Our Mission

Joubert Derival founded Rise Up Sports in the summer of 2004 with a mission to make a positive impact in the world through sports. Inspired by the words of Nelson Mandela, “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does,” Joubert built Rise Up Sports to do exactly that—bring people together, inspire growth, and create lasting impact.

Joubert also serves as the Track & Field Director. With over a decade of coaching experience, he has guided athletes of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to collegiate standouts. As the former Head Men’s and Women’s Cross Country & Track Coach at Nyack College, he helped athletes achieve record-breaking performances, earn All-Conference and All-Region honors, and grow in confidence both on and off the track.

Eric Rios, our Volleyball Director and NY Operations Lead, began his coaching career at Downstate Juniors Volleyball Club (JVBC), where he served as the head coach of the 15U Mystics Regional team in Somers and directed the youth recreational league.

Following his time at Downstate, Eric worked as an Operations Lead with Skyhawks Sports Academy, facilitating multi-sport camps throughout Dutchess and Rockland County. He also dserved as the Lead Volleyball Coach for Carmel Sports Club.

Eric brings a high level of energy and enthusiasm to every program, while creating an environment where kids feel empowered, supported, and encouraged to grow.

Lila brings a strong background in athletics and performance, with experience across multiple sports including soccer, cheerleading, basketball, volleyball, and dance. Through these experiences, she developed a high level of discipline, commitment, and attention to detail.

In her role as an Operations Lead for Shasta County NY, Lila supports the coordination and execution of programs, manages day-to-day logistics, and helps create a structured, positive environment for both staff and participants.

Passionate about youth development, Lila is committed to helping young athletes grow in confidence both on and off the field, while working toward her long-term goal of serving her community through a career in law enforcement.

Jeffrey Merejo is a dedicated Marketing student at Alfred University, where he also pursues a minor in Business Analytics. With a strong passion for strategic communication, data-driven decision-making, and consumer behavior, Jeff is committed to building his career starting with his internship at Rise Up Sports.

Jeff brings a unique blend of creativity and analytical thinking to every project, consistently seeking opportunities to learn. In addition to studying marketing he has a rich history or working with kids so he knows what it's like to be on the front lines of our programs and has been a favorite with the parents! We look forward to having Jeff on our team this season and look forward to the impact he will have.