By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
December 20, 2022-The New York Soccer Referees Association (NYSRA) is the oldest referee group in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) as NYSRA was founded 84 years ago back in 1938.
NYSRA honored top referees at its Holiday Party on Thursday night, December 15 at the Gjøa Clubhouse in Brooklyn.
Gurhan Dolgun was honored as the 2022 Referee of the Year. He is center in the above photo with NYSRA President Kambiz Riazi (left) and State Referee Administrator Joe Brosi (right).
“Gurhan not only accepts the assignment but shows up to referee any game,” explained President Riazi. “Always comes on time with a great attitude, putting in the hard work and exceeding expectations when he is on the field.”
He refereed Regionals plus was in the middle for the Flamhaft Cup and Sal Rapaglia Cup finals and served as assistant referee for the Livio D’Arpino Cup finals. Gurhan recently received a promotion as he is NYSRA’s newest Regional Referee.
Lee Suckle, on right in the above photo with President Riazi, received Lifetime Membership, NYSRA’s version of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Lee, the Regional Referee Administrator in the East Region, was honored for his decades of volunteering with NYSRA and mentoring refs to advance to the next level.
Also honored by NYSRA on that cold and rainy night were Tommaso Martello and John McGouran, named Santa’s Helpers for all their resourcefulness and reliability in covering games.
Interested in joining in on all the fun of being a soccer referee? For info on how to become a ref in the New York City metro area or if you have questions, please contact NYSRA Corresponding Secretary Harris Rasheed at secretary@nysoccerrefs.com
With approximately 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 10 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/