Name another sport, and you will find that there are countless opportunities on Long Island for those athletes to improve and develop their skillset, gain exposure, and travel to play in national events with the best and against the best. This Long Island Elite program is that for FOOTBALL. The volunteers of this organization work tirelessly to feed the ambitions of children who live, eat, and breathe football. The Elite National Team Program develops young football players, and gives them the same opportunities in football as they might have in Lacrosse, Soccer, or another sport. This type of football program is not a new concept, it’s only new to Long Island. There are countless success models in the powerhouse football states. Two great examples are Connecticut 5 Star Elite and Massachusetts Elite. Mass Elite has won numerous National Championships.

Name another sport, and you will find that there are countless opportunities on Long Island for those athletes to attend year-round camps, clinics, and gain training. You have programs like SUSA and Red Bulls in Soccer, Team 91 and Express in Lacrosse…… THIS program is that for FOOTBALL. The Long Island Elite National Team program brings together the top talent in the region to compete in National events. We offer clinics, camps, and year round training opportunities to cultivate players and help them achieve excellence. Our teams play Fall, Spring, Summer, and Winter Football. Long Island Elite Football is your one stop program for becoming the best football player you can be. It is the home of EXCELLENCE! There are numerous year-round training opportunites for players through our coaches at Revolution Athletics, Athletic Movement Protocol (AMP), Superior Athletics, and PEAK Performance. There are all sorts of player development opportunities in our program, and most of them are also open to the public.

There are no tryouts for most of our clinics, training camps, combines, and other developmental programs, they are open to the public. The Long Island Elite National Team program is very competitive and does require tryouts. 

Most camps and clinics are open to the public. They are not mandatory for current National Team players however they are strongly encouraged. The year-round National Team program offers players who are serious about football additional opportunities to hone their craft, gain exposure, and compete at a higher level throughout the year. Players can choose which opportunities they want to take advantage of. Some of the camps and clinics have a fee attached, and some are free for National Team players. Most National Team players participate in all of the events.

Some of our events are free, others have an associated cost and are noted accordingly. When compared to the handful of other programs who try and do what we have been doing for 15 years, we believe we provide maximum competency and value. We have a significant need-based scholarship program and no player has ever turned away for financial reasons. The tryout fee for the Long Island Elite National Team there is $100 and includes multiple tryouts and the top coaching in the region. If you make the team there is a separate registration fee that covers your uniform, player gear package, and all of the events. It is more costly than “community ball”, but a fraction of what a similar program costs in Lacrosse, Soccer, or Basketball. 

These are hands down the best players in Long Island and Metro NY playing the highest level of football in their age group. We have been doing this over 15 years, often taking 8 or more teams out of state to compete against the best teams in the country. There are daddy coached teams every year that try and emulate us and they are gone when their kids age out. Programs come and go that claim to do what we do better, cheaper, bigger. The Long Island Elite National Teams program is often imitated but never duplicated. LIE495 holds tryouts and selects the best players in all of Long Island per age group. These players are chosen to represent Long Island in various national events. The most popular of these events is the New Year’s Bowl in San Antonio, Texas in January. There are other events including the annual Liberty Challenge that the teams participate in throughout the year. This is the highest level of football in Long Island.

Tryouts usually take place in late summer/early fall. There is one tryout date and sometimes additional tryouts are added. Locations in the past have been St Anthony’s HS, Stonybrook University, St. John the Baptist High School, Long Island University Post, Chaminade High School, Holy Trinity HS, Long Island Lutheran HS, Kellenberg High School, William Floyd, and John J. Burns Park. Check the Tryouts section of our website for the most up-to-date information.

There is a one-time tryout fee of $100 and you may attend all of them. Measure up against the best competition on Long Island, and gain exposure to high school & college coaches. Tryouts are not only a chance to make the team, but also a great opportunity to receive coaching and honest feedback.

Practices start in the fall. The biggest event is the New Year’s Bowl in San Antonio, Texas which takes place in January. There is usually a 1 week break after the regular fall football season ends, and we then shoot to have at least 10-15 practices before the New Year’s Bowl in January. Practices are held at at various fields on Long Island. Be prepared to travel if you make this team. These are special teams, not your town team, and travel is required. Lacrosse and Soccer players travel up one end of the island and down the other, and very often out of state. The commitment level for this football program is no different.

The National Teams practice almost exclusively outdoors. Occasionally there are indoor practices. Sometimes the indoor fees are covered by LIE495, and sometimes the fee is broken up and absorbed by the players.

There is a registration fee if you make the Long Island Elite National Team. It includes:

> Skill development by paid professional coaches.

> Major exposure and showcase opportunity for players

> Includes full premium sublimated SEC style uniform

> 30+ practices with highest caliber coaching staff

> The Liberty Challenge game in June

> Tentatively scheduled showcase games throughout the year

> New Year’s Bowl in San Antonio, Texas in January

Players are responsible for providing their own shoulder pads and helmet, travel, lodging, and meal expenses. We are always pushing for volume discounts and combined incentives for lodging, meals, and mass transit on coach buses. As our organization grows in sponsorship we will be looking for the possibility to subsidize travel and lodging for coaches and players.

Our registration fee is a fraction of the cost of comparable programs in Lacrosse and Soccer. We believe in the value of what we deliver, if you’re indecisive about the price this program is not for you.

Tryout results and invites are sent on a “rolling” basis throughout the year. You will only receive notification if you made the team. If you do not make the team you may return for tryouts the following year.

Your head coach will decide which position you will play on the team and whether or not you play offense, defense, or in rare cases both. You may be selected for the position you normally play on your town team, or the coach might plug you into a different role on the national team. Most players play on one side of the ball, and in rare cases some play on both. There are no guarantees. By accepting your invitation you agree to fulfill whatever responsibilities the head coach asks of you, and to the best of your ability.

Here on our website.

Nearly all of our players are multi-sport athletes and we encourage that. Our intention is not to have kids banging pads all year, but to offer year-round opportunities for football increasing football skills — similar to what you see in lacrosse, basketball, etc. Soccer has ODP, PDP, and of course lax has a very long list of activities to participate in. This is that for football.

Players provide their own equipment for tryouts. If they make the team they need to provide their own shoulder pads, and helmet. 

Usually the games and tournaments have nominal admissions fees. Teams receive five complimentary wristbands for their coaches. All other coaches, staff, and families pay an admittance fee at the gate (usually $10 depending on the event). This fee is good for the entire event. Everyone must have a wristband for admittance.

Some of the clinics are free, others have a fee associated with them. Fees will cover the cost of any permits, uniforms, etc and will be reasonable. Long Island Elite is a private for-profit business. We are looking to keep costs down and where possible subsidize costs through sponsorship and fundraising. The costs associated with this program do not nearly compare to the costs of similar opportunities in soccer and lacrosse.

The popularity of our program has grown tremendously. With that we’ve seen a great deal of talent and often field more than one team in an age group if the directors feel the talent pool and attendance at tryouts is sufficient enough to do so. No. Not everyone makes the team. Players are selected by a team of coaches with broad experience from the youth through professional level. We can see over 100 players try out per age group. There is no steadfast number for final roster counts, but they are usually in the mid 20’s. Players who do not make the program are encouraged to participate in the year-round developmental program which is open to everyone.

We are always on the lookout for the best coaches. We are also always looking for volunteers to help grow the organization including team moms, managers, recruiters, trainers, nutritionists, doctors, and more. Apply here.