LEADERSHIP
Jesse Aporta
President
japorta@blackriverathletics.com
With two decades of coaching experience in a multitude of youth and amateur sports, from elite levels of youth competition to varsity high school athletics, Jesse founded this company on the belief that fostering self confidence, teamwork, and integrity in players is the key to success both on and off the fields of competition.
M.A. Coaching and Athletic Administration Concordia University Irvine
M.A. Sports Leadership Concordia University Chicago
Dillon Reitberger
Vice President
Dillon@blackriverathletics.com
Dillon was a high level defender in both his youth and semi professional career. As a youth player he competed at the highest levels with several clubs along the East Coast and as a three-year starter in high school, winning a Group IV State Sectional (2015). After high school he went on to graduate with a degree in finance from Temple University, continuing on to work with several Philadelphia based businesses across a number of industries. In addition to working with players and families, Dillon oversees many facets of the day-to-day business operations of the company.
B.A. Temple University
Taylor Genovese
Director of Programming
taylor@blackriverathletics.com
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. He enforces a positive attitude throughout his teachings at a high level. 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
EDimovski@blackriverathletics.com
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.
He was recruited to play collegiately, but while playing in a tournament in the summer of his high school senior year, he suffered a serious knee injury and was a unable to play. 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. It is with that foundational understanding that Coach Ed creates an environment that has a clear vision of opportunities for all players.
Scott Roettger
Director of Black River Sussex
A former semi-pro player with a number of top open men’s side in the Tristate region, Coach Scott is dedicated to imparting his skill and experience on the next generation of players. With a strong technical background and numerous years of working with players of all ages and levels, Scott is committed to helping young athletes achieve their full potential and reach new heights both on and off the field.
Scott’s positive attitude and enthusiasm is infections and he makes learning the game fun and engaging for everyone. As a native of Vernon, beginning his playing career as a youth player in Sussex County travel leagues, he was a 4-year Varsity player at Vernon high school. After a successful youth career he went on to play at Monmouth University.
Our Philosophy
Sport is the greatest conduit for teaching young people the necessary skills that foster success in life. Sport teaches so many valuable lessons that are not just important on a field, rather valuable lessons that translate into skills and traits that will last a lifetime. Team sports, especially soccer, teach players to work as a part of a larger unit for a greater purpose. Soccer, more than any other team sport, asks players to work together to achieve more and teaches both the importance of individual development and the selflessness it takes to be a part of something greater than any one person.
So lets ask the real questions: How do we teach people to deal with loss and persevere? How do we learn from our losses so that in the future, when faced with the same situation, we become victorious? How do we gracefully lose, yet never concede defeat? How do we recognize that losing is an unavoidable byproduct of risk, but a risk that can be managed and controlled? As coaches, we feel that it is important to encourage players to turn weaknesses into strengths, work together to achieve more, and use losses as motivation for future successes. The lessons learned on the field translate into life lessons that help ensure their development as successful adults.
From simply a soccer standpoint, skill development and an endless reinforcement of solid fundamentals is undoubtedly key to player development. Concentration on skill development, sound fundamentals and hard work are a recipe for success. Truth be told, players who work hard in practice to develop sound skills, work hard in the game from kickoff to the final whistle, and play smart and physical ball, are players who will be adults who employ the same work ethic in their jobs, communities, and families.
Player development, especially when discussing younger players, should be focused on developing a player that can play any position. When sound fundamentals are developed, players become more versatile on the field, allowing them to become multi-dimensional and therefore more valuable to the team. While coaches should put players in positions that highlight their strengths and neutralize their weaknesses, it is important to encourage players to strengthen their weaknesses in training and creating opportunities where players can play other positions in game situations.
When we look at our players, we see a group full of future business leaders, community members, doctors, lawyers and the men and women that they will become. Through sport we are helping equip them with the skills they need in order to be successful in life.