Nino Pilato Rochester, NY
Tour Director & Head Coach
Nino Pilato is a highly accomplished coach and educator whose career reflects a deep commitment to excellence, player development, and championship-level success.
Coach Pilato is currently serving as the Head Varsity Girls Soccer Coach at Kendall High School, and the Director of WNY Flash Rochester. Coach Pilato has built a reputation as one of the top high school coaches in New York State. Prior to Kendall, he coached at Hilton High School, has also led the program at McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester, where, over six seasons, his teams compiled an outstanding 90-7-4 record, captured three Section V Championships, and reached the New York State Finals twice, winning the State Championship in 2017.
Before his tenure at McQuaid, Coach Pilato spent 17 highly successful years at Odyssey Academy in Greece, New York. During that time, his teams won eight Sectional Championships (2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014), made four appearances in the New York State Finals, and captured the State Championship in 2012.
His excellence on the sidelines has been widely recognized. Coach Pilato has earned Monroe County Division III Coach of the Year honors six times, along with multiple Section V Coach of the Year awards across several classifications. He was also named Section V All-Greater Rochester Coach of the Year in 2005, 2012, and 2017.
A former standout player, Coach Pilato was a four-year starter and All-American sweeper at Canisius College. Following his collegiate career, he played professionally for four years in both Europe and the United States, bringing valuable international experience to his coaching philosophy.
Off the field, Coach Pilato is a dedicated educator, serving as a physical education instructor in the Rochester City School District for the past 27 years. He is also a devoted family man, married with two children.
Bill Rich
Vestal, New York
Tour Director & Head Coach
Bill Rich is one of the most accomplished and respected coaches in junior college soccer, with a career defined by sustained excellence, player development, and championship success.
As the longtime Head Women’s Soccer Coach at SUNY Broome Community College (1997–2022), Coach Rich built a national powerhouse program. Over 25 seasons, his teams compiled an extraordinary 353-88-14 record, capturing 15 MSAC Conference Championships, 5 Regional Championships, and 3 NJCAA National Championships (2007, 2008, 2016).
His leadership earned him the sport’s highest honors, including NJCAA National Coach of the Year in 2007, the same year his team produced the National Player of the Year. Throughout his career, Coach Rich has been recognized repeatedly for his excellence, earning Conference Coach of the Year honors 13 times and Regional Coach of the Year 8 times.
A true developer of talent, his program has produced 34 All-Americans, along with numerous All-Region and All-Conference players who have gone on to succeed at higher levels.
Beyond the collegiate game, Coach Rich has made a significant impact in player development through his work with Olympic Development Programs. He served as a New York State West ODP U-17 Girls Coach for four years and as a Binghamton District ODP Coach for seven years. Earlier in his career, he spent seven years coaching within the Vestal High School system.
Coach Rich holds prestigious coaching credentials, including the NSCAA National Diploma, NSCAA Regional Diploma, and a USSF “C” Lifetime License.
For more than three decades, Bill has been a valued representative of EuroSports Network, leading Section IV teams on international tours across Europe—creating transformative experiences both on and off the field.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the game, Coach Rich was inducted into the Greater Binghamton Sports Hall of Fame (2023) and the NJCAA Hall of Fame (2024).
Mike Balducci
The Founder of EuroSports Network
Mike Balducci brings a distinguished legacy of excellence in youth soccer development and international competition. As the former Head Varsity Coach at Greece Arcadia and Greece Athena High Schools in Rochester, New York, Coach Balducci built one of the most successful programs in Section V history.
Over the course of his coaching career, his teams captured 12 league championships, 7 Section V titles, and made 4 appearances in the New York State Finals, securing 2 State Championships. He compiled an outstanding overall record of 274 wins, 52 losses, and 43 ties, reflecting both consistency and competitive excellence at the highest level of high school soccer.
A respected figure in the sport, Coach Balducci has been inducted into both the Section V Soccer Hall of Fame and the New York State Soccer Hall of Fame.
With deep family roots in Italy and a lifelong connection to the game, Mike offers a unique understanding of European soccer culture. In 1987, he founded the All-County Soccer Team Program, creating opportunities for young athletes to travel, compete, and grow internationally. Through long-standing partnerships with European soccer foundations and clubs, he has helped generations of players experience the game at a global level.
Our Commitment
At EuroSports Network, we are dedicated to delivering an experience that goes far beyond the field. Our tours are thoughtfully designed to combine elite soccer development with meaningful cultural immersion, creating a truly once-in-a-lifetime journey for every participant.
Players have the opportunity to train and compete against top European competition while working with highly qualified local coaches who bring authenticity and expertise to every session. These experiences are structured not only to elevate performance, but to deepen understanding of the global game.
Equally important is the cultural dimension. Participants explore historic cities, experience world-renowned landmarks, and engage directly with local communities. Along the way, they build lasting friendships, gain new perspectives, and create memories that extend well beyond the final whistle. We invite you to explore our tour offerings and discover the unique blend of competition, culture, and connection that defines the EuroSports Network experience.