Coaching
Who coaches here
6 names from the club's own staff page. The titles and licenses are what the club lists.
Joel Mthombeni
Director of Soccer
Dave Sharp
Director of COE
U6 to U10
Kelli Crouse
Pre-Academy Director
U08 - U10
Mike Fairchild
Rec Program Director
Recreational Program
Connor Campbell
NHR DOC
Northern Hills program, U7-U19
Dave Sharp
Director of Youth Camps
Camps
Where they play
11 fields
The fields the club lists as its own. Directions open in Google Maps, so you can check the drive before you sign up.
Black Hills Surgical Sports ComplexPrimary
3737 N. Elk Vale Road, Rapid City, SD 57701
Dakota Fields Soccer Complex
3737 N Elk Vale Road Rapid City
Noordermeer Soccer Field
733 Canyon Lake Dr, Rapid City, SD 57702
Nordemeer at Sioux park
733 Canyon Lake Dr, Rapid City, SD 57702
Cambell Field
1835 Cambell St, Rapid City, SD 57701
West Community Gym
South Community Gym
SD School of Mines Gym
The Monument
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
The Box Events Center
6 fields aren’t located on the map yet.
Fees
What it costs
What the club charges, from its own price list.
$25
Add-ons
processing fee (3%), service fee ($1), Price includes a t-shirt, Price includes $25 tryout fee.
Get in touch
How to reach BHR
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