What ages and program levels does Black Hills Rapids offer?First Kicks serves three- and four-year-olds; recreational soccer runs from U5/U6 through U19 with volunteer coaches and local play. Center of Excellence adds optional training for U6–U10 recreational players. Pre-Select is for competitive U8–U10 players. Select and NPL cover U11–U19 with professional coaching and heavier travel and tournament schedules. An indoor league welcomes U7–U19 for games without regular practices, and Northern Hills mirrors recreational and competitive options for Spearfish-area families.
Black Hills Rapids Soccer Club
Rapid City, South Dakota
About
Black Hills Rapids Soccer Club is a Rapid City, South Dakota youth soccer organization that runs programming from introductory First Kicks through high-school-age competitive teams. Recreational soccer emphasizes community play with volunteer coaches, local games, and no travel league requirement, while competitive tracks add professional coaching, heavier training loads, and regional tournament play. The club also operates a Northern Hills program that blends Spearfish and Rapid City training for families in that corridor.
What the club offers
Recreational soccer spans roughly ages three through under-nineteen, grouped as First Kicks for three- and four-year-olds, U5/U6, and combined U7–U19 divisions. Seasons typically run about six to eight weeks in fall and spring, with most teams practicing one or two evenings per week and younger divisions often playing on Saturdays. Volunteer coaches lead recreational teams; parents who volunteer to coach can receive a refund of their child’s registration fee. Center of Excellence (COE) gives U6–U10 recreational players optional extra weekly training focused on fundamentals and confidence with the ball. Pre-Select serves competitive U8–U10 players with about three professionally coached sessions per week in fall and spring, weekend friendlies or two to three tournament weekends per season, and breaks built into the calendar. Select covers U11–U19 with licensed coaches, training about three days per week in fall and spring plus indoor futsal-style work in winter, three or four tournaments per season, weekend league games, college-showcase exposure for older players, and a National Premier League tier at higher yearly dues. A separate indoor league offers U7–U19 games-only “street soccer” style play through roughly late fall with no regular practices.
Geography, facilities, and Northern Hills
Primary outdoor hubs include the Black Hills Surgical Sports Complex (3737 N. Elk Vale Road, Rapid City) for many recreational ages and Cambell Field; U13–U19 recreational play also uses Noordermeer at Sioux Park (733 Canyon Lake Drive). Indoor training and league games rotate among Rapid City venues such as The Monument, West and South Community Gyms, and other gym spaces the club uses for winter play. The Northern Hills program supports U7–U19 recreational and competitive players around Spearfish and Rapid City with professional coaching on a split weekly schedule depending on the track.
Registration rhythm and costs
Spring recreational registration for 2026 opens January 1, with early-bird pricing through February 15, 2026, before higher rates apply for most divisions; First Kicks spring early-bird registration is $70, U5/U6 starts at $80 early ($100 after the deadline), U7/U8 at $90 ($110 after), U9/U10 and U11/U12 at $100 ($120 after), and U13 through U19 at $115 ($135 after). Online checkout adds about a three percent processing fee plus a one dollar service fee, and recreational refunds stop after March 31, 2026, for that spring cycle. Center of Excellence spring sessions are priced at $75 per player for U5–U10 with the same checkout fees. Pre-Select yearly dues are $510 or $300 for a half-year option for U8–U10, including a $25 tryout fee in the total. Select yearly club tuition is $690 for U11–U19 and NPL is $990 for the same ages, each including a $25 tryout fee, with the same processing and service fees at checkout; high school seniors who have participated in Rapids programs for the prior two years may qualify for a $345 discount subject to verification. The standalone indoor league was priced at $80 per player including a league shirt for the 2025 season, with similar checkout fees.
Coaching standards and competitive aims
Select and Pre-Select staff follow the Colorado Rapids curriculum and are expected to keep advancing through national licensing plus club-led coaching education. Select teams target top showcase events where appropriate, South Dakota State Championship play, and US Soccer Regional Championship or President’s Cup routes for U13 and older, with roster sizes and tournament picks varying by team ability. Player commitment is required for Select rosters.
Inclusion, scholarships, and how families stay informed
Recreational players are expected to receive roughly half of each game in playing time under rec guidelines. Need-based recreational scholarship paperwork goes to kroberts@blackhillsrapids.com. Schedules and coach messages run through the SportsEngine app; the club also uses its Facebook presence for quick weather and closure updates. General correspondence mail goes to Black Hills Rapids, PO Box 273, Rapid City, SD 57709. Office hours are limited; email info@blackhillsrapids.com to schedule an appointment.
Explore more teams
Compare Black Hills Rapids Soccer Club with other youth soccer options in your area before making a decision. These directory links make it easier to review local clubs, broader South Dakota programs, and nearby team options in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the club train and play?Outdoor home bases include the Black Hills Surgical Sports Complex on North Elk Vale Road and Noordermeer at Sioux Park for older recreational divisions, plus Cambell Street fields in Rapid City. Indoor work and the recreational indoor league use Rapid City gym venues such as West and South Community Gyms and The Monument. Northern Hills teams split time between Spearfish and Rapid City depending on age and program.
When does recreational registration open and how do seasons run?Spring 2026 recreational registration opens January 1. Fall recreational registration has opened June 1 in recent cycles. Recreational fall and spring blocks last about six to eight weeks with practices typically one or two nights per week. For exact league calendars each season, watch SportsEngine announcements and registration openings or email info@blackhillsrapids.com.
What do recreational, Pre-Select, Select, and NPL cost?Spring 2026 recreational fees use early-bird pricing through February 15, 2026—First Kicks $70, U5/U6 $80 (then $100), U7/U8 $90 (then $110), U9 through U12 $100 (then $120), and U13 through U19 $115 (then $135)—plus about three percent processing and one dollar service fee at checkout. Center of Excellence spring sessions are $75 for U5–U10 players with the same fees at checkout. Pre-Select is $510 for a full year or $300 for a half year for U8–U10, including a $25 tryout fee. Select is $690 per year and NPL is $990 per year for U11–U19, each including a $25 tryout fee and the same checkout fees; verified high school seniors with two prior Rapids years may receive a $345 discount. The separate indoor league was $80 per player including a shirt for 2025 with similar checkout fees.
How do tryouts work for competitive teams?Pre-Select, Select, and NPL rosters use tryouts; annual program fees already include a $25 tryout fee. Signup windows for the next seasonal cycle are announced as each year approaches—when registration opens, complete the tryout enrollment and follow SportsEngine updates from coaching staff for schedules and placement.
What is the coaching approach for competitive players?Select and Pre-Select coaches are professionally licensed, follow the Colorado Rapids curriculum, and continue education through national courses and ongoing club-led coach education. Training stresses technical quality, appropriate rest blocks, college recruitment support for older players, and event choices that match each team’s level.
How can families register, get help paying fees, or reach the club?Create a SportsEngine account and register through the club’s online forms for each program. Recreational scholarship requests go to kroberts@blackhillsrapids.com. Email info@blackhillsrapids.com for office appointments or general questions, and mail correspondence to PO Box 273, Rapid City, SD 57709.
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