Youth training in Rhode Island has taken a leap with “NextPlay Training,” led by two in-state men’s soccer student athletes.
Fourth-year University of Rhode Island defender Joey Turco and third-year midfielder Connor Froberg began preparations for their soccer training company, NextPlay Training, during the fall of 2024 and were able to start camps in the spring of 2025.
“Talent wasn’t something I was blessed with,” Turco said. “Not having a lot of talent, I had to work hard and do extra reps after practice. Working hard through my playing experience gave me the idea to help kids and start my training business.”
In their first year, nearly 200 players registered for NextPlay Training’s “Summer Kicks,” and Turco and Froberg took the time to learn about the business and marketing side of running a training business.
“It felt like we put the league together in a day,” Turco said. “We didn’t have a lot of preparation, but we still ended up with just under 200 sign-ups. Fast forward 12 months, and you have proper marketing, you have a real team around you, and the busy market starts to come in.”
Summer Kicks is a weekly summer league in South County where players aged from first grade to ninth grade compete in 4-on-4 small-sided soccer games. This year, the sign-up numbers rose by 70%, with 340 players signing up for the summer league.
“We are excited to build this thing into the fun program that we believe everybody in Rhode Island deserves,” Turco said. “We had more of a marketing strategy this summer centered around what we are going to promote. Connor has a great reputation, and we try to value that. We value playing hard, working together, having a good attitude and being a great teammate.”
Through the success of Summer Kicks, several parents around South County have learned about the program and immediately got their children involved.
“My kids play South County Youth Soccer, and have since they were little,” Ray LeBlanc said. “We were made aware last year and jumped all over it. It’s all about fun and fun competition. Giving them an opportunity to play soccer without a lot of pressure, stakes and just make it fun, and that is what I value.”
Turco has also recruited some of his former URI teammates to coach at Summer Kicks, as well as third-year Rhode Island women’s soccer defender Maeve Matthews.
“I was given the opportunity by NextPlay to coach a youth girls team, and after that season, I encouraged them to sign up for Summer Kicks,” Matthews said. “Joey and Connor do a phenomenal job with it. Everything is super organized, and they love the community. The increase in sign-ups goes to show how well they have run this camp.”
Turco and Froberg are continuing to make strides with their business and grow NextPlay Training, with more private training sessions to come after the summer season. To learn more about Summer Kicks, visit the NextPlay Training website.
