The Merrick PAL Sharks Academy B2015 soccer team has been named the 2025 Elite Development Program Boys Team of the Year, recognizing a season of consistent success and strong player development against top regional competition.
The Sharks went undefeated during the fall season and captured the championship at the 2025 Eastern NY Youth Soccer Association Challenge Cup. The team also competed in the North Atlantic League and participated in several regional tournaments, including the Baymen Easter Cup, Hershey Memorial Day Challenge, and the Jefferson Cup in Richmond, Virginia.
Head trainer Manfred Kapper, director of operations for Kapper Soccer, led the team through a year-round training program in partnership with the PAL program, emphasizing discipline, preparation and teamwork.
“The Merrick program represents what can be achieved when a group commits to a shared vision and truly trusts the process,” Kapper said.
He noted that the Sharks regularly faced strong opponents from different leagues and states, creating a competitive environment that challenged players to grow.
“The Merrick Sharks are a clear example of how consistent development and belief in the program lead to real growth and success,” he added.
Kapper also credited families for playing a key role in the team’s accomplishments, pointing to the importance of stability and long-term commitment.
“Success is not driven by players alone,” he said. “Parents play a critical role by understanding the long-term developmental pathway and committing to it. When families trust the environment rather than constantly searching for the ‘next best option,’ players are given the stability they need to grow.”
Merrick PAL Soccer President Skip Haile said the honor reflects the foundation and structure built into the local program.
“The Sharks emphasizes the consistent structure and foundation we’ve implemented into the Merrick Program,” Haile said. “It is proof that hard work and determination make for long-term, high-level performance. I can’t be more proud of these boys and thrilled for the memories they are living. I’d also like to thank Kapper Soccer for taking these boys under their wing and helping them continue to love the game of soccer.”
Over the past three years, Kapper Soccer has trained the Sharks Academy, which includes roughly 40 players across the program. Kapper said that time has helped foster a strong sense of unity and accountability among the athletes.
“What makes the Merrick Sharks special is the strong bond within the group,” he said. “They understand that development is ongoing — on the field, through learning the game, and off the field, through character, responsibility and teamwork.”
Lori Biscardi, Sharks Academy lead administrator, echoed that sentiment, explaining that the team’s chemistry has been central to its success.
“I could not be more proud of this group of boys and everything they’ve accomplished,” Biscardi wrote to the Herald in an email. “Their success on the field is a direct reflection of their hard work, commitment, and the incredible chemistry they share as a team. What makes this team truly special is that they are more than just teammates — they are a family. That shared community creates a bond you can’t manufacture.”
The EDP Boys Team of the Year award honors programs that demonstrate sustained excellence through league, cup and tournament play, as well as sportsmanship and player development. Throughout the season, the Sharks showed consistency, resilience, and the ability to perform in both home and away matches.
Players also demonstrated improvement in decision-making, team cohesion and overall understanding of the game. Families and coaches credited the structured training environment and year-round support for helping the team reach a high regional level.
“This program proves that when a community comes together — players, parents, coaches and supporters — it can compete with, and even excel against, much larger organizations,” Kapper said.
