Our goal is to foster welcoming, enjoyable, safe, and competitive environments which will assist in the social and physical development for children of all skill levels.
- Ages
- All Ages
- Plays
- Boys & Girls
- Programs
- 15
Where on the ladder
Level 2 to Level 5
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 New Jersey Youth Soccer (US Youth Soccer). The club also played in USYS NL. That league ended in July 2026 and merged into National 1, so it does not count above. The club’s site also lists UPSL Academy, EA. We have not placed those leagues on the ladder, so they do not count above.
See how the whole ladder worksPrograms
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.
MLS GO
ages 4 to 9
MLS GO is a recreational youth soccer program in the Wayne Area for boys and girls regardless of skill level or background. It emphasizes fun, inclusivity, basic skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship, with a no-cut policy.
feeds into MLS NEXT elite academy system
Sportfriends Soccer Academy
Ages 3-8 · 4v4
The academy develops fundamental soccer skills through structured activities, games, and scrimmages. Players train twice weekly and play a simulated season of 4v4 games on weekends.
feeds into competitive participation
Black River x Sportfriends Pre-Club Clinic
Birth Years: 2015 & 2016
The Pre Club program develops ball mastery, passing, and technical and tactical skills while preparing young players for club-level play. No prior experience is required.
feeds into competitive level of participation
EDP and USYS level club teams
Black River’s club teams provide a high-level development program for players seeking to take their game to the next level. The club says its teams are gaining traction and notoriety as up-and-coming teams in the region.
EDP · USYS
UPSL Academy Teams
U13, U15, and U17
Launched in 2023, the UPSL Academy Teams provide enhanced training opportunities, exposure to top-tier competition, and access to professional resources for player growth and development.
UPSL Academy
Summer Skills Clinic
ALL AGES
The Summer Skills program focuses on ball mastery, striking, first touch, passing, footwork, and decision-making. It is designed for players committed to consistent repetition, focused training, and improvement.
Elite Club Level Teams
Black River Athletics offers elite club level teams as part of its services.
Individual and small group training
Black River Athletics offers individual and small group training.
Team training and coaching
Black River Athletics offers team training and coaching with licensed staff.
Group Programming
Black River Athletics offers group programming.
Youth camps and clinics
Black River Athletics offers youth camps and clinics.
Coaching development programs
Black River Athletics offers coaching development programs.
Sports psychology services
Black River Athletics offers sports psychology services.
College recruitment advisement
Black River Athletics offers college recruitment advisement.
Recruitment and highlight film editing
Black River Athletics offers recruitment and highlight film editing.
Coaching
Who coaches here
2 names from the club's own staff page. The titles and licenses are what the club lists.
Taylor Genovese
Director of Programming
As a player, Taylor was skilled and technical throughout the field. He brings an expertise in skill development, tactical awareness, and knowledge about the game that helps develop all of those around him. As a youth player, under the coaching of Tab Ramos, he gained his first international playing experience against youth academies with Estudiantes, River Plate, and Boca Juniors. After a successful youth career he went on to play at Thomas College. After graduation Taylor continued his playing career in Germany, England, Columbia, Argentina and Peru.
B.A. Thomas College
Edward Dimovski
Coach Ed
Growing up Coach Ed played his youth soccer with Kearny Thistle and New York/New Jersey cosmopolitan soccer leagues. Rising through the youth program and earning several honors, he was selected to play by USNT and US Olympic team soccer coach Manford Schellscheidt to represent the US in the Gothia Cup “World Youth Cup” and other tournaments in Sweden and Russia. After graduating Coach Ed played four years of semi professional soccer with Macedonia SC in the NESSL and still actively plays today. Coach Ed believes teamwork is more effective and natural when athletes become focused on developing team skills together, rather than individually.
Where they play
5 fields
The fields the club lists as its own. Directions open in Google Maps, so you can check the drive before you sign up.
Sportfriends 7v7 Turf Field
1 Ryerson Avenue, Wayne, NJ · Turf
Alps Road Park
Sportfriends Facility
Sportfriends SC Complex
1 Ryerson Ave, Wayne, NJ
Alps Road Complex
1530 Alps Road, Wayne, NJ
2 fields aren’t located on the map yet.
Fees
What it costs
What the club charges, from its own price list.
Get in touch
How to reach Black River
Is Black River the right move for your kid?
Tell us about your kid and we’ll rank this club against every other option inside your drive time, on level, cost, and where its players end up.