As part of its ongoing commitment to innovation in player development, Red Bull New York Youth Programs has officially launched a new comprehensive Age Group Curriculum which has been launched in Spring of this year.
The initiative integrates three core components: a Tactical Game Model, a Technical Benchmarking Guide, and a progressive library of Seasonal Development Plans forming a unified roadmap for players between the ages of 8 and 15.
The framework aligns every level of the RBNY Player Development Pyramid, from grassroots programs beginning as early as age eight, through the Academy, and ultimately to the professional teams competing in MLS and MLS NEXT Pro. The objective is to create a consistent developmental language and structure that supports players and coaches across all stages.
Dave Jervis, Head of Red Bull New York Youth, and Max DuBane, Senior Manager of Coach Development, officially introduced the New Curriculum at the 2026 Youth Soccer Summit on March 1 at Sports Illustrated Stadium, where more than 300 coaches and youth soccer leaders were in attendance.
“Red Bull has a distinct footprint in the world of soccer, built on a clear style with global impact. Aligning all levels is a crucial step to continue innovating and impacting youth development,” said Jervis.
“Our club is currently at a historic moment, with many players who came through our Academy and Youth structure making an impact at the professional level, including the first team. It’s important to capitalize on this momentum and continue innovating for the next generation of players,” he added, referencing the club’s early success during the 2026 MLS season.
Under Head Coach Michael Bradley, Red Bull New York became the first team in MLS history to start three players under the age of 17 in the same lineup this season. On Matchday 2, Julian Hall (17) scored in a sequence involving Matthew Dos Santos (17) and Adri Mehmeti (16), marking the first MLS goal combination featuring three players aged 17 and under.
This strong connection between youth development and first team reflects the broader philosophy across the Red Bull global network, led by Global Head of Soccer Jürgen Klopp.
Bradley, along with RBNY Head of Sport Julian de Guzman and General Manager Marc de Grandpré, served as keynote speakers during the Youth Soccer Summit, further reinforcing the connection between youth development and first team success. Sean McCafferty, Director of Academy and Pro Player Pathway, was also in attendance.
“With this new curriculum structure, a player who joins the Red Bull youth system, whether through a partner club, camp, or clinic, is immediately introduced to the culture, language, and playing principles that define Red Bull’s footballing identity,” said DuBane during his presentation.
“A player entering a competitive Red Bull program at age 8 or 9 progresses through a structured, player-centered curriculum built on shared terminology and clear developmental benchmarks. Our objective is to guide players through a progressive framework that enhances tactical understanding, technical execution, and cognitive growth across all ages and playing formats.”
The curriculum is designed to connect the club’s soccer identity with the daily training environment throughout the local partner clubs regionally. By organizing learning around clear playing principles and age-appropriate objectives, coaches are able to deliver training sessions that reflect the demands of the game while supporting long-term player development.
From 7v7 through the first two years of 11v11, players accumulate nearly 500 hours of structured training during some of the most formative years of their development. A clearly structured methodology, alongside a well-defined game model, ensures that players are exposed to learning opportunities unique to each level.
“It is essential that those hours are guided by clear principles and measurable technical benchmarks,” said Juan Figueira, Manager of Coach Development, who collaborated on the project alongside DuBane, particularly defining the Game Model piece and designing the session plans integrated into the curriculum.
“Our model includes a library of 144 sessions designed to help players internalize the details of our playing principles through repeated exposure to game situations. Even if a player’s pathway eventually takes them in a different direction, the objective is that they leave the Red Bull system with a strong technical foundation and a clear understanding of the game,” he adds.
Additional members of the coaching staff and RBYP management team who contributed to this project include Enzo Bertolotti, who broke down 71 playing techniques in a systematic way that allowed for the creation of the Technical Benchmarking Guide.
Each technique includes a clear definition and subsequent coaching points that facilitate the coaching and pedagogical process. The idea behind this guide is that players and coaches gain proficiency and competency in essential techniques by a certain age.
Moreover, U12 Foundation Phase Academy coach and Manager of Coach Development Artjon Dibra, was instrumental in providing guidance to adjust the complexity of the Academy’s Game Model to a simpler format appropriate for grassroots players.
The new Age Group Curriculum represents a long-term investment in clarity, consistency, and identity, ensuring that every player within the Red Bull pathway experiences a development process aligned with the club’s philosophy and competitive ambitions.
